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Forgiving Moses
Moses Vargas hates his life. He has been forced to move four times in as many years, and he s tired of starting at another school, having everyone stare at him and trying to make new friends. Most of all, he doesn t want to have to deal with questions about his father an inmate in the California Department of Corrections.
When Moses discovers that someone has been sending out text messages with a photo of him and his father in a prison uniform, he ends up in a fight and then suspended for three days. School counselor Ray Gutiérrez agrees to reach out to Moses. He realizes that several boys at Roosevelt High School are dealing with absentee fathers, putting them at risk for failure or dropping out. With permission from the principal, Mr. Gutiérrez starts an after-school support program called Círculos .
Moses grudgingly attends the sessions that draw on indigenous and cultural roots to empower the boys. Realizing he is not the only one with a problematic home life and the new friendship of a pretty classmate whose father is also in prison helps Moses to begin talking about his anger and embarrassment. But will he really be able to overcome his resentment towards his father?
The tenth installment in Velásquez s acclaimed Roosevelt High School Series that focuses on social issues relevant to teens, Forgiving Moses addresses the painful issue of children, particularly brown and black youth, whose fathers are not present in their lives. Touching on the disproportionately high number of men of color in prison and its effects on society, this short novel for teens will generate conversations about the possible consequences of making bad choices, responsibility to family and the impact of incarceration.
When Moses discovers that someone has been sending out text messages with a photo of him and his father in a prison uniform, he ends up in a fight and then suspended for three days. School counselor Ray Gutiérrez agrees to reach out to Moses. He realizes that several boys at Roosevelt High School are dealing with absentee fathers, putting them at risk for failure or dropping out. With permission from the principal, Mr. Gutiérrez starts an after-school support program called Círculos .
Moses grudgingly attends the sessions that draw on indigenous and cultural roots to empower the boys. Realizing he is not the only one with a problematic home life and the new friendship of a pretty classmate whose father is also in prison helps Moses to begin talking about his anger and embarrassment. But will he really be able to overcome his resentment towards his father?
The tenth installment in Velásquez s acclaimed Roosevelt High School Series that focuses on social issues relevant to teens, Forgiving Moses addresses the painful issue of children, particularly brown and black youth, whose fathers are not present in their lives. Touching on the disproportionately high number of men of color in prison and its effects on society, this short novel for teens will generate conversations about the possible consequences of making bad choices, responsibility to family and the impact of incarceration.
160 pages, Paperback
Published May 31, 2018
10 people want to read
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December 8, 2023
Moses Vargas has just moved to a brand new school. He is a very intelligent kid with a solid understanding of mathematics and science. Unfortunately, after having only been at the new school for a brief period of time he discovers that his classmates have been talking about his incarcerated father. Some view him in a more positive light, while others simply seek to make fun. Shortly after getting in a fight and a subsequent suspension, Moses’ school counselor Ray Gutiérrez reaches out to him. With the help of culturally diverse students, Ray Gutiérrez is able to assemble a club gathering where many of his students are able to discuss family issues regarding absent fathers.
This book tackles themes regarding forgiveness and parental relationships. Moses’ relationship with his mother directly suffers as a result of tension between him and his father. In addition to these themes regarding interpersonal relationships, common cultural/systemic issues surrounding incarceration and family units are an additional focus of the book. The potential negative impacts of the idealization of “gangbangers” (as referred to in the story), are directly discussed. Finally, the book incorporates themes regarding dealing with prejudice of minority groups and engaging in positive personal growth.
This book tackles themes regarding forgiveness and parental relationships. Moses’ relationship with his mother directly suffers as a result of tension between him and his father. In addition to these themes regarding interpersonal relationships, common cultural/systemic issues surrounding incarceration and family units are an additional focus of the book. The potential negative impacts of the idealization of “gangbangers” (as referred to in the story), are directly discussed. Finally, the book incorporates themes regarding dealing with prejudice of minority groups and engaging in positive personal growth.
Displaying 1 of 1 review