It Ain't All for Nothin'

Rating:
Summary: Bored Stiffless
Review: Bored Stiffless

This book is very stereotypical. It is about three poor black people that live in Harlem in the summer of the 1970's. I probably don't need to go on because you could probably guess what the plot of the story is all about. But I'll go on. Like I said it's about three poor black people that live in Harlem. There is one grandma who is practically the parent of one teenager and one 10 year old. The teenager is involved with drugs and robbing convenience stores for food. The grandma is in poor health. The ten-year-old boy and the teenager apply for welfare. The teenager doesn't care about school so he drops out. All three live in bad living conditions. Like I said the book is very stereotypical. This is the worst book I have ever read. ... Personally I think the author could have thrown in a couple of surprises to make the book at least a little interesting.

Rating:
Summary: INSPIRATIONAL!
Review: I began reading this book with my Mom when I was about 10 years old. This book had to be the most vivid and engaging book I had ever read. I began to read all books by this author. This book depicts reality in it's truest form. And for those people who have never been exposed to urban culture, this book gives some insight to what life was like during the 70's and even today. The main character is a 10 year old boy being raised by his grandmother. He experiences different pitfalls through the circumstances he goes through. This book would be excellent for middle school children, especially in the inner city. It can also benefit students in suburban areas who need to learn about urban life. thogh it deals with poverty, it is not about being poor . Although it deals with drugs and crime, it is not about either of those. It is about a ten year boy who remembers the teaching of his grandmother and makes the right choices in spite of the odds being against him. He overcomes his enviroment to escape the trappings of the ghetto. A favorite choice amongst middle school and high school students.