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Author: Norah McClintock
Page Length: 93
Reading Level: 3
Genre: Fiction
Career Connections: Policemen, Doctor
PLOT SUMMARY: How would you feel if a neighbor who had been jailed for beating your brother so badly that he was in a coma was released from prison and back living with his mother? This is the situation Ardell Withrow is facing as Jojo Benn returns to the neighborhood.
The story is told by a young boy who has a broken ankle and is doomed to wear a cast for the summer. So, he has a good view from his front porch of the neighborhood activities.
He first explains why Jojo was in jail. It began when his girlfriend, Shana, became pregnant with his child. Jojo had an attitude with people and when Shana wanted more attention than Jojo was willing to give, he got an “attitude” with her. Eden, Ardell’s brother, witnessed this and came to her rescue. This infuriated Jojo so much that he got a crowbar and beat Eden so badly that he went into a coma. He has been in a hospital since the horrifying event.
When Jojo is released, the people of the neighborhood are leery of what his behavior will be. The neighborhood stores refuse to sell him groceries. He stays at home most of the time, except on the days when he and his mother leave in a taxi. Shana comes to visit him and shows him their baby. All of this is observed by the people in the neighborhood, including Ardell and his family.
Ardell and his mother go to visit Eden, but Ardell’s father refuses to visit him. One day his dad comes to the house and tells Ardell’s mother that the hospital has determined that Eden is brain-dead. Eden is taken off of life support and dies.
Many of the neighbors attend the funeral, but Shana doesn’t. The tension increases with each of Shana’s visits to Jojo’s home. Ardell confronts her and asks how she can forgive Jojo when it is his fault that Eden is dead. When Shana tells him that she didn’t ask for Eden’s help, this is more than Ardell can take.
REVIEW: This is a high interest level book written for the reluctant teen reader. The story is told from an observer’s point of view, I think a student who has few friends or shy may be able to relate to the narrator. I would suggest the book to boys who are just beginning to do independent reading.
AREAS FOR TEACHING: Drawing Conclusions, Making Predictions, Character, Conflict, Cause/Effect, and Compare/Contrast
TOUCHY AREAS-PAGES: None
RELATED BOOKS: Snitch, Tell, Bang, Down, Marked, and Watch Me
RELATED WEBSITES:
https://www.etrafficpress.com/?q=orca-soundings-resource-guide
REVIEWED BY: Shirley Wagner