The Cry of A Little Boy: Overcoming the Struggle

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Summary: About the Author
Review: I cannot wait to receive the book that I just ordered by Tracy Sipp! I grew up in Tracy's neighborhood and always admired him and his sister, Gwen. Tracy was a wonderful choreographer, very creative and always willing to help. His relationship with his sister was special. He helped her to win countless pageants. Tracy was always special and nice to me as well. You never know what people experience in their lives, as I was surprised to read in the info that he felt himself a "nobody." He never projected that. On the contrary, he appeared confident, happy and focused. It just shows that no matter what others feel about us, it is our own self-image that matters. Ultimately that image MUST be through God's eyes. And it seems that this is what has liberated Sipp from his scars from his past. I am happy for Tracy Sipp that he has found his voice and is willing to share his story. I know that it will be a blessing to others. A homegirl -Joy Jones (Keys)

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Summary: Indeed a Struggle
Review: I was so impressed with the level of honest reflection and emotional depth in "The Cry of A Little Boy: Overcoming the Struggle" that I have discussed it with almost everyone that I know. Tracy's willingness to let us see inside his soul has provided a context for Gay Black men and women to discuss the issues that are plaguing our society. Tracy's debut confronts the psychosocial damage caused by abuse. In this case, the abuse is compounded by a lifestyle that eventually leads to a chronic health condition (HIV). Tracy's voice in this heartfelt confessional alternates between that of a truly bewildered young man desperately seeking love and approval to a successful Producer in the Atlanta area. Emotionally withdrawn and suffering from sexual abuse, Tracy seeks to find his way by running with other lost souls, and ultimately finding God. Beyond the abuse, we have a basic "coming of age" formula within a battleground of tumultuous experiences that could easily have shaken the foundation of anyone's life or belief system. Yet, Tracy captures the struggle and creates a jewel for his readers to enjoy. Buy two...Read one and share the other. God bless!

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Summary: From The Manuscript's Original Editor
Review: When Tracy Sipp contacted me, through a mutual friend, back in April 2003 and asked me to edit his book manuscript I jumped at the chance. My feeling was that his story NEEDED to get out in the worse way. Because I have a loved one who experienced many of the same things that Tracy went through, I wanted to assist with his story in order to be a voice for my loved one as well. What turned out to be a job, became a labor of love. As I began to edit his manuscript, I tolled with which horrific events needed to be softened so that the reader could stomach the events of Tracy's life in order to gain a better understanding of the evils that caused them, rather than focus on the evil acts themselves. There were times in my editing process, when I had to walk away because of the haunting residue that his story often left on me as I worked. There were times when I worked on his manuscript for 48 straight hours unable to be drawn away from the magnitude of it all; and then finally, at the last chapter realizing that I could not go on alone, I called on God to use my hands to finish editing the book for me. I did not know Tracy when I began to edit his manuscript, but by the end of the beginning chapters, Tracy was a part of my very being. I took Tracy everywhere with me (in spirit), as I became more and more aware of the tremendous responsiblity that God had placed on us both to handle his life story with objectivity and accuracy - to tell it like it really was. From the very beginning we both knew that God had a plan for Tracy's life story; in fact, even as I edited Tracy's manuscript, God was ever-present as he helped me change words, rework his thoughts, and add missing pieces. I truly feel that God also helped me cling to Tracy's life with him. The journey was tedious, and only God could have kept me standing through the trauma of reliving Tracy's life, which was so filled with acts of aggression, confusion, and hate. This is why the force of God is sensed within every single page of this book. Even with being a victim, Tracy is a champion! Tracy has won! Tracy is victorious even if he had not sold one book, because Tracy had the courage to tell the world of its wrongs. Cry of a Little Boy is an enormous contribution by one who wanted to be set free and free others along with him. Tracy poured his heart out with each word - each page - and each chapter. This book is REAL, and once the reader TRULY gets that, they soon become gripped by that very fact; there is no fiction here! One man's quest for deliverance from the demons that haunted him thoughtout his life, becomes our quest for deliveance as well. Tracy shows us that although we all have mountains that we carry from our pasts, hiding or giving up will never bring us true freedom. It is odd to both Tracy and I that God chose me, a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to edit such a poignant memior filled with such controversial topics. I never judged Tracy's experience; it was clear from the start that he knew what did and did not honor God. I took on this project because I admired that in him. He stood on God's word and never watered it down in his heart to justify a life that didn't always reflect God's light. It is interesting that even as a minister, editing this book took me on a spiritual journey that drew me closer to God as well. This is because Tracy's first purpose for writing this book was to give God the glory for all of his trials, tribulations, and the final miraculous outcomes of his life.

What is the theme of this awesome account?...Even in our trials, God truly walks along side of us - keeping us - loving us - and guiding us to him. God will not force us to come, but he is patient, and Cry of a Little Boy shows us that if we diligently seek God even though at times we fall short, God will ALWAYS allow himself to be found. Finding God equals deliverance. I thank God for Tracy's courage, his commitment, and his drive to see an end to some of the horrors of this world. Truly, if you go to the dictionary to define the word "courage" Tracy Sipp would be somewhere in the definition. This book is a must read, and even when the reading gets a bit too real, remember this: You are choosing to read it, but Tracy Sipp was forced to live it. Thank you Tracy for this wonderful contribution to the world and for being obedient to God in seeing it through to the end.