The Edge Of Whiteness
Logline
A Sicilian-American teen, first recovering from the shock of moving from Brooklyn to New Jersey, struggles to find his identity in his recently racially integrated high school in Roselle, NJ, setting him off on a lifelong search for meaning, and where he fits in to all of it.
Genre
Memoir,Comedy,Horror,Action
Short Summary
After the late 60s race riots in Brooklyn, his Sicilian family moves the brood to Roselle, NJ, which, although only about 20 miles away might just as well be another civilization. Then a new shock occurs a few years later as he attends the newly racially integrated high school.
Fed up with his family and the limited spectrum of Roselle in general, he plans to run away to Miami with Esperanza. However, the sadistic dealer Hector intercepts them, beating Joey up. As his father drives the bloody Joey to the hospital - their relationship begins healing.
Setting
Roselle, New Jersey
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Quest
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Philosophical Questions,Meaningful Message
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity,Extreme Violence
Main Character Details
Name: Joey Montaperto
Age: Around 13 when the book opens - turning 16 at the end
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aggressive,Engaging,Empathetic,Funny,Insecure,Naive,Underdog,Outspoken,Clumsy
Additional Character Details
Name: Na-Na Johnson
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Role: Tempter
Key Traits: Badass,Aggressive,Crazy,Criminal,Complex,Masculine,Lone Wolf,Blunt,Leader,Villainous,Uneducated
Additional Character Details
Name: Esperanza
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Role: tempter
Key Traits: Badass,Charming,Desperate,Engaging,Manipulative,Seductive,Sexy,Crazy,Heartthrob
Additional Character Details
Name: Skinny
Age: 14-15
Gender: Male
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Charming,Gracious,Underdog,Skillful,Funny,Faithful,Engaging
Development Pitch
1969. Brooklyn smolders in the volatile aftermath of the recent race riots. The family of young Joey Montaperto flees their beloved Italian neighborhood for a New Jersey suburb so painfully white that it makes the TV show, My Three Sons, seem exotic. Ironically, when the high school there is then later forcefully integrated, the sensitive Joey is confronted with an even more brutal racial conflict. Unexpectedly rescued from a hallway ambush by a murderous yet artistic loner, though, he is subsequently introduced to a fascinating new world of black culture. Joey finds his soul, and βsoulβ, in the writings of Malcolm X, a doomed first love with a sizzling, but heroin plagued, Puerto Rican hairdresser, and, ultimately, a spiritual journey into the study of Islam. This causes a major conflict within his Italian Catholic family, and the Mafia restaurant where he is employed as a dishwasher. in the writings of Malcolm X, a doomed first love with a sizzling, but heroin plagued, Puerto Rican hairdresser, and, ultimately, a spiritual journey into the study of Islam. This causes a major conflict within his Italian Catholic family, and the Mafia restaurant where he is employed as a dishwasher. I believe it is still relevant today and is written like a movie.