Polo Cowboy by G. Neri

Cole learns to be a polo cowboy despite bullying and prejudice in this interesting follow-up to Ghetto Cowboy.

Polo Cowboy by G. Neri and illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. Candlewick, 2021. 288 pages.

Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12

Recommended For: Ages 10 and up (see considerations)

After his second summer as a ghetto cowboy in urban Philly with his dad Harp, Cole decides he’s staying in Philly for the school year, too. Problem is, Harp’s life isn’t exactly stable; he barely feeds Cole. Cole ends up working for the polo stables at a prestigious local military school. Bullies are everywhere, and Cole battles racism along with plain, ordinary arrogance. Can his burgeoning relationship with Ruthie (the polo team’s only female player) survive the smoldering enmity between him and the other polo players? When Cole’s cousin Smush gets involved, things take a turn for the worse.

Like Ghetto Cowboy, Polo Cowboy is based on a real team: the only African American polo team which, like the urban cowboys, was also from Philly. Neri brings the worlds of urban Philly, an under-funded urban high school, and a wealthy military school to life as these worlds collide and intersect. Ruthie’s physical condition adds extra complexity to the narrative, keeping the bullying from being only race-based. In fact, Cole and Ruthie experience prejudice from several angles: her skin condition, their skin color, and Cole’s income level. Together, they learn to stand up for themselves, to treat others with dignity, and to pursue their goals through hard work and ingenuity. Ruthie’s mother, Cole’s high school principal, and the polo team coach offer terrific examples of women seeking justice and serving their communities within their respective spheres.

Polo Cowboy is more mature than Ghetto Cowboy in several ways (see below), but the writing level is on a lower middle grades level; this book would make a great choice for students who need “hi-lo” books (high interest/more mature but at a lower reading level). The characters are all freshmen or older. Of possible interest: the book Considerations:

• Language: Any book set in urban Philly will have language considerations if it’s remotely accurate; Polo Cowboy is sprinkled with “d—” and variations of “bada–” or “smart—.” I didn’t notice anything stronger and no “omg” type phrasings.
• Sexuality: Ruthie and Cole are an “item” by mid-way through the book and kiss several times.
• Drugs: Smush is clearly into selling drugs; this takes a deadly turn for him by the end of the book. His story acts as a cautionary one.