Two the Hard Way

by Travis Hunter

In his young adult debut, Travis Hunter provides a compelling, vividly realistic look into life in the housing projects as seen through the eyes of two brothers trying to get by.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Urban

256 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Travis Hunter is an author, songwriter and father. The Hearts of Men was self-published in 2000 by Hunter's own company, Jimrose Publishing House. During the 2000 Book Expo America in Chicago, Hunter handed out copies of his self-published novel, The Hearts of Men and one week later received and offer from Random House's imprint, Strivers Row/ Villard for the re-release of The Hearts of Men. Five more novels followed; Married but Still Looking,Trouble Man, A One Woman Man, Something to Die for and the current release, A Family Sin.

Hunter is a native of Florence, S.C. He was also reared in Philadelphia, Pa. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he attended Clark Atlanta University and subsequently enrolled in Georgia State University where he majored in Psychology.

During his tour of duty in the military, he discovered his interest in music, ultimately writing his first song for a Sony recording artist. Always an avid reader, Hunter parlayed his interest in music into a passion for story-telling that led to his critically acclaimed debut novel.

Hunter lives in a suburb outside of Atlanta with his son Rashaad. He is the founder of the "Hearts of Men Foundation," through which he mentors underprivileged children.

If you'd like to meet Travis Hunter or hear him read from his latest novel, check his schedule to see if he's going to be in a city near you.

"I can only write about what I know," explains Travis Hunter about writing The Hearts of Men. "I've always been interested in what makes some relationships work and others fail, so I observed various relationships. I listened to people's gripes about their spouses and what they were expecting out of their relationships but never took the time out to communicate to their spouse. People love drama, and the things I've encountered in my unofficial research is enough to fill ten novels. My goal is to help others understand men better -- why we do what we do. That goes for males, too. Just because you are over eighteen, doesn't make you a man."

Reviews

[Mikeriley2]

Good book. is he guilty?

[Trevon Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book to me because I can relate to the characters in the book.I also like the book because it's sports related

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two brothers Kwame and Romeo were what you’d expect to brothers to be, close. The fact that they were abandoned by their mother and had to be raised by their grandmother the bond between them were even stronger. Growing up in the inner city, where trouble seemed to be around every corner, Kwame was arrested and went to prison for something he didn’t do and that not only tore Romeo apart, but he also got to see firsthand, just how the system worked. Faced with that disappointment of his older brother Kwame going to jail didn’t stop Romeo from doing his best at what he loved to do and becoming the star quarterback for his high school football team.

After the Kwame’s release from prison, things start to look up for the two brothers. They reconnected with their mom Pearl and it seemed things were going to be alright until tragedy strikes again and their mom is brutally attack by some local thugs. Truth begins to unfold and they discover some secrets about their family and they also find out who is truly with them and against them.

Overall all this was an easy read. It had some moments when I was anxious to get to the plot, but for the most part it was worth the wait. It had a lot of funny moments, because these were teens, so you laugh a lot. It did end with a feeling there will be more, but who knows. I did enjoy reading Two the Hard Way!

Anna Black

AAMBC Book Reviewer

[Julianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this novel for my classroom library after seeing multiple recommendations while poring through lists for male YA readers. I am often looking for realistic fiction that instills hope and inspires positive behaviors that lead to numerous opportunities. I was leery of this book because I have read numerous books with similar plots in which many characters curse, drink, do drugs or encourage dangerous behaviors. I'm glad I took a chance on this book. Over the years I've heard many of my students express concern for being stuck in a life with a limited future. This book may provide them with the hope and inspiration needed to pursue college. I can't wait to share this with my students.

On the downside, and the reasons I didn't give this novel 5 stars, I'm afraid the novel may be too clean and not gritty enough. Romeo's friend Amir is scolded numerous times for cussing, but the worst he says is "damn" and "hell." While I like that they don't curse any worse than that, I'm afraid some of my boys might scoff at these words being called curses. Also, I do wonder if the happy ending is unrealistic. It too perfectly wrapped up the story with a nice little bow for the protagonists.

I look forward to sharing this book with my students, and I'll update my review when I hear back from them.

