Bang!

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Bang!

By Sharon G. Flake

I've been looking for books to recommend to my 8th grade African-American male student. He's a really nice kid who hasn't really caught the reading bug. He's read one Bluford series book but wasn't too into it. I gave him The Outsiders last week and he seems to be really liking it. I have a soft spot for The Outsiders because it's just a great book so I'm so glad he likes it. Someone recommended Sharon Flake would be a good progression after the Blueford series.

This is the first book I've read by Sharon Flake and it was interesting but kind of weird to me. I've come to realize that if too much goes on in a book or too many weird things that I feel like are way too unrealistic I just don't like it. I guess I need to expand my brain and realize that crazy things do really happen...but I haven't reached the point yet.

Anyway, this book is about a boy growing up in a rough neighborhood where shootings and death are common. His little brother is actually killed and it traumatizes the whole family. Their dad kicks the main character out because he's worried that he's not tough enough and not enough of a man. He scared the because he's so weak he's going to get killed, too. His solution is to abandon him so he can figure out how to survive. It seemed really messed up to me, I guess if his dad is so upset and is just trying to do anything it might make some sense, but it just seems weird to me.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be recommending this book. It's a bummer...I'm back on the hunt. I think I'm gonna try Sharon Draper next. I've read two of her books but the two I have read are not ones I think my student would like...but there are others that just might work. Any suggestions, people??