Bang!

by Sharon G. Flake

Bang! Guns really sound like that, you know.
Bang! And people bleed from everywhere, and blood is redder than you think.
And little kids look funny in caskets. That’s ’cause they ain’t meant to be in one, I guess.

Mann is only thirteen, yet he has already had to deal with more than most go through in a lifetime. His family is still reeling from the tragic shooting death of his little brother, Jason, each person coping with grief in his or her own way. Mann’s mother has stopped eating and is obsessed with preserving Jason’s memory, while his father is certain that presenting a hard edge is the only way to keep his remaining son from becoming a statistic. Mann used to paint and ride horseback, but now he’s doing everything he can to escape his getting involved in fights at school, joyriding at midnight, and much worse. His father, at his wit’s end, does the only thing he thinks will teach his son how to be a he abandons him and his friend Kee-Lee in the woods, leaving them to navigate their way home, alone.

Now Mann, struggling to find his way back to civilization, must also reconcile himself to the realities of a world that has stolen his little brother, and that isn’t even sure it still wants Mann in it. One wrong turn and it could all be over for him, too. Bang.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, African American, Teen, Coming Of Age, Grief

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

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

[Reving · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm. I love Sharon Flake. Money Hungry, Begging for Change, Who Am I Without Him, You Don't Even Know Me. L-O-V-E her! So I feel terrible about not liking Bang! The thing is, Bang! is a really good book. I just hated it. It was so upsetting. It made me so angry. It was just so sad. Now sometimes I can give a book a rave review anyway, when I agree that it is wonderfully written but it upset me. This time it just upset me so much that I just can't give it a glowing review.
Mann is a young teen growing up in a neighborhood where death is all around him. His seven year old brother was shot and killed in the crossfire of an argument between two strangers. Guns are everywhere. His parents are still grieving the loss of their son and basically his dad has flipped out totally. Mann's father comes up with a ridiculous plan to make a man out of Mann, to somehow toughen him up so that he won't be killed, like his little brother was. The grief in this book was just too much. I know that this is real. It was just so so harsh and I'm not brave enough to handle it. I'm ashamed of myself and I feel helpless when I know that there are folks out there who have to live like this every day. How long, O Lord, until You come again? Your people are suffering. Hear our prayer.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Abandon Alert! This book just did not do it for me, and I'm not sure it would do it for many teenagers either. While I don't think the idea of the book is bad, and perhaps some teens who live in similar situations would enjoy the book more, I just felt like it was too negative and drawn out. It seemed like every other page had the two friends, Mann and Kee-le, physically fighting and then being best friends again. To go with this, it just seemed like parts of the story that could have been two pages were twenty pages. Different situations that were not that intriguing seemed to go on forever. I really can not see all too many teenagers enjoying this book. Again, the idea is good, but I just didn't enjoy the story.

Developmental Assets: Family Support, although at times it was very tough love. I wouldn't want to be dropped off and forced to walk home for two weeks, but for some reason the dad thought he was doing the right thing.

For the most part the characters were believable, especially in the grief they felt for the loss of loved ones, especially Mann's family with the loss of the youngest son. But, like I said, it seemed like the two friends were physically fighting all of the time. Perhaps it is realistic in neighborhoods such as the one in the book, but to me it does not seem very realistic.

I wouldn't promote this book, but if I had to I would promote it by discussing how we deal with loss and the fear we have of dying ourselves or losing another loved one.

VOYA: 3Q, 2P, J, H

[Albert Mendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a thirteen year old boy and his lil brother got killed sitting on the porch playing wit toy soldiers and this guy came and shot him in his head nw all of his family is sad and angry about this lost. now his dad is tryn to teach him how to survive in the hood he took him to a forest presserve and elling them how to shoot a gun but he is afraid but kee-lee isnt afraid he always wanted to shoot a gun and he did. kee-lee friend moo moo got kiled and his lil brother now this kid name rock wants to kill them so the dad is tryn to teach them. his dad left them at the forest to see if they can find there waty back home.

[Selena Mccracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book somehow made it into the juvenile facility where I worked. It was being passed around and worn out, and that was among white girls who, like myself, couldn't really imagine being in Mann's shoes. It's crucial that more people read this book and become aware that American kids live in a war zone, too and grit won't save them. We have to change.

