Shadow Boxer Summary and Teaching Applications

Shadow Boxer, Lynch’s debut novel, was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. The book tells the story of George and his little brother Monty who struggle to learn about life and family after their father, a boxer, dies of boxing-related injuries. George, as the older brother, finds himself promoted to man of the house while in middle school, and struggles to impart the lessons he learned from his father and from his own experiences to Monty. Most of these life lessons are framed through boxing and taught in the boys’ makeshift ring, and George takes his responsibility to train and protect Monty extremely seriously. As the younger son, Monty had less interaction with the boys’ father and decides that he wants to follow his father’s path into the boxing ring. George must learn that part of loving is letting go, and that he must allow Monty to make mistakes and to fail before Monty can find himself and his passions. The book deals with themes such as love, familial relationships, responsibility, character, child abuse, and the loss of a parent.

Shadow Boxer is geared toward a middle school audience, though struggling high school readers could enjoy the book as well. This book could be used as a whole-class selection, in literature circles, or as a recommended book for students to read outside of class. The book’s themes would ensure good discussions, and its use of literary elements such as dialect and tone make it worthy of literary study as well. The book would fit well into a thematic unit on family. In teaching this book, I would use a fairly traditional format of reading and discussion, but would also introduce a variety of activities to emphasize themes and help the students connect to the text. One activity I would use with this novel is a family crest activity. Students would create a four section crest, including a symbol for the family, a family motto or quote that represents the family, a family flag, and the family name written in a creative or symbolic way. We would then display these family crests throughout the unit and after reading the book, students will create a crest for George’s family. Students would also complete a writing assignment about the lessons or stories from their families that they would want to pass down or share with younger siblings or even their own children, and why these lessons and stories are so important.