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droar's review
4.0
Good handling of the factual materials for this fictional retelling of the end of Robert 'Yummy' Sandifer's life. The black and white illustrations feel harsh in a way that really works well for the materials. What I like most is that this work gives you many options on how to view Yummy, but it never tells you which one to use. The author's note in the back encourages us to view Yummy complexly, but the narrative itself allows the reader to form their own opinion from the collected facts and opinions. Masterful work.
readerpants's review
3.0
I've had this on my to-read list since 2008 -- it's actually tagged "looking forward in 2008" -- and it's finally out and available. The story was compelling, but the art really lacked specificity and detail. The characters were so roughly sketched that it was hard to get a sense of their personalities beyond the basic text. Unfortunately the text and voice weren't the strongest ever. I'd like to hear some kids' and teens' responses to this one.
crystal_reading's review
5.0
No winners in this situation. This GN tackles the tough subject of gang violence.
moeshasdiary's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
earlier i watched the short film chaining day and found out at the end that it was a true story. having an inquiring mind that naturally lead me to google which lead me to wikipedia which lead me to this book. this entire story is heartbreaking and shocking all around. yummy was a kid. shavon was a kid. i'm going to learn more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, and Child death
Minor: Child abuse
sjj169's review
4.0
This graphic novel was based on the true story of Robert Sandifer aka Yummy (nicknamed for his love of candy bars and cookies) He was 11 years old.
Told from the point of view of a neighborhood boy this book was heartbreaking. It made it even worse because I knew it was a true story.
Yummy wanted to belong, his dad was in prison and his mom in and out of jail for drugs and prostitution. She lost custody of her kids and Yummy's grandmother was raising him. Along with most of the rest of her grandchildren. Yummy slipped out a whole lot and wanted to be in the local gang. They took him in because at 11 he wouldn't be charged as a felon for his crimes.
One day Yummy pulls his gun on a rival gang, but one of the neighborhood girls is killed instead. She wasn't doing anything wrong. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This book doesn't take sides. Yummy's bad is shown along with his good. Then the victim Shavon is treated with respect also.
I had never heard of this book before now, it's a powerful one. The black and white artwork makes the story come alive and the words break you as you know what's coming but hope to somehow make it change.
Told from the point of view of a neighborhood boy this book was heartbreaking. It made it even worse because I knew it was a true story.
Yummy wanted to belong, his dad was in prison and his mom in and out of jail for drugs and prostitution. She lost custody of her kids and Yummy's grandmother was raising him. Along with most of the rest of her grandchildren. Yummy slipped out a whole lot and wanted to be in the local gang. They took him in because at 11 he wouldn't be charged as a felon for his crimes.
One day Yummy pulls his gun on a rival gang, but one of the neighborhood girls is killed instead. She wasn't doing anything wrong. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This book doesn't take sides. Yummy's bad is shown along with his good. Then the victim Shavon is treated with respect also.
I had never heard of this book before now, it's a powerful one. The black and white artwork makes the story come alive and the words break you as you know what's coming but hope to somehow make it change.