The Junto: Racing to the Bell; Jamil Jamil and His Zoo Animals.

This is a story about an African American boy growing up poor on the streets of South Philadelphia, the same stomping grounds as Rocky. His name is Jamil Jamil and he was born with a special gift, a secret passed down through generations since time began. That secret is Jamil's ability to communicate with animals by exchanging mind messages with them. Communicating on a wave his Grandma Rody calls the "sixth dimension." When Jamil stumbles upon a terrorist plot to blow up Philadelphia at the Liberty Bell, and when no one believes him, he takes the advice of his Grandma Rody: "Boy, you've got to use those zoo animals and save the city." Then, it’s a race to the bell, a bell that once rang for freedom. Breaking out zoo animals is no easy feat; neither is hiding them in the city. It's an edge of the seat finish with twists and turns along the way. The Junto Racing to the Bell is an inspiring account of determination overcoming poverty. Jamil’s love of animals is equal to the love from his Grandma Rody, who is a guiding light in a storm of bullies and a bad home life. Kids 12 to 20 will love The Junto. It is fun to read and action packed. The Junto is also about teachers who care, tricks played on the principal, and sad tales from the ‘hood. It’s about having friends and loving animals. It’s about why kids learn in some schools and don’t in others. And, it’s about defending America.

Review

“I could not put this book down. In fact, I read it in two days. The main character, Jamil Jamil reveals the heart of so many of our African American students in urban settings. The author has captured the essence of Jamil Jamil– courageous, lonely, creative, isolated--has a grandmother who supplements a crack head mother―and he has a smart, engaging personality.
The setting is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the time is now. Jamil’s charter school provides an option for a safe effective education. Jamil has inherited a gift that allows him to transcend human communication; a secret gift that enables him to deal with a possible 9-11 terrorist attack on his beloved city. The book is rich with behind the scene information regarding governmental and international intrigue. Readers from elementary through high school as well as adults will find this an exciting and enjoyable experience. Whether the book is read to or read by youth and their family members, a good feeling will result.”
Fredricka Reisman, Ph.D.
Professor and Founder of the Drexel University School of Education
Director of the Drexel/Torrance Center for Creativity and Innovation
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Growing up in a blue collar Irish-Italian town overlooking the Schuylkill River, author Ron spent his career in education. He worked his way through college as a regional reporter for the Gannett owned Elmira Star Gazette. He's written newspaper columns for the Wellsboro Gazette and the Elmira Star Gazette. Upon graduation from college, he taught and coached five years in a rural high school, where his student's newspaper won the Keystone Award for the best high school newspaper in Pennsylvania. He coached girls junior high basketball, girls varsity volleyball, and boy's varsity baseball. For the next 25 years The Junto author was an educational fund raiser at Mansfield University, Penn State University, the University of Illinois, Temple University and now currently at Drexel University. He's raised funds for student scholarships, faculty support positions, i.e., chairs and professorships, and he even raised a million-plus dollars for mushroom research. In 2005 Ron spent a year teaching in a Philadelphia inner city charter school learning first-hand about urban education. He taught social studies to grades four through eight and called it "an eye opening experience." From that opportunity he gained knowledge about inner city children, which gave him insight for the Jamil Jamil series. Many of the episodes and characters in The Junto Racing to the Bell, are based on the experiences Ron had while teaching. The author is an avid runner who logs 25 miles a week through 'Rocky Country.' He loves to write and has written blogs about the Phillies and his family. It took Ron a year to write The Junto. He would get out of bed at 4:30 a.m., go for a 30 minute run, shower quickly, then, with his coffee, write for two hours, before leaving for work. He also loves speaking to groups about self motivation, self worth, and self discipline; and how any goal is achievable for anyone who works hard and smart enough. He and his wife Denise make their home in South Philadelphia.