[Bless · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really an emotional rollacoaster filled with emotions, toughness, choices, fighting and striving for freedom and football. It is so amazing how these boys really took their own personal experiences to grow from it and learn from life being thankful of what God gave them, by leaving gangs, getting mixed up in all sorts of trouble and struggling their way out. Two brothers, friends and family always and tried their best to stick together and learn from each other. Good education is really key to be successful in life, making the right choices and helping God guide you spiritually and emotionally on so many levels. Now good guidance will keep them off the streets and help them decide on their bright future and work hard and earn their money instead of getting short-cuts in life which leads them to nowhere. It's good to learn a life lesson to keep your life straight and yourself in check. I recommend this book to all types of young boys out their reminding them that it is never too late to make the right choice and change their life for the better. You can't always be getting the good by doing the bad. Remember that. EXCELLENT BOOK! ONE OF THE BEST ONE I READ SO FAR!

[K Riquena Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Two The Hard Way" by Travis Hunter was an outstanding read and the first teen novel that I read in a while that I truly enjoyed. What I liked most about 'Two The Hard Way' is that Kwame, Ngiai, Romeo, & Kelli's stories were real, mixed with serious issues that are relevant in today's society for not just teenagers, but everyone. Hunter's 'Two The Hard Way' is a raw original tale that speaks about the values we instill in our children, the pressures and pleasures that come with being teenagers, in addition to the meaning of what a true friend is and how family is important, whether blood or not, from the ghetto or a rich neighborhood . I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone wanting a fresh take on the lives of teenagers (some not all), with more than a few lessons that you may have learned, or are wanting to pass on to the next generation.

[Jodi-ann Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that this book is full of action like when Kwame almost got killed by Frank and when Romeo was being chased after spying on the men who beat up his mother. Also that the story is told from the perspective of two brothers. For example three chapters would have Romeo as the narrator and after it switches to Kwame then goes back and forth. It's just full of surprises and the ending was good when Wicked took the blame for Romeo. I felt that he deserves going to jail because he made Kwame do the same when he was innocent.

[Shay Talton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I have read is called Two The Hard Way by Travis Hunter.My thought on this book was it was very interesting because Romeo and his brother Kwame were very different from each other.I thought is was interesting how Kwame helped him stay out of trouble when Kwame got in a lot of trouble. Kwame is trying to tell Romeo how he went to jail for doing the stuff Romeo is doing now which is drugs and gangs. This book
would be appropriate for 8th graders and up because the language is not appropriate for younger children.

[Alicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Romeo and Kwame are typical brothers growing up in the city with their grandmother because their mother was strung out on drugs. One good, one who makes mistakes they're just trying to survive in the cruel, cruel world (can you sense my sarcasm?). What happens in the end? Grandma gets all she's ever wanted with a nice home to help keep take care of the family and the boys are on the right path with a girl to spare.

[Adri Pascual · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contained me more hungry to keep reading and showed me a life lesson about going the right path. In this book, Romeo almost finds himself in a hole but with the help and love of his brother is able to continue his future and scholarship. He struggles because his mother has a type of problem which he can't decipher and he lives in a bad neighborhood around temptations, but he is able to keep his head up with the help of his grandmother and brother.

[Saima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book and a nice story. though I didn't completely like his brother, I loved the story and the characters. The author made you feel like you were part of the actual book. The main character had that drive that everyone searches for and it truly caused me to like him.
Overall, It was a nice book and I have to give it four stars.

[Julie Gardner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. I found the moralizing heavy-handed and cliche, while the point of view didn't make sense (alternating first person, but you still don't know what either narrator is actually thinking. This led to major holes in the plot). This book stands out as shockingly mediocre in a line-up of strong contenders for this year's high school Oklahoma Sequoyah Award.

[Tudian Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is way realistic and unforgettable. how could a mom treat her own son like that.but the main thing I'd like to put across is that like was really hard for romeo, the seventeen year old and it was pretty easy to get in trouble. and his older brother finally getting out of jail.

[BCPL Youth Services Librarian]

Click to see book in BCPL's online catalog

[Clarica]

Was A GREAT Book!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to stay out of jail in the projects.

[Elsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad.

[Heather Shuck]

Sequoyah Nominee: 2012-2013 (High School)

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was real to me until the end...happy ending for everyone except the bad guy. Really? Nice thought but not "real" world. It was a well-paced and interesting story, though.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, I just thought it was a good and funny book

[Sherita Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

all i have to say is that this book is insationaly magnificent.TWAH!!!

[Zach Irwin]

book finished