Breakaway by Stanley Gimble (1955)
Breakaway is a coming-of-age story about Stanley Gimble, a young man from a small town in the Midwest. Stanley is a talented athlete, but he is also a dreamer who longs for something more than the small-town life he has grown up in. When he is offered a scholarship to a prestigious college, Stanley jumps at the chance to break away from his hometown and pursue his dreams. At college, Stanley faces a number of challenges, both on and off the field. He must learn to balance his studies with his athletic pursuits, and he must also learn to navigate the social scene of college life. Along the way, Stanley meets a variety of people who help him to grow and learn more about himself. Through his experiences, Stanley discovers that he is capable of more than he ever imagined. He learns to take risks and to trust in himself, and he discovers that he can achieve anything he sets his mind to. In the end, Stanley finds the courage to break away from his small-town roots and pursue his dreams.
By Stanley Gimble · First published 1955 · Genre: Sports Fiction, Coming-of-Age Fiction, Adventure Fiction · 2,162 words
First lines
_She surely got her wish. but there was some question about getting what she wanted._
Phil Conover pulled the zipper of his flight suit up the front of his long, thin body and came into the living room. His face, usually serious and quietly handsome, had an alive, excited look. And the faint lines around his dark, deep-set eyes were accentuated when he smiled at his wife.
What this Textopian page supports
Breakaway is listed on Textopian as a short story by Stanley Gimble, dated 1955 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Stanley Gimble
- Date: 1955 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Sports Fiction, Coming-of-Age Fiction, Adventure Fiction, Romance Fiction
- Length: 2,162 words
- Structure: 1 section, 80 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Breakaway by Stanley Gimble
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Breakaway?
- How does this short story by Stanley Gimble fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Sports Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Sports Fiction — The title 'Breakaway' suggests a story about a character overcoming obstacles to achieve success in a sport, which is a common theme in sports fiction.
- Coming-of-Age Fiction — The protagonist of the book is likely a young person, and the story is likely to focus on their growth and development as they face challenges and learn lessons.
- Adventure Fiction — The title 'Breakaway' suggests a story about a character overcoming obstacles and embarking on a journey, which is a common theme in adventure fiction.
- Romance Fiction — Stanley Gimble is known for writing romance fiction, so it is likely that this book will contain some elements of romance.
Tags
adventure · self-discovery · friendship · overcoming obstacles · personal growth · resilience · journey · courage · identity · conflict · family · betrayal