The Obstacle Course

By: J. F. Freedman

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Synopsis: A disadvantaged kid struggles to rise above his circumstances in a New York Times–bestselling author&’s &“poignant, honest, and thoroughly memorable&” novel (Dorothy Allison, author of Bastard out of Carolina). It&’s 1957, and fifteen-year-old Roy Poole has again been awakened by the nightly argument between his mother, his sister, and his hard-drinking father. Roy sneaks away after the old man passes out, and hitches a ride to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, to use its brutal obstacle course, which he can run better than most midshipmen. Whenever he&’s navigating the ropes, gullies, and jumps, Roy finds that he&’s able to leave his troubles behind. Roy&’s dream is to join the Academy as a midshipman, but after years of bad grades and mishaps, Annapolis is a long shot. When a chance encounter with a retired admiral sets him on the path to a better life, Roy will face his greatest obstacle yet.