[Krystal Estrada · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you would like to know about how some people had to struggle and try keeping their family together. If yes this book Bang is the perfect book for you. This book is like realistic fiction because it probably did happen. I personally love this book it's just so heart taking and very interesting.
In the book "Bang" their is this boy named Mann and him and his family had to struggle a lot. One of the biggest struggles was when his 7 year old brother got shot on his front porch while playing with some toy soldiers. Every year it was his birthday they baked a cake and always did something his brother will love. Mann which was 13 years old never went out through the front door because it alway brought back some bad memories. One day his father got really mad at him because he was crying every time it was his brothers birthday and because he was being to scared to go in the front porch. His dad took him and his friend to go fishing,just when they were about to leave a big storm came. His dad said I will be right back I'm just going to get the car. He never came back. He just left his own son and his friend all alone. They had to walk so much to go back to their house and one they they need money they start painting for people to get the money and they do. One day they ha to get drugs for Mann's aunt so they can get money. On their way over their they got jumped and they took everything they had. This book is conflict vs people because he had to go against his dads will to tell him it's ok to cry once in a while.
I was really sad when I found out his 7 year old brother got shot in front of the porch for no real reason because it's just really dumb and immature for someone to kill some one just because they wanted to. The thing that grabbed my attention the most was when Mann was crying because that showed me all guys are not afraid to cry In front of people especially your dad because it takes guts and shows how much of a man you really are.
I was furious when Mann's dad just left them without any one to look over them except them selves because who would do that to their own child it's just cruel and disappointing. The main character is Mann because he has been through the most pain and he was struggling but he got over it and he proved his father wrong.
In conclusion I rate this book a 5 because it explains so much and is just really amazing and the author always writes amazing books. I would recommend this book to people who really like to learn something in the past and what peoples really had to be through. This book is just really amazing and next time you think of getting a book you should really check this book out.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: 6th-8th grade
First person narrative

Plot: The death of a son and a brother is a hard toll to take. The unexpected death of a son and a brother for no reason pushes a family into fear, despair, confusion, and isolation. Two years after his brother is killed, Mann still cannot step onto his house's porch where Jason was shot by some kid the same age as Mann. His mother still bakes cakes for Mann on his birthday and his father becomes abusive and overprotective. While the father wants to protect Mann, his means of protection result in a far disturbing ending.

In a last attempt to teach Mann how to survive, his father abandons Mann and his best friend, Kee-Lee, on a camping trip where they must travel several weeks through the unforgiving wilderness and experience belittling racism on their journey home. Finally home, Mann's father throws Mann onto the streets in order for him to "figure out the man you wanna be" (187). Mann and Kee-Lee go to Kee-Lee's money-scrounging Aunt to live in a house filled with misery and gambling. Once she finds out that both boys like to paint, she exploits their talents. After Kee-Lee threatens and abuses one customer for not paying, the man shoots and kills Kee-Lee. With no one left, Mann lives on the streets stealing purses, begging for money, and drinking. He finally finds refuge in the run-down stable he used to frequent as a child. He attempts to nurse two dying horses back to life where his father soon finds him.

The majority of this book is tragic and very real. While the issues described are somewhat manipulated to keep the reader interested, the characters have excellent depth and provide various perspectives of an area ravaged by shootings and death. Also, the tragedies aren't sugar-coated but provide real reactions and coping mechanisms like family and art.

Quotes: "'So I figure,' Kee-Lee says, 'If I'm gonna die, why I gotta waste the time I do got sitting in school learning stuff I won't use'" (14).

Father: "'Grace, don't you know that black boys is for hunting and killing and burying?" (100).

[Abigayle Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off let me just say, I’m mind blown and upset. This is the second book I have read by Sharon G Flake and I got to say she’s a very talented writer. I have read pinned and I fell in love with the book. The thing I like about Sharon G Flake is that she puts an imagine in your mind that you could think to yourself “Is this real? Do people actually do this? Is this realistic?”, and I think that’s what I like the most. She leaves you gasping for air cause you can’t believe what had been said or why they did what they did. She is very very very talented and I hope I can be able to read more of her books.

