Begging for Change

Raspberry Hill #2

by Sharon G. Flake

Desperate to get her mother out of their rough situation, Raspberry steals money from a friend and now she must deal with the consequences and guilt, fearing that she may be going down the same path as her drug-addicted and thieving father. Reprint.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Teen, Poverty, Friendship, African American

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Sharon G. Flake is the author of five books, The Skin I'm In (1998), Money Hungry (2002), Begging for Change (2003), Who Am I Without Him? Short Stories About Boys and the Girls in Their Lives (2004), Bang! (Sept. 2005), and her latest novel The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street (2007).

Her work is used in public and private schools around the nation, from elementary to high school, and is often required reading in colleges for students in education, child development, children's literature and English writing programs. Beyond that, her work is also a favorite among adults and adult book club readers.

Flake and her work have won numerous awards and recognitions including: Best Books for Young Adult Readers; Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers; the New York Public Library Top Ten Books for the Teen Age; 2005 featured author in the Ninth Book of Junior Authors & Illustrators; 2005 Capitol Choices; Noteworthy Books for Children; 2004 Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Book; 2004 Texas Lone Star Award for Top Ten Books; 2002, 2004 Coretta Scott King Honor Award; Pennsylvania Council of the Arts Grant; 2004 Bank Street Best of the Year; 2004 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book; 2004 CCBC Choices; Booklist Top Ten Fantasy Book; 2004 Booklist Top Ten Romance Novels for Youth; 2004 Booklist Editor's Choice Award; 2003 Detroit Free LIbrary Author of the Year; 1999 YWCA Racial Justice Award; 1999 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award and more.

Flake's work appears on the Anti-Defamation League's website which stresses the use of children's literature to help educators address the problem of bullying in schools.

Flake was born in Philadelphia, PA, but has resided in Pittsburgh, PA with her daughter for many years. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in English. For several years she was a youth counselor for a foster care agency, after which she spent 18 years working at the University of Pittsburgh in public relations. She has written numerous articles for national publications. Prior to having her first book published, she wrote for approximately 15 years.

Reviews

[Jessica Green. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book so far is wonderful. Not confusing one bit. It makes me feel like it's my own life. Because of the things going on in this book. Amazingg READ fo sho!

[Isabelle Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book BEGGING FOR CHANGE, by Sharon G. Flake is about a fourteen year old girl named Raspberry. Raspberry is a girl who was living a normal life with her mom and dad, until the day that her parents separated. When her mom and dad separated from each other, Raspberry stayed living with her mother, while her father lived in the streets. There was a time when Raspberry and her mom were living in the streets and begged for change, but then finally her mom worked two jobs and got them out of trouble. They rented a house from a nice man who had always helped out Raspberry's mother. There were two days that Raspberry's dad came in and stole money off of her, and then took advantage of her. Raspberry was in love with a boy name Sato, and she had 3 best friends; Ja'nae, Zora an Mai. Raspberry had stolen money out of Zora's purse and their friendship became hatred. Zora didn't want her dad going out with Raspberry's mom, but at the end they finally forgave each other and Raspberry finally knew how Zora felt when she lost her trust. At the end, Raspberry also forgave her father because after all, he was her father and they loved each other.

I can connect this book to the world because there a lot of people that don't have both their parents. Raspberry can connect to the girls in the world that live with one parent, while the other is suffering. I can also connect this book to people that steal but then regret stealing right at the next second.

I would give this book 5 stars because I really love the author, Sharon G. flake. Also because these books are based on true stories that can be connected to almost anything.

[Kyra ♡ ‧₊˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars – For the girl I was when I first read this.

I read Begging for Change back in middle school, and I’ll never forget how deeply it touched me. It was one of the first books I picked up where the main character actually looked like me, spoke like girls I knew, and moved through a world that felt familiar. That kind of representation, especially for a young, budding reader is priceless.

Raspberry’s story gripped me from the start. I rooted for her, I cried for her, and honestly, I just wanted to reach through the pages and be her friend. It was raw and real, and Sharon G. Flake didn’t sugarcoat anything. Instead, she gave us a deeply human story full of struggle, survival, and heart.

Even now, years later, the memory of this book gives me a warm kind of nostalgia. It was one of the first times I saw myself in fiction, and that made all the difference. I’m seriously considering a reread as an adult, both to revisit Raspberry and to reflect on what this story meant to me at such a pivotal point in my life.

