Cape Girardeau author’s debut novel explores young Black boy’s life in early 1970s

Cape Girardeau resident and local educator Joseph Moore has debuted his book, "The Call of Jeremiah McGill".

The book was published by Gatekeeper Press on Jan. 11. Amazon is calling it the top new release of historical Christian children's fiction.

The book is a coming-of-age novel that illustrates growing up as a Black child of faith in the transformative 1970s.

Moore said the book is about an 11-year-old boy, and it covers everything from peer pressure to trying to find out who he is.

The 1970s was both a preference choice as well as a strategic choice to set the book in, Moore said, noting his love of the decade's fashion, music and culture. However, he also said he picked the 1970s because of the cyclical nature of history.

"Things that we are going through today, they went through back then," Moore said. "Gas and food prices going up, political upheaval, all kinds of stuff that is so fascinating that history kind of repeats itself."

Moore said he has been developing and learning the character of Jeremiah McGill for 10 years. Moore said that as a kid, he thought he would like to write a book like "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor or "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry.

This book was somewhat a passion project for Moore, saying if he didn't do it now it would never happen. Moore said he wants readers to feel inspired and to feel the love and passion he wrote into the book himself. Moore said he also hopes they will see themselves in the boy's struggles.

"Young people go through so much nowadays, and I want this book to be a vehicle for them to know that Jesus is with you at all times," Moore said. "Just because you are struggling does not mean you are alone. We are all in this together and we have so many resources for you to reach out to."

"The Call of Jeremiah McGill" is available on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble.