Jesus Take My Wheels takes you on a journey that’s heart-wrenching, hopeful, and at times, downright gut-punching. It’s the story of Efrem Williams, a kid from the rough streets of Philly who dreams big but is constantly thrown into situations that test his spirit. From the basketball court to facing unimaginable challenges, this book hits hard. But it’s not just about Efrem; it’s about his indomitable mom, Sandra, who might just be one of the most resilient characters I’ve ever come across.

D.T. Scarola has this way of pulling you right into Efrem’s world. The early chapters are vivid. Chapter 1 hooked me immediately with Sandra’s sheer determination to protect her son despite the chaos in her life. She’s cleaning houses, dodging gang violence, and raising a kid who she hopes won’t get sucked into the same darkness. Scarola writes her struggles and triumphs with raw honesty, and by the end of that first chapter, I was fully invested.

There’s this one scene where Efrem confronts his mom about her decision to make him stay away from Malcolm, his best friend who’s joined a gang. You can feel the pain in both of them, Efrem torn between loyalty to his friend and his mother’s fear for his safety. And then Malcolm’s tragic fate? My heart shattered. The scene in the liquor store, with Malcolm’s final, bittersweet joke before he passes, stays with you. It’s moments like these where Scarola does a great job of showing human connection in the midst of despair.

Efrem’s resilience and the way he rebuilds his life after the shooting is inspiring. When his mother discovered wheelchair basketball, I couldn’t help but cheer her on. She’s always Efrem’s biggest advocate, even when he’s stuck in his anger and grief. The basketball tryout is the spark of hope I desperately needed at that point in the story. Can we talk about how much we all need a Pastor Jones in our lives? His quiet wisdom and unwavering belief in Efrem give the story its soul.

Scarola doesn’t tie everything up in a neat bow, and I loved that. Life is messy, and Jesus Take My Wheels embraces that messiness. If you love stories about perseverance, the power of community, and finding light in the darkest of times, this book is for you. Basketball fans will appreciate the sports moments, but the emotional depth makes it so much more than a sports story.

Pages: 74 | ASIN : B0DL6ZFRXP