Final verdict: A foundational read in my personal journey with books. Begging for Change is honest, emotional, and unforgettable. I loved it then, and I’ll always love it for what it gave me.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raspberry is a girl living in modern-day first world poverty- in the projects, where violence is normal and neighbors go further than just complaining. I liked this book somewhat; the plot has a one-in-a-hundred chance of actually happening to someone (or maybe I'm just too sheltered =_=), but it's good enough for a book that has to show all the issues the author wants to cover in a limited amount of pages. The title is very appropriate, showing how much the character desires and is looking for change in her crappy life. And, while struggling with poor living conditions and never having enough money, Raspberry also goes through normal issues of growing up- wanting a partner of the opposite sex. This book is a good summary of a whole bundle of issues.

[Imani]

I REALLY WANT TO READ THIS (YAH'NAY) WHEN UR DONE CAN I READ IT SEEN LIKE IT WILL BE AVERY GOOD BOOK

[AnnaBnana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was really compelling. I haven't seen a lot of books for younger kids that deal with serious topics like this. With that said, even with the serious issues, I didn't feel like Flake was heavy-handed or trying to hard to teach lessons. The neighborhood descriptions and the characterizations felt real.

This kind of fiction is good to have around for a couple of reasons--first, there is an entire group of kids who will find that this book opens their mind to an alternate reality. Second, for a lot of kids, they'll see some of their own life here--living in poverty, dealing with being biracial, having a single parent, and/or dealing with budding interest in the opposite sex.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johanna Garcia
Begging For Change by: Sharon G. Flack
Begging for Change is about a young teenager named Raspberry. Raspberry wasn’t the kind of partying girl; she was the type of teenager who worried about her lifestyle, especially when she is in a rowdy neighborhood where she is encountered by many problems. Once, she had to choose money over her best friend that she stole, and to top that her best friend (Zora) will soon be her sister because her dad and Raspberry’s mother are in a serious relationship which creates a conflict. Raspberry also has a neighborhood bully that isn’t the type to hang around with, she’s the one who also caused Raspberry’s troubles, and she is a troubled teenager. Then comes Raspberry’s father, he is homeless living on the streets and is also a drug dealer who gets his money from hard working people by robbing them and who else other then Raspberry and her mother. She has a hard life but can things change or is this destiny?
My favorite character is Raspberry because she shows strength when she is challenged. For example, like the time her own father robbed her and then ran off with her hard earned money. Raspberry has the kind of street-smart that makes her different; she lives in a very dangerous neighborhood and is always looking to stay alert.
The climax of the story is when Raspberry made a decision to steal from Zora and denied it. This took me by surprise because she was not that kind of character; she was always so helpful to her mother and was an open and honest person. She was smarter than most girls until the moment she lied which wasn’t smart at all. Raspberry only lied because she thought she was helping her mom because they needed money to start a new life. Raspberry kept the money, but then her dad invited himself over to get something from their house and ended up stealing Raspberry’s money right out of her hands. It did not end there, he also stole the money that Raspberry stole from Zora, and that wasn’t the idea she had in mind. Now she has to work for the money that was taken and the money she needs to give back to Zora, if she will ever give it back?
I believe the author wanted us to understand and appreciate the little good things we have in life. Raspberry didn’t have much, she had to face life knowing that things in her life just weren’t perfect, but she worked hard to stay positive even if things weren’t what she had in mind.
I recommend this book to people who are faced with struggles that they want to overcome. In a way it’s inspiring because it teaches a lesson of life that there are consequences, and you can lose the friendships you have built, but when you lie, you can easily lose that.
I would rate this book a 10 because it was very powerful.

[Rinchen]

Sharon G. Flake was one of the authors that i used to love reading books from. Her, Walter Dean Myers and Sharon M. Draper were probably my three favorite authors back in Junior High and in the beginning of my high school years. What i liked about all these authors was that they all wrote about a common theme, which was teen life and the issues that average teenagers have to go through. I have read lots of other Sharon G. Flake books such as Money Hungry and The Skin I'm In.
This one is called Begging For Change. I thought that this was very emotional, to me it seemed like this situation that Raspberry (main character) was going through wasn't really typical but then as i was reading this book, this seemed more real and real. She is a struggling teen with a father that left her and mother that is facing issues of her own. With all the bad things happening in her life she starts to make bad decisions and causes to take bad actions.
This is one of those books where you really feel bad for the character in the book. I felt many times in the book where i just wanted to go in the book and help her. For example as I'm reading something in the book, i tend to make up what's going to happen next just so I'm satisfied.
good book and i would it to anyone.

