A Most Beautiful Thing (Cooper)

A Most Beautiful Thing: The True Story of America's First All-Black High School Rowing Team
Arshay Cooper, 2020
Flatiron Books
240 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781250754769 


Summary
The moving true story of a group of young men growing up on Chicago's West side who form the first all-black high school rowing team in the nation, and in doing so not only transform a sport, but their lives.

Growing up on Chicago’s Westside in the 90’s, Arshay Cooper knows the harder side of life.

The street corners are full of gangs, the hallways of his apartment complex are haunted by drug addicts he calls "zombies" with strung out arms, clutching at him as he passes by.

His mother is a recovering addict, and his three siblings all sleep in a one room apartment, a small infantry against the war zone on the street below.

Arshay keeps to himself, preferring to write poetry about the girl he has a crush on, and spends his school days in the home-ec kitchen dreaming of becoming a chef.

And then one day as he’s walking out of school he notices a boat in the school lunchroom, and a poster that reads "Join the Crew Team."

Having no idea what the sport of crew is, Arshay decides to take a chance.

This decision to join is one that will forever change his life, and those of his fellow teammates. As Arshay and his teammates begin to come together to learn how to row—many never having been in water before—the sport takes them from the mean streets of Chicago, to the hallowed halls of the Ivy League.

But Arshay and his teammates face adversity at every turn, from racism, gang violence, and a sport that has never seen anyone like them before.

A Most Beautiful Thing is the inspiring true story about the most unlikely band of brothers that form a family, and forever change a sport and their lives for the better. (From the publisher.)

Now a documentary narrated by actor and hip-hop artist Common.

Author Bio
Arshay Cooper is a rower, author, motivational speaker, and volunteer for numerous community outreach organizations. He works with nonprofits focusing on opening the boathouse doors to everyone, and he was the recipient of a 2017 USRowing Golden Oars Award. He lives in Brooklyn with his family. (From the publisher.)

Book Reviews
Uplifting and always enlightening.… [A Most Beautiful Thing] is a coming-of-age story told with the benefit of adult insights and mature hindsight.… This book is less about this specific sport than how that sport becomes transformative, empowering some kids, giving others a direction.
Chicago Tribune


The sport made intense demands on the young men, requiring them to train hard, learn how to swim, and make countless sacrifices—including not reacting to the racist jeers from competitors and spectators. The experience turned a team of strangers into brothers and unleashed their potential. The book is as uplifting as its title suggests, and sections detailing the races are downright heart-pounding.
Christian Science Monitor


Cooper details how he and his teammates experienced racism and discrimination in the community around the boathouses the team traveled to and how they took a risk in trying a mostly all-white sport that had never seen anyone like them before—and how it ultimately transformed his life.
Sports Illustrated


Spirited account of a pioneering all-black rowing team.… The narrative feels both familiar and memorable due to… well-rounded characterizations. Engrossing as a sports memoir but also relevant to any conversation about privilege and race.
Kirkus Reviews

Discussion Questions
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