Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Beast by Walter Dean Myers


I was pleasantly surprised by the beginning of this young adult novel. Myers returns back to New York City in the novel, and focuses on Spoon, a young man who has found a way out of the hood. He is accepted into The Academy, a school where he is able to live and study. He comes home for Christmas break and sees his neighborhood for what it is for the first time. He sees the hopelessness, the drug abuse, the alcoholism, and the general despair. Even his own girlfriend has become addicted to heroin. But he can't abandon her for the white girl at his school. Because Gabi needs him. Her mother is dying and she must care for her blind grandfather and siblings. And Spoon is going back to school. He must. It's the only way he can get out.

I did think the book was a little preachy in spots, but this topic has to be. Do I think my students will love the book? Not really.

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