Last Days of Summer

Consider the description of Joey’s stay in the Brooklyn Juvenile Detention Center in the “1940” section of the book. Officials are aware that Joey has undergone a brutal beating; however, he refuses to identify his assailants and indicates that he was “run over by a vegetable truck” (13). Why has Joey been beaten, and what larger, world-wide societal issue do these beatings represent?

In the early stages of his correspondence with Charlie Banks, Joey lies about his absent father and declares: “My old man is a submarine commander who could knock your block off” (34). In many ways, Joey’s misrepresentation of his relationship with his father is analogous to Charlie’s description of his own family. How is this the case, and why?

In Last Days of Summer, Joey Margolis’ prolific correspondence with athletes, politicians, and the President of the United States provides colorful historical background and increased insight as to the psychological make-up of the characters. Stephen Early, White House Press Secretary to President Franklin Roosevelt, replies to a warning letter from Joey predicting the fall of Holland to the Germans by negating the boy’s fears. Why is Early incorrect in his reasoning?