[Qian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book Begging for Change by Sharon Flake is very interesting book that is different from other books I have read. The main character Raspberry have a tough life that teaches her security is all about money. With money she can do whatever she wants and nobody can hurt her and that is what she got out of her best friend Zora. When her mother Mrs. Hill got hit by a terrible neighbor Shiketa, her drug addicted father make his way back into the house. Raspberry have live a harsh life with her mother all because of her drug father and now he is back into the house, all he did is keep stealing everything from her own daughter.
The tough life of Raspberry had make me think of how fortunate I am to have a loving family and a caring parents because all this are really important for teenager. Home and family is what supports a person and if a person doesn't have this, they are not full, they did not live a truely happy life comparing to those who have it. Although some people might not agree with what I say, but that is what I think is most important to a person because that is what taught them how to love others.

[Gesha Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Begging for Change is an elegant book of overcoming the most arduous situations and moving away from them. Flake has captured through life of 1 teen and made it into everyday life for everyone. In Begging for Change, Raspberry Hill is a 14-year-old girl who refuses to be homeless anymore because her mom was brutally abused and is in the hospital. So in order for her not to be homeless, she will steal from anyone. Including her best friend, Zora. See but Karma kicks in and Raspberry's crack fiend father steals all her money to buy more crack. But in the end everyone keeps hope alive and makes it through and out of their wretched lives into a new destination. Some people may think there is no way out in this world, especially if you live in a poor neighborhood. But this book reassures you that there is a second chance in this world and you can live through it successfully.

[Saraoxenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

i learn for this book not to steal stuff that's not yours. its about a girl her mom gets in the hospital by getting hit by one of her friends. she stills from her friend that was money. so her dad breaks in her house still her money. the daughter helps her dad not get in jail so he gets hit in head by an officer so he stays with her daughter steals her money so the man and her mom and her move away so they don't have to get in bad relationships.

[Ryleigh Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting. Although I didn't completely understand what was going on all the time, I am still glad that I decided to read this book. I think this book is a big deal to our world because its important to our world because there are people out there who are not in a very stable living environment such as us. For example, they weren't very safe on there street because Shiketa and marcel. they also weren't very safe with Rasberry's father knowing where they lived. I very much enjoyed this book and I am glad that I choose to read it.

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final review: This book has taught me a lot of lessons. Here are a few themes that I came up with; Be grateful for what you have, don't take people or material items for granted, and finally, the one that is most important, always be yourself. That was the most important one I thought of because I thought the author communicated it to the reader most of all, and here are a few examples I found throughout the text. First, I noticed that when Raspberry stole the money from Zora, she wasn't being herself, also when she lied to Zora about stealing the money. And look where that got her. Nowhere good, she just ended up giving it back. The only thing she gained was the hate of her mew sister. Next, I realized that she was herself around Sato, which in the end he said that he liked that about her. That benefited her. Finally, she is always being true and honest to her group of friends, and that helped her gain the respect of her friends so much, that when they found out about her stealing the money, they stood by her.






I know that Raspberry is lost in her life currently. By lost, I mean really useless and just to always feel like there is no point to life. Here is the reason why i think this. First of all, the person that is almost the most important figure in Raspberry's life is totally scarred from her past experiences with Raspberry (Zora). At a pizza parlor, while Zora was in the bathroom, Raspberry stole a great deal of money from Zora's purse. Later, Zora found out. Zora is not Raspberry's sister, they are step sisters. Zora is hinting Raspberry's friends that she did something terrible, and they are going to find out soon. Everything is going to spiral out of control for her.


I believe that Raspberry will become depressed. The reasons that I believe this is that when Raspberry was forced by her mother and step father to call Zora, over the phone, I bet that Raspberry could cut the tension with a knife. Raspberry had stolen $100 from Zora, and she wasn't afraid to ask wether Zora knew or not. In the book, it said: "You stole my money." (63) Zora said in a cold and rude voice. This shows that Zora obviously did not have enough faith in Raspberry to ask herself: Hmm, maybe I dropped it... Raspberry was offended by that as well.



Raspberry is horribly sad. It just seems that in every single part of the book she is angry and crushed. But who can blame her, the two most important people in her life are always gone. But I have realized that Raspberry is actually more than happy when she is around Sato... Of course this is not a surprise, she plat out said that she really really liked Sato. "But after all I been through, I feel like I could beat the crap out of anyone in this whole world". (16) This means that the day she said that, she felt was horrible. So much so, that she is mad enough for the adrenaline to take her over and give her strength to fight even the strongest person.

