BIBLOGRAPHY
PLOT SUMMARY
This is the first book in a trilogy about Hazelwood High School. The book is about a young man named Andy and how he relates after driving a car that was involved in an accident that killed his best friend. The book covers a seven month period and delves into the lives of Andy and his friends: Keisha- the girlfriend, B.J.-friend in the accident, Tyrone – friend in the accident, and Rhonda- friend to all. All of Andy’s friends and teachers try to help him adjust and move on but it seems very difficult for Andy to shake loose of the guilt from the accident. Andy does see a psychologist for a while after the accident and seems to be better and the sessions are called to an as needed basis. After this Andy’s academic, social and mental well being begin to spiral downward. The book ends tragically with Andy unable to cope with life after the accident and he commits suicide.
The social indications in the book surrounding the characters seem true to African Americans in today’s society. The language used between the students and interactions with the teachers were authentic. There were only a few references to clothing which seemed appropriate.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is very relevant to today’s youth since the novel covers: drinking and driving, car accidents, teenage death, responsibility and consequences, school, college, parents expectations, actions of parents and interactions between friends. Many parts of the book we see on the news and it reminds us of our own mortality. There is one section of the book where Andy tries to call out for help and the doors keep shutting in his face. It makes you wonder if someone you knew committed suicide and did you shut a door or leave it open. Draper does an excellent job portraying the characters and their interactions between newspaper articles, police reports, notes, letters, phone calls and just talking. The different modes of communication kept the reader interested in finishing the story. This story was written in a mainly African American high school but the topics are cross culturual since they apply to all of American culture.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Coretta Scott King Award 1995
John Steptoe Award for New Talent
1996 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
VOYA – “As compelling a novel as any published in the last two decades. Buy it, read it, share it” (back cover)
School Library Journal “ This moving novel will leave a deep impression.” (back cover)
Publisher’s Weekly –“Draper's ambitious first novel tackles teenage drinking, suicidal depression and other front-page topics-and relates the action through dialogue or compositions ``by'' the characters.”
Booklist – “The story emerges through newspaper articles, journal entries, homework assignments, letters, and conversations that give the book immediacy; the teenage conversational idiom is contemporary and well written.”
CONNECTIONS
This would be an appropriate book for seventh grade and older. The topic would be useful when discussing drinking and driving and the consequences for actions taken. This would be an appropriate resource for Red Ribbon Week.
Website - Red Ribbon Week - http://www.justice.gov/dea/ongoing/red_ribbon/redribbon_history.html
Book cover image from Barnes & Noble.
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