Little A: And the Magic Shoes

By John Chipley

If you have ever had a really bad teacher, then you are going to love this book. In this book, Little A tells us about Ms. Wilma. Ms. Wilma starts off as the worst teacher Little A ever had. She was his sixth-grade teacher. However, as you read the book, you and Little A will discover why Ms. Wilma is so mean. You will also discover that she has a secret. Little A and his friends discover Ms. Wilmas secret and try to help her.

This Little A book is full of surprises. Little As curiosity gets him in a lot of trouble. In this book, three boys disappear. In this book, the community of Binghamton comes to the rescue of Little A. And in this book, just when you think you know what is about to happen, it doesnt happen. This book doesnt end until the very last word.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546236115

John Chipley

Shirley Nelson Kersey, Ph.D. Readers of the books of fiction featuring Little A, a boy living in the projects of Memphis, are instantly aware that the writer is eminently qualified to focus on this young hero. Only a person who has taught in the inner city schools is able to create a fictional, yet realistic account of the life of a youngster struggling to find himself in this environment. John Chipley, whom the boys fondly have dubbed Mr. Chip, taught in Memphis inner-city schools for over fifteen years. In retirement he offers weekly volunteer sessions that focus on encouraging boys to read. This is a lofty goal, for the boys live in homes and neighborhood environments not structured to develop reading skills or dreams of career advancement. Mr. Chip’s goal surpasses development of reading ability to encourage the boys to enjoy this privilege. Chipley is formally prepared to teach, for he holds both Bachelor and Master of Education degrees. However, the most memorable aspect of his classroom presence is his heart. He cares deeply about each one of his students and is there for them both now and in the future. Through the persona of Little A, Chipley gives the boys a fictional character with whom they can identify. Little A’s life style echoes theirs. While reading this series of books, the boys witness someone they can relate to. Little A is a wonderful fictional character full of wisdom, character, adventure, and confidence.

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© 2018 John Chipley. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/29/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5462-3612-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-3611-5 (e)

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Little A Books

Little A books are part of the Starfish Ministry, an inner-city ministry of Germantown United Methodist Church.

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The Treehouse Writers club,

Binghampton Christian Academy.

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Urban Ministry Initiative,

Memphis, Tennessee.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter #1

Chapter #2

Chapter #3

Chapter #4

Chapter #5

Chapter #6

Chapter #7

Chapter #8

Chapter #9

Chapter #10

Chapter #11

Postscript:

Introduction

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This is a story about a 12 yr. old boy, ‘Little-A’, who lived in an upper middle class section of Memphis known as Mid-Town. Mid-Town is a neighborhood close to the heart of Memphis. It is a neighborhood full of beautiful old restored homes, manicured lawns, large front porches, and the perfume of magnolias and azaleas scenting the air as you walk down the sidewalk. It is a place where neighbors always have time to stop and talk, and children play as if every house is their house and every adult is their parent. It is a quiet neighborhood, locked forever in a quieter time. Two doors down from where Little-A lived, lived a 100 year old black man, who lived with his adult daughter. As a boy, the old man grew up across town in the projects of Memphis, a high crime section known as Binghampton.

This story is about the relationship between the boy and the old man. It is also a story within a story. When the old man was a boy, his street name was Boom-Boom. His first love was basketball. His second love was just to survive. In this story, the old man tells the boy about what it was like growing up in Binghampton, and the magic he discovered hidden in a pair of white tennis shoes that made him famous.

Chapter #1

Mr. Boom-Boom

Mr. Boom-Boom might have been the oldest man in Memphis. My dad told me that he was over 100 yrs old. He lived in Midtown with his adult daughter, just two doors down from my house. My dog, George, and I passed his house every day on our way to school, or to play basketball. He was always sitting on his front porch, just watching people walk by. He never said a word. He never waved. He just sat there, watching.

George liked Mr. Boom-Boom. Every time we went past his house old George waged his tail like crazy. George was a very good judge of character. Old George was part pit bull, part lab, and, well, part of almost every breed of dog. George went wherever I went. It’s always been that way with George and me. I found him at the animal shelter just one day before they were going to put him to sleep. The man there told me that the dog’s name was George, and an elderly couple left him there when they had to move to an old folk’s home. George was an old dog, but had eyes that were young and could talk. George saw me and told me he needed a home. Dad always said I could have a dog once I reached the age of twelve. Well, last month I turned twelve, so I took