[Courtnee J · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really like this book because i like the moral of the story.
If felt shocked and sad because a teenage girl that was on drugs and was a huge trouble maker she lived on her own and Raspberry the main character’s mom was always calling the cops on her because of all those reasons such as doing drugs, so the teenager Shakita got so fed up with it that she took a metal pipe and hit the mom on the head. So then the mom went to the hospital and got some of stitches and she almost died so then she would have to live on the streets with her crack head of a dad.
Some of my favorite parts of the books were when Raspberry’s friend Mia and her cousins came to visit for the summer. I also liked when Raspberry and a guy named Sato started dating because they seem so good together and they are really good friends and some told her that since they now go together (going out) that she couldn’t sell him snacks on the bus anymore. Also before they started dating Sato kissed Raspberry and her mom saw and she was on punishment (grounding) for a week.
I really disliked when Raspberry was stealing from Zora and the old lady across the street. When she stole from Zora she said that her dad gave her that money to buy her mom nice gifts from when she was in the hospital so she was really stealing form her (Zora) and Mr. Mitchell (dad) and her mom. So when Raspberry heard what Zora said that to her she gave back most of the money well what she had left from what her dad and stole from her! I also disliked when the cops beat her dad and he had a major head injury and then she took him home with her and she said that he could come home with her. She also said that his blood was almost black because of all the drugs he was on. And she took care of him and it back fired because he stole almost all her money from underneath her rug. and that is why i really like this story. this is the sequal to money hungry that will be just as good if not better!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raspberry Hill, the protagonist of this book, is a fourteen-years-old girl. Her father is addicted to drugs and her mother used to do drugs. However, she is badly beaten one time by one of the neighbors. Because of the misfortune in her family, Raspberry struggles to find security in her life and love from her parents. In order to keep herself from being homeless and fight for the survival of her family, she begins to steal money from her best friend, Zora. After all the effort she has put in stealing money from Zora, her drug-addicted father steals the money for his own use. Soon, she notices that she is not much different from her thieving father.

In my opinion, I think Raspberry Hill has made a very wrong decision. If I were her best friend, Zora, I would rather want her to ask me for advices, so that we can solve her problems together. However, I would feel that I get betrayed by my best friend if she stole money from me, while she still wants me to trust her. Although, she is poor and has the responsibilities to maintain survival for her family, but she should not betray or lie to someone who is being so close to her and trusts her deeply. Reading this book has made me believe ones’ environment and situation can really shape their personalities and affect their inner thoughts. I also realize how realistic and ugly this world is and the importance of money in the society, because money gives us what we want, either a better reputation or higher value of our lives. And therefore, people compete to earn the most money, even if they know they are wrong. In addition, I also hope that Raspberry’s father would straighten himself out, so that he participates in helping the family.

[Nikoleta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Begging for Change is about Raspberry and her live in the Bronx. She and her mother live in the projects and were once on the streets. Raspberry is scared of the fact that she can be back on the streets so she is trying every possible way to make some money. Everywhere in there apartment there are stashed dollar bills and coins. But when Raspberry's mom and her best friend's dad fall in love, Zora's dad takes Rasp and Zora out. Unfortunately, hungry for money, Raspberry steals the money from Zora's bag. From there they start fighting, but there is a bigger problem- Rasp's dad returns and he wants money. In the end Zora and Raspberry get along again and Raspberry starts going out with Sato, who she liked from the beginning of this book and in some moments in the first book.
During reading this book, I made a text-to-world connection. Raspberry and her addiction to money reminds me of all the people that are trying so hard to save money to save their lives. Raspberry is just one of these people, she and her mother have to go through all kinds of difficulties and struggles. A lot of poor or even rich people sometimes struggle and are close to the crushing line. Unfortunately, they don't always make it like in the movies or books, because reality is much harder.
I would definitely give this book 5 stars. I love how the author shows how Raspberry and her mother live through all kinds of struggles. Also, I like the little piece of romance between Sato and Rasp. I would recommend this book to people who like reading about struggles in life, management of money, etc.

