The author Vince Vawter was inspired to write the novel Paperboy because it is an autobiographical novel, almost a memoir, about his lifelong speech impediment.

Although a struggle during his childhood, as an adult, Vawter considers his speech impediment to be a welcomed challenge and source of inner strength.

He befriends a boy on the route who he has learned is deaf, and he is finally able to tell his mother that the food she thinks is his favorite is not.

Mr. Spiro, he learns, is going to leave soon on one of his merchant ships, and he gives Little Man a cut up dollar bill with 4 words on it, student, servant, seller, and seeker.

- The Reading Countess [4] One parent on Common Sense Media states "He learns many life lessons during his temporary job as a paperboy (set in the south, during the 60s), and we cheer for him as he stands up for someone he loves, despite extreme peril.