Genre = Novel
Short Description
Quotes
“In a way they were all disappointed, but sadness doesn’t wear well in the ‘hood, and so they had thrown it out as if it didn’t matter. As if nothing was so serious that it couldn’t be laughed off.” – Walter Dean Myers, Page 38
“” There is a danger whenever you go back to a place that you remember from a distance,” he said. “The danger is that you only look with your eyes.”” – Walter Dean Myers, Page 101
“I knew, or was beginning to know, that all journeys are harder than they appear, and that there are often roads to climb and beasts to slay along the way.” – Walter Dean Myers, Page 159
Elaborate Description
Anthony Witherspoon has been gone from his neighborhood for a few months due to school. When he comes back to the neighborhood, everything seems the same but somehow very different. Not much changed, yet everything seems to have changed. What’s more is that his girlfriend seems very different. Turns out that she started using drugs. Drugs, known in this book by the beast, got to her due to stress.
An eloquently written book that creates an understanding of drug usage and seeing from different perspectives. Drugs are never the answer to problems yet so many fall for them to seek relief or an escape. Different experiences shape the way reality is perceived, it is important to try and view the world from other people’s perspectives.
Questions to Consider while Reading the Book
•Why is Anthony thinking that his neighborhood seems so different?
•Why are drugs referred to as the beast?
•Why do people use drugs? Do they find what they ae looking for?
•How do people in the neighborhood treat each other?
•What does Anthony learn about life?