[Januario]

Is it a sin to steal even if it is for your mother's survival? For Raspberry Hill, 14-year-old, begging for change and stealing her best friend's for money has become a necessity in order to keep herself from being homeless. Her mother used to do drugs and was severely beaten by one of her neighbors. With only her mother in her life, Raspberry is forced to stand up on her own and fight for the survival of her family. After all the effort she has put in order to steal money from Zora, her drug-addicted father steals the money for his own use. By betraying Zora, not only has she destroyed the relationship between the two of them but she has given his father the opportunity to buy more of his "happiness." Did Raspberry do the right thing by stealing from her best friend? In my opinion, she did the wrong choice. She could have asked for money instead of taking a large amount unnoticed. Sometimes we consider ourselves poor, but there are actual families like Raspberry's who have to beg for change in order to survive. Some even steal or do illegal jobs in order to survive. Reading this book has made me realize what this world has come to be. It is as if we were all in a competition for money, and the more we had, the better our life became. Money, however, is just a piece of paper. It does not buy us everything. Even without it, we can have happiness, be loved, and live this beautiful yet ugly world.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really, really, really fast book.
I neglected to read the book that came before this which is Money Hungry but after reading this I think I'll hunt it down. Just to get the beginning of the story really, not because it's not to miss literature.
The book is about a girl and her momma and their lives. They have it rough, the girls father is a deadbeat addict who keeps coming around, stealing from them. The mother is a stand up woman who is raising her daughter right. They live in a not so nice neighborhood and have some problems with a girl from around the way.
The majority of the book is about the girl stealing from a good friend of hers and not only dealing with the fallout from that but dealing with the feelings from that.
It's pretty darn realistic for some I'd say. She has a little boyfriend named Sato who is definitely like a lot of young guys I've known. She herself is a realistic character and her mother as well.
There is no foul language or unnecessary violence that I can remember. There is violence with the girl down the street and her friend but there is a mojor point to it and it's dealt with.
Great book for mature teens who would understand it.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Begging for change is the sequel to Sharon G. Flake's earlier novel Money Hungry. Its about a 14 year old girl named Raspberry who has gone through so many rough times at this early stage in her life. From being homeless to having an drunk bum as a father, Raspberry ultimately has no one to turn to as her mother is viciously attacked by a 17 year old girl who took her anger out because Raspberry's mother did not appreciate the "loud music" and other ruckus that was caused by her and her friends. Raspberry has a group of friends who she loves dearly including Zora, her best friend since childhood whose father is dating her mother. Reluctantly, Raspeberry ends up stealing Zora's money out of greed and spite, greed because she always did love money alot, and spite because she was jealous of all the opportunities that came Zora's way, never having to go through the real hardships in society. The book has alot to deal with finding your identity, accepting who you are, and teen love. Its a real good book to read, and id recommend reading the first novel "Money Hungry" as well!

[Nadia Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Begging For Change is about a fourteen year old girl named Raspberry who is still strugggling to find her own security and place in the world. Along with the struggle of trying to find her own place in this world she lives in this community she calls the "projects". With that being said there is known to be trouble or drama held all the time and for Raspberry she has just had enough of it!

She already has to deal with her mom nearly dying because of the attack her mom went from one of the neighbors. This girl named Shiketa came right up and knocked her mom right upside the head with a metal pipe! Along with the hard troubles of Raspberry and her mom being afraid at night to even go to sleep because they think that something else bad is going to happen, here comes her stealing, crackhead dad that has really never been in her life. Afterall, Raspberry is hoping for a change... and soon!

[Erica-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter was assigned this book for school...and I read all books she does in order to better help her, understand her curriculum, etc. I gave the book 3-stars for how I personally felt about it...and it just wasn't my style. That being said, I can understand why it is involved in her current curriculum and I think that there are many lessons in there pertinent to her peer group ... as opposed to when I was in school. Having just finished "The Giver", I thought this an interesting follow-up, but again, I can understand why it was chosen. Though I rated it based on my personal reading preferences and literary style, I would give it a higher rating in how it addresses teen relationships, moral issues, and basic life lessons... and I hope my daughter takes those aspects from it more than the glaringly incorrect way of speaking (although I appreciate the author being able to write dialogue).

[Hua · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title has caught my attention. The protaganist of the book is Raspberry Hill who lives in a poor family . Her father is drug addicted and her mom is alo used to be drug addicted. She tried her best to maintain her family. She stoled the moeny from her best friend to help her family however her father stoled her money for drug. She realized how she was like her father. I think she should've just ask her friend to borrow her money. I think this book teaches people how to choose a right decision. I think this book is okay . The middle part is a little boring but overall is acceptable. I would recommand this book to people around my age which is turning 17 because it really teaches people how to choose the right decision for their life. And Mr. Soskind too because he really likes to teach people how to make a right decision.

