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cosmetic_wave's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shighley's review against another edition
3.0
This book had much to offer, but at times I felt it was a bit over the top with all that happened. Draper does deal with some tough issues very sensitively, and does not sensationalize too much. I felt there were some confusing time shifts; for instance, Gerald is in 6th grade, then it says six years have passed and he's only in 11th? At one point, it talks about two years passing, but one Christmas.
Nevertheless, I feel like Draper perhaps exaggerated a couple of things to make her point; after Monique is hit by a car, she apologizes to Jordan about not having his cigarettes? And in instances where the police are called and a juvenile is involved, shouldn't some one from child services automatically be called?
I felt like the first book in the series, Tears of a Tiger, seemed more dated, but this one did not as much. Perhaps it's because there's not as much communication (ie, they'd be using cell phones now instead of landlines) It is a nice companion to Tears, and I will be requested Darkness before Dawn on CD next. The reader did a nice job, although at times I thought the voices were a bit too much. The CD's I listened to were from Recorded Books, but copyright 2002.
Nevertheless, I feel like Draper perhaps exaggerated a couple of things to make her point; after Monique is hit by a car, she apologizes to Jordan about not having his cigarettes? And in instances where the police are called and a juvenile is involved, shouldn't some one from child services automatically be called?
I felt like the first book in the series, Tears of a Tiger, seemed more dated, but this one did not as much. Perhaps it's because there's not as much communication (ie, they'd be using cell phones now instead of landlines) It is a nice companion to Tears, and I will be requested Darkness before Dawn on CD next. The reader did a nice job, although at times I thought the voices were a bit too much. The CD's I listened to were from Recorded Books, but copyright 2002.
picwaz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
liyah1234's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mtayl104's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
casehouse's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This was a quick read that was pretty powerful. I thought it was a bit better than Draper's first novel. It was similar to her first novel in that it covered some difficult topics, but it did not use the device of telling the story from many different narrators. My opinion could be influenced by the fact that I was a student where Draper taught in the late 80s just before she started writing novels. I really enjoy reading her books - her voice shines through them.
kaennomai's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
markma's review against another edition
4.0
The book Forged by Fire by Sharon M. Draper is about a boy named Gerald. It starts out at the beginning of his life and continues to high school where he is in the car crash with Andy. Gerald has a hard life, his Mother is addicted to drugs and does not take care of him. Eventually he ends up at his Aunts and lives with her for six years. Eventually he ends up back with his Mother, but he has a little sister now. Gerald instantly loves his little sister and protects her. When Gerald moves back in with his Mother he also moves in with her new husband, Jordan. Jordan abuses them. Gerald does all he can to protect his sister from Jordan and when he can no longer protect her by himself he has to find help…
I really liked this book because I have never read a book that explains abuse so thoroughly. I would recommend this book to middle schoolers because it educates you about all types of abuse.
I really liked this book because I have never read a book that explains abuse so thoroughly. I would recommend this book to middle schoolers because it educates you about all types of abuse.
lit_editions's review against another edition
5.0
His strength...Gerald is survivor.
I can never understand how someone is so sick that they would abuse a child...I'm happy that he had the ending he deserved.
I can never understand how someone is so sick that they would abuse a child...I'm happy that he had the ending he deserved.