Mike Moran first attended Little Rock Catholic High School for Boys-all four years. On the basketball team, he was a point guard. Then, as "Mr. Moran," he taught English for forty years, also at Little Rock Catholic High School for Boys. Recently retired, Moran wrote the boys a novel. The tale revolves around a struggling small-town basketball team with a nerdy manager and a Walter Mittyesque coach. Presented with too few players to scrimmage in practice, the manager takes it upon himself to spread the word throughout the school: "We need you on the team." Three young students appear, diminutive in stature and with scrawny chests, unimpressive at first sight. But with the trio, and their fleet leader Jesse Crosse, the team first experiences shock, then inspiration and constant surprises. The team bonds, leading to stories that will be retold a very long time in a small, out-of-the-way town. It's not a long novel; like one's high school years, it goes by before you know it. Only the message is eternal.
Industry Reviews
"What would happen if the Messiah appeared as a black teenager on a high school basketball team in a small Southern town? Michael J. Moran's always interesting and sometimes provocative novel will evoke new ideas and interesting discussions for both younger and older readers. Clever allusions to characters, places, and events from the Gospel narratives are nothing less than brilliant."--John M. Keith, Episcopal priest & author of True Divinity in Christ: a Testimony" "What would happen if the Messiah appeared as a black teenager on a high school basketball team in a small Southern town? Michael J. Moran's always interesting and sometimes provocative novel will evoke new ideas and interesting discussions for both younger and older readers. Clever allusions to characters, places and events from the Gospel narratives are nothing less than brilliant."--John M. Keith, Episcopal priest and author of "The True Divinity of Christ: a testiomony of faith and hope"" "Exciting reading for high school basketball players, this unique book was written by one who knows the intracacies of basketball. Readers of "Jesse Crosse "will be motivated to strike a blow agains mean and ugly racial prejudice."--J. Phillips Noble, author of Beyond the Burning Bus: The Civil Rights Revolution in a Southern Town" "High school students will enjoy this fast-paced, easy read with a gender-friendly plot and basketball-play narrative. A well-developed and meaninfgul allegory develops between Jesse and Jesus. The discussion guide will be extremely helful."--Jean N. Timko, librarian, Sacred Heart School, Kentucky" "An inspired and uplifting story, "Jesse Crosse "tells the adventure of a small town high school basketball team as it learns the meaning of excellence and the transformative power of goodness through the example of one extraordinary teammate. Superbly written, "Jesse Crosse "will find its way into every reader's heart. Sure to go to film one day."--Frank Butler, President, FADICA" "Like all good allegories, this one is a fast-paced story of universal appeal that has, just below its surface, another even more gripping story which keeps winking at us. The result is also two-fold: a book you'll love reading and a reading experience you'll remember for a long time to come."--Phyllis Tickle, author of "The Divine Hours "and "The Great Emergence."" "There's more to this basketball story than meets the eye. "Jesse Crosse," the story of a hopeless basketball team broughttogether by an inspiritinggroup of new recruits and a fearless coach, turns out to be both moving and uplifting."--Garrett Quinn, now a senior at the University of Notre Dame, a student of the author when he was point guard on the state champion 2008 Rockets of Little Rock Catholic High School"