For my review on Bang, I gotta say I am very disappointed on how these situations happened in the book. I’m not meaning this in a bad way. No no I’m not, that is a very good thing. Flake wanted you to get in touch with your inner feelings and imagine yourself in the same shoes as that poor little boy. Sometimes I would cry just reading It, cause you start realizing that actually happens in real life. It’s sad to see Mann’s life get turned upside down by one familiar face dead. Just imagine a small boy, a teenager, living like that, going through that and alone.

Look I’m not going to spoil the book for you but I’m just telling you now. When you read this book, do not read it in public, do not read in a library, do not read it with your best friend/ friend with you. This book is meant to be read by yourself, alone to grasp the feelings. I believe that young teens entering high school and on should read this. This book isn’t good for a young child to read. Wait till they get older, it will allow them to get an image on how life should be and how it shouldn’t.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I decided to read this for a couple of reasons. One, I'm trying to read more YA books by African American writers. Two, I'm trying to find more titles that will engage my African American students, especially the males who are often reluctant/struggling readers. Three, Alfred Tatum describes this as a meaningful and relevant text for African American males in his book, Reading for Their Life, which I am currently reading.

I stopped on page 150. I read this with the same lack of interest that I had when attempted reading Gary Paulsen's classic Hatchet. This novel is essentially the African American version of Hatchet. Only it deals with survival in the outdoors as well as in poverty-stricken inner-city neighborhoods. It's a sad book. It's depressing, actually. I felt totally down when I read the first 100 pages. I totally forced myself to struggle through the next 50. And then I realized I don't have to read this so I stopped altogether.

What's crazy is that I'll totally add this to my classroom library and I'll recommend it to a bunch of kids because I know they'll like it and it'll mean a lot to them (specifically my black male students). But I didn't like it because it was an incredibly emotionally draining read for me.

[Lisandro Padron]

The book was about a boy named Mann who's family wasn't the same after his little brother was shot and killed for no reason. Mann's dad thinks he's being a "sissy girl" for crying and not standing up for himself. He goes on a camping trip with his dad and his friend Kee-lee and one night his dad leaves them there. They have to make their way back home on foot, despite all the problems they come across. After Mann doesn't return home and lives by himself for a couple months, his dad, who was kicked out of the house by his mom for leaving Mann and Kee-lee alone, finds him in a horse stable, he learns somehow that he's a man.
I thought the book was really good. I would never like to live under those circumstances but living that way interests me. It makes me more grateful of what I have in life. The characters in the book are so used to hearing people around them get killed and I think nobody should get used to that. I know of some family members of mine that have died but I get shocked when I hear that they passed away since I'm not used to it.
I liked the book because it lets readers, who might never experience this, know how people live in some parts of the world. The first person point of view makes the reader feel as if they're actually living that life. They'll understand better that anywhere is not always a safe place to live.

[Lamar Pickett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bang! is a fictional novel by Sharon G. Flake. The narrator of the novel is Mann, a thirteen year old boy who's younger brother Jason was shot and killed two years before the story takes place. Mann's parents both continue to struggle with coping with Jason's death. Mann and his best friend Kee-lee paint pictures of life and violence in their neighborhood mixed with their own imaginations. Mann's father takes Mann and Kee-lee out of town on a camping trip and leaves them to fend for themselves and find their way home so that they may become men. Upon their return Mann and Kee-lee are kicked out of their homes and go to live at Kee-Lee's aunt's house. Running errands and doing jobs for Kee-Lee's aunt leads to Kee-Lee's death. Mann turns to a life of crime until he decides to live at the now abandoned horse stables he had visited since he was a child. His father finds him there and makes amends with Mann for the way he treated him.

Overall this book was very sad and gray. Because of the depressing nature of the novel and a lack of a resolution for events in the first half of the story I would not recommend this book.

[Brittany..Snooty]

From the very first page to the last thisbook grabs your attention and haves you flipping the pages faster then your fingers can function. Not only ws it truely sad buit it was an eye opener to how violence and the death of a single person can efect a family so greatly. I can only imagnie how it feels to lose someone that close and have my family go completely insane and things in my neighborhood to be so chaotic. Something as simple as sitting outside of your home can lead to your death...Not only did the book gra my attention from the first page and keep it the entire way through but it is now one of what I consider one if n=my favorite book of all times. Even for those who dont like to read, this particular book will alter your mind set while its in your hands. Not to mention it is an easy read and yull whip through it so fast you will not see the ending coming. I would recommend this book to any and everyone who can read. Sharon Flake hasout done herself once more! Kudos to BANG!

