Coming-Of-Age: Walking a Mile in Ivan's Shoes
Eva Pasco
5-Stars
Goodreads
April 11, 2026
Walking a Mile in Ivan’s Shoes
This realistic, no-holds-barred, coming-of-age story leaps off the pages as the reader follows in the footsteps of thirteen-year-old Ivan Thompson. The name “Ivan” means “gold lion,” and his grandmother tells him he has a heart of gold with the strength of a lion.
A bright, well-mannered, multi-talented adolescent overcomes the debilitating effects of constant bullying by applying the skills and self-discipline he learns in his martial arts classes:
“The true art of fighting, unless the circumstances are really dire, is not to.”
Even when Ivan has to take on an onslaught of gang members, anger does not overrule his sense of fair play in meting out justice.
Credible dialogue among characters, each defined by their own unique profile, propels the plot along. The author’s cinematic approach to acquainting the reader with Chicago’s neighborhoods sheds light on dynamics. His detailed play-by-play moves, whether pertaining to martial arts or sports, keep the reader guessing.
Resonating with heart and soul, I highly recommend ‘Who Holds the Power,’ a story centered on a character who transforms his life and remains true to his beliefs.
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I can identify, spending my younger years in a poor neighborhood in an industrial town. But we all knew that Chicago was worse. Perhaps, still is.
My father was a Golden Gloves boxer. Had the cauliflower ears to prove it. I never saw him have to back down to anyone. Yet, he never provoked a fight. I became a wrestler. Controlling my opponent rather than beating him.
I recall only one time when a group of Boy Scouts attacked me in our cabin. I got furious and threw them all off although some of them were twice my size.
Ron