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 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
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
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Used availability for Sharon Draper's Forged by Fire
See all available used copies of this book at: Abebooks UK or Abebooks US
Hardback Editions
November 2008 : Library Binding
| Title: Forged by Fire Author(s): Sharon M. Draper ISBN: 1-4395-2794-6 / 978-1-4395-2794-8 Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
April 2005 : Hardback
| Title: Forged By Fire Author(s): Sharon M. Draper ISBN: 0-7862-7417-4 / 978-0-7862-7417-8 (USA edition) Publisher: Thorndike Press Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
January 1998 : Library Binding
| Title: Forged by Fire Author(s): Sharon Mills Draper ISBN: 0-613-05000-2 / 978-0-613-05000-5 (USA edition) Publisher: San Val Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
January 1998 : Hardback
| Title: Forged by Fire Author(s): Sharon Mills Draper ISBN: 0-7807-7913-4 / 978-0-7807-7913-6 (USA edition) Publisher: Perfection Learning Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
January 1997 : Hardback
| Title: Forged by Fire Author(s): Sharon M. Draper Publisher: Simon & Schuster Availability: Amazon More details... |
January 1997 : Hardback
| Title: Forged By Fire (Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner) Author(s): Sharon M. Draper ISBN: 0-689-80699-X / 978-0-689-80699-5 (USA edition) Publisher: Atheneum Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
Paperback Editions
February 2006 : Paperback
| Title: Forged by Fire Author(s): Sharon Mills Draper ISBN: 0-7862-8358-0 / 978-0-7862-8358-3 (USA edition) Publisher: Thorndike Press Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
January 1998 : Mass Market Paperback
| Title: Forged By Fire Author(s): Sharon M. Draper ISBN: 0-689-81851-3 / 978-0-689-81851-6 (USA edition) Publisher: Simon Pulse Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
Audio Editions
May 2002 : Audio Cassette
| Title: Forged by Fire Author(s): Sharon M. Draper ISBN: 1-4025-0892-1 / 978-1-4025-0892-9 (USA edition) Publisher: Recorded Books Availability: Amazon Amazon CA More details... |
Other Editions
1999 : Unknown
| Title: Forged by fire Author(s): Sharon M Draper Publisher: Produced in braille for the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physical Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
April 1998 : Turtleback
| Title: Forged by Fire Author(s): Sharon M. Draper ISBN: 0-606-13397-6 / 978-0-606-13397-5 (USA edition) Publisher: Demco Media Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
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