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Stock image - cover art may vary
| Format: |
Mass Market Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0689818513 |
| ISBN-13: |
9780689818516 |
| Publisher: |
Simon Pulse |
| Release Date: |
January, 1998 |
| Length: |
160 Pages |
| Weight: |
Unavailable |
| Dimensions: |
6.9 X 4.1 X 0.5 inches |
| Language: |
English |
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Sharon Draper has indeed forged a fiery name for herself in the field of young adult literature--that of a courageous writer, willing to tackle tough, real-life problems while developing honorable, streetwise role models for troubled teens. Her previous novel, Tears of the Tiger, garnered much acclaim and became the first recipient of the Core... Read moreSharon Draper has indeed forged a fiery name for herself in the field of young adult literature--that of a courageous writer, willing to tackle tough, real-life problems while developing honorable, streetwise role models for troubled teens. Her previous novel, Tears of the Tiger, garnered much acclaim and became the first recipient of the Coretta Scott King Genesis Award. In this second novel, Draper weaves in characters from Tears--most significantly Gerald Nickleby, a young basketball player who discovers his innate strength and determination while protecting his stepsister's safety and his mother's honor. Unfortunately, Draper's strengths (her desire to delve into tough social issues, such as child abuse, drug addiction, incest, bulimia, and domestic violence) become this book's weakness as the story line teeters on implausible. For example, in less than 20 pages Gerald faces the following: the death of a close friend (a passenger in a car that was driven by a drunk teammate); the discovery of his drunk, evil stepfather trying to sexually assault his younger stepsister; a brutal attack by his stepfather; and a raging apartment fire that threatens to kill them all. Nonetheless, Draper creates believable and important heroes for teenage boys--those who are forged from adversity, only to burn more brightly and courageous. (Ages 12 and older) --Gail Hudson Read less
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Ex-Library Copy
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5
5
Customer Reviews
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Posted by Jovolli Best on 10/20/2003 |
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Forged By Fires was my first time reading a book by Sharon M. Draper and it definitely made a good impression. It starts at an apartment where 3-year-old Gerald (who was abused by his mother) was playing with a lighter for entertainment. Even with that little flicker of fire, it resolves into a smoke filled room with firefighters coming to save him. Since his mother was sent to prison he is sent to his aunts where he experiences joy and sorrow. When his aunt dies he is moved back to his mother where he finds Angel, his loving half sister and Jordan Sparks, his cruel stepfather where he has to go against him once and for all. I personally think the purpose of the book was to explain abuse and how children can feel and react to it.
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10/13/2003 |
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Gerald was fasinated by fire when he was little. Because of his addiction to fire tragdey strikes. While his substance-addicted mother left to see "Mr. Leroy" Gerald is left alone in his small apartment. Since Gerald is only three he starts playing with the lighter. The apartment is set burning and Gerald is saved by a teenage boy from the next door. Gerald's mother is sent to jail and Gerald's aunt Queen takes custody of him. Aunt Queen dies and Gerald is forced to live with his mother,(whom just got out of jail), brutel step-father Jordan Sparks and his new sister Angel. Angel gets abused and touched by her father and Gerald's step-father, Jordan Sparks. Gerald is determined to stop this nonsense. He goes to a father on his basketball team for help. They go to court and Jordan is sentenced to jail time. Once Jordan gets out Gerald is afraid to let his little sister, the light of his life, in Jordan's hands. Has Jordan really changed? Read "Forged By Fire" By: Sharon Draper to find out.
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Posted by Helen Carter on 08/06/2001 |
This book is about Gerald, at 3 yrs old, was abused himself by his mother. His mother will hit him and leave him in his diapers all day if he poops in them, to teach him a lesson. His mother was on drugs and often left him in the apartment alone. Well, one day, his mother left to buy some drugs from Leroy, some man that smell sweet. And Gerald decide to play with his GI Joe and a lighter. Suddenly, the apartment is on fire. He goes and hide behind the couch. The neighbor decide to check up on him, if it wasn't for the neighbor, Gerald would of die from smoke inhallation. His mother goes to prison for child endangerment. And also she goes to drug rehab. Aunt Queen comes to the rescue and Gerald went to live with her for six years. Then his world comes crashing down on his ninth birthday. Aunt Queen dies and he have go to live with his mother. His mother is married to Jordan, who claim to be Angel's father, but isn't. Jordan is violent and will hit Gerald, his mother, and his sister, Angel, whenever he gets drunk. Also, Jordan will sexually molest Angel, which disgusts me. When Gerald went to move in with his mother, he couldn't bring himself to call her mama anymore, so he call her by her first name, Monique. Well, from the day Gerald moves in, he vows to protect his sister. His sister like to dance like any typical 7-yr-old. Well, Gerald turns in Jordan for sexually abuse, and he finally gets out of prison when Gerald is 17 and Angel is 13. Ok, when Gerald is 17, his best friend, Robert Washington, dies in a car crash because Andy was driving drunk and crash into a wall. This, indeed, is a real sad book that I read and I couldn't put it down. I have to order "Tears of a Tiger" and "Dawn by Darkness" one of these days. I read this book back when I was in the 10th grade. This book will made you angry against abuse of kids, and make you want to do something..
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07/27/2000 |
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Gerald, a determined young teenager, faces a drastic change in his life. He is suddenly thrown into a household that is filled with anger, abuse, and addiction. He is forced to face a mean stepfather and to discover the house secret. Faced with his past and new challenges, he learns how to grow into a positive and caring role model, especially for his stepsister Angel. An excellent book for middle school children and up on facing what could possibly be happening behind closed doors.
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My review on Forged By Fire |
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02/09/2000 |
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This book is about a boy named Gerald who is abused.The book starts off by telling about his mother abusing him when he was three years old.she would always hit him and leave him at home by himself. Then he started living with his Aunt Queen until he was about nine years old. When his aunt died he went back to live with his mom and step-father,Jordan.He was really abusive too, he would hit Gerald and his mom then sexually harass his younger sister,Angel. Gerald could never forgive his mom and didn't call her mama anymore. he called her by her first name, Monique. Once Gerald got older he had become stronger and didn't fear Jordan anymore. He had to be very strong because of all the pain he went through and the bad memories he had. The only part that I didn't like about the book is that it told about Rob's death and repeated some of the things in Tears of a tiger. I didn't tell about how hard it was for Andy and how he killed himself. I recommend this book for people of all ages because it is a book with strong feelings in it and it tells alot about being abused.
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