(3 books)
Draper, S. (1994). Tears of a Tiger. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Book type: Chapter book, 162 pages.
Grades: 8th and up
Awards:
1995 American Library Association/Coretta Scott King Genesis Award for an outstanding new book ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Outstanding book by:
· The Children's Book Council
· The New York City Library
· Bank Street College
· National Council for Social Studies
Best of the Best by YALSA as one of the top 100 books for Young Adults
Summary: The focus of this book is on drinking and driving, racism, teenage depression, parental relations, pressure to do well in school, suicide, and losing friends. Andy Jackson and three of his other friends won a great game of basketball at Hazelwood High School. They decide to celebrate the victory with a little “cool bottle of sunshine”. While riding and enjoying their celebration, they enjoy the beer a little too much. Before they know it, a wall is in front of them and they hit it. Three of the friends get out of the car, but Robert Washington is pinned in. Before the others could help Robert out of the car, it explodes leaving Robert dead. Andy was the driver and Roberts best friend. While the other guys and friends are able to cope with the death of Robert, Andy blames himself and beginning to self-destructing. Only Andy’s girlfriend knows how he feels, while he has everyone else thinking that he is beginning to move on. While sitting on his bed, after ditching school, with his father’s shotgun he makes a decision. Feeling overwhelmed with his guilt, does he decide to move on or is this the end?
Credibility of the author: Draper has been a teacher for over twenty-five years. In her time, she has devoted time to dealing with teenage issues. Throughout her writing, she researches the issues to make sure that they are accurate of the facts being discussed. Tears of a Tiger is written for high school students--on their level, in their style, about their world. The book does not deal with drugs or gangs or sex. It does, however, deal with parents, girlfriends, and homework. It also discusses the problems of drinking and driving, racism and teen suicide.
Illustrations/Illustrator: Jacket illustration is by Kelynn Alder.
National Standards: Physical Education Standards: Responsible Behavior, Respect for Others, Understanding Challenge
Health : Using Communication Skills to Promote Health, Reducing Health Risks
Access Features: There is a dedication page and each chapter begins with the date that helps the reader to follow along when things are happening in the story. There is a book jacket that gives information about the author and a short summary about the book.
My response to the book: This is a very powerful book that draws the reader in from the very beginning. So much that happens in this book is truly what most teenagers face. Death seems to be a real subject that I think that almost everyone deals with in high school. Our school lost twelve students by the time that I graduated high school. So many of the emotions, that the characters in this book displayed, were experienced by me or my friends. This book made me think about some of the friends that I lost and have not thought of in quite a while.
How I would use this book in my classroom: This could be a book used with any student who has lost a friend and is trying to cope. There are a number of situations that this book deals with that can be addressed such as: drinking and driving, racism, and pressure to do well. I think it would be great to use this book as a way of helping students understand action and consequences.
Related text: Forged by Fire by Sharon Draper and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
2 comments:
I had no idea when I suggested you read this book that you had experienced deaths of so many classmates in high school! I hope it wasn't a painful read.
The issue of the grief that those who are left behind face is also a thread that runs through this book. That is what struck me as I read it 10 years ago. Although I read it long ago, it's one I have not forgotten--many books that I read I forget but not this one--it's powerful.
I clicked on this title thinking it would be a story about real tigers. I was very surprised to read your summary. Was this nonfiction or realistic fiction? I can see where this book has many lessons to teach to older children.
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