[Ambar Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book and I would recommend my book to my friends, this book is about a girl named Rasberry and she lives with her mom, her dad is a man who lives on the streets with his friend and they don't have food or clothes. Then one day his dad comes to her house to visit her, but he is actually their to trick and take her money. Then she kisses Sato and they start going out. Then Rasberry's mom gets hurt because a girl called Marica hits her with a pied and Rasberry lives with Dr. Mitchell and Rasberry's mom likes Dr.Mitchell. Zoras causen's come with them and they are 5 years old. When Rasberry's mom comes out of the doctor they move to another house because Rassberr's dad knows where they live and Marica also knows where they live and they always get drunk in front of their house. So they moved.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty good. I liked Rasberry's inner struggle and how it was resolved. I do hope that her father straightens himself out, but he needs to stay away until he's on his own 2 feet and not stealing from his 14 year old daughter. I liked how Rasberry's mom resolved her own struggle and i do think she could have shown a little more anger in her final letter to the girls that hurt her...Overall, I thought it was a good story...I'm not too sure about that boyfriend of Rasberry's-he seems like trouble.

[Kassia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine being a homeless girl, who begs for change - both literal and figurative. Raspberry, the girl who lives alone in the world has to face many factors and conflict in her life. Her neighbor comes and attacks her mother - which ends up bringing her druggie daddy back into her life. She tries to live up for what she wants and reach her dreams, but she notices that it'll be impossible - if she has no money. I really liked this book and recommend this as well. It really draws and captures the reader into thinking what their life would be like, in the shoes of Raspberry Hill.

[Ricky Ko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book "Begging for change" is about poverty. Raspberry's Dad is an alcoholic and left the family. Her mom works but makes just enough to support the two of them. She wears clothes her mother sews so she gets teased in school. This book taught me that real friends wouldn't make fun of you or make you do bad things.

I would recommend this book because its a good book to read. It also gives you a look at how lucky you are to have branded clothes, good food, and a dad. This book made me feel thankful for my parents. I think this book was really good.

[Nancy Cisneros · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is really good. It shows me how many poeple suffer because of money and how u loose some poeple because of money problems

[Zuleyma Vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading the book in my class it's really good

[Daisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very interesting book

[Laurie Old Account · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is an option for 7th grade English in my school district. I have many issues with it.
1. The writing is not very good. Simplistic and boring. This happened, then this happened, then this happened. I was never able to "see" the scenes.
2. The use of poor grammar throughout, while likely realistic, will only reinforce poor grammar for students that are meant to be improving their English language skills.
3. This is another story that reinforces stereotypes of minority groups. Drug addiction, broken families, not good parents. There are some good characters in this book but they are not realistic and seem naive (especially the main character's mother). The mother that gets beaten with a pipe and almost killed by a 17 YO neighbor wants to "save" the attacker who's own mother wears a huge diamond and says she's too much trouble. The doctor who rose from the projects to create a great life but then is tempted to get revenge by taking on the thugs while his daughter and her friend watch in the car. The no-good father who steals twice from his daughter and is strung out on drugs that miraculously comes around to clean up his life.
4. There is a side story about a girl who struggles with being bi-racial which would be really good if it was flushed out. Instead, you don't really ever get to know the character and her story is just told in one chapter that doesn't fit the rest of the novel.
5. References that don't fit - not being allowed into a section 8 community "people like me and mamma ain't wanted" although the community has much racial diversity. Why aren't they wanted? Several times the author describes characters dropping trash on the street. It doesn't add to the story and implies it's OK. What is the point of it? Comments like, "Man, you can hit sisters, you just can't hit girls outside your family. But sisters, they always got it coming to 'em" This is said in mixed company and no one challenges it. Again, what is the point? The exchange between two drug addicts (one the girl's father) talking about life on the street. Another adult says, "The girl is only fourteen and her mother's in the hospital. Hurt. She doesn't need to hear all of this." Neither do our students. Police in this story are called and arrest perpetrators when there is violence. In one situation they are a bit sympathetic, but for the most part they are not part of the story. Then, toward the end, this is said by the girl, "You ought to be taking care of me! I want to yell. Protecting me from the cops. Not me protecting you." The girl doesn't need protection from the cops. They have been there to protect her family. This is so out of place.
The only part I appreciated was the girls description of events and her feelings as she falls in love with a local boy. I think a lot of kids would relate to the emotions expressed and the interactions of the two.

I believe there better books that address moral issues and coming of age experiences.