[David Dejesus · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Sharon G. Flake's amazing novel Bang the main character Mann deals with a lot of tragic moments in his lifetime. Recovering from the recent loss of his little brother Jason, Mann and his family are full of grief. Mann's mother is trying to do everything she can in order to keep the memory of Jason from fading away, while Mann's father is trying to get over it. Mann's father also doesn't want Mann to end up like Jason therefore, he does everything he can do in order to make Mann "Man up". And he doesn't care if he has to take it to the extreme. Now Mann is doing everything he can to try to find away to live on with a missing whole in his life that is Jason.
A reader of this book will get moved by Mann's journey through this tragic situation. My favorite part of the book is when Mann's determination allows him to overcome one of his father's extreme attempts of transforming Mann into a "man".

[Reyzhyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bang! That is the sound in Mann's head that replays over and over. Where he lives someone dies everday. Then one day the worst happends. His brother,Jason dies. Every since his little brother was shot and killed he hasn't been the same and his relationship with his dad quickly goes down hill. His dad is still upset about Jason's death and doesn't want to loose another Son. So, he tries out some methods to make Mann and close friend Kee-lee into men. I strongly disagree with his methods because it almost got both of them killed. The two of them went though a lot and in the end one of them becomes number 31. You'll never believe what happeneds; once you think you've gotten it all figured out the least expected happeneds. This book will definetely meet your expectations.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, it does begin with a bang: "They kill people where I live." Flake introduces the randomness of inner city violence along with the very deliberate attempt on the part of the father of the protagonist (not so subtly named Mann) to toughen up his son. Years after Mann's younger brother is shot dead on his own porch, his father mimics an old African ritual by sending Mann and a friend into the wilderness to prove their manhood. Like most of Flake's work, a strong voice and stronger sense of place pull readers into the lives of those living in the inner city.

[Randy Florian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book bang is good book.This book is about a boy named mann and hes going throgh alot in his life.He is struggling and trying to fight the fact that his brother jason died.Mann has a friend named kee lee and kee lee's brother has also died so him and man start smoking weed to forget about it.Mann is getting into fights and bad things because his brothers lost.Manns father thinks he got to be a man and be tough.so he dicides to abandon him and his friend in a place and let them find their way back home.

[Mrs. Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this author but the subject matter of this book was extremely depressing and hard to read. A young adult name Mann struggles to survive in his neighborhood filled with violence. He experiences so much loss that both him and his family aren't sure what to do. His dad comes up with a very risky plan. Despite a somewhat "happy" resolution, I am not sure I would recommend this book due to the depressing nature of most of the story.

[Gray P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book "Bang!" by Sharon G. Flake, was a amazing book. She used a lot of figurative language and a lot of similes. The book had lots imagery and vivid detail. I like Kee-lee the best out of every character in the book. But I don't like the part when he was killed because Mann didn't seem too sad and it felt like the author rushed it. I would rate this book a four out of five stars. And I recommend it to people who like a sad story.

[Mr. Baad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good - but disturbing - book. After the shooting death of his little brother, the main character starts to cut school and get involved with drugs. His father tries to shape him up, but his "tough love" stance makes things go from bad to worse. Definitely worth reading.

[Kadian Spooner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all about a boy who lost his little brother and by then decision of his father has to live his life on his own. despite what he's all the odds he finds a way to survive.

[Kierra Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this a really sad book because the little boy got killed

[Ese K Katz3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ese Kessington 10/24/13


I really loved reading the book Bang! by Sharon G. Flake, a realistic fiction book. This novel was filled with sadness, happiness, hardship, and comedy. The two main characters, Mann and Kee-Lee have a lot in common. They’re best friends, go to the same school, and live in the same neighborhood. The main conflict in the story comes from neighborhood that Mann and Kee-Lee live in. They live in one of the roughest neighborhoods around. In their neighborhood, people are always being murdered. In their neighborhood, you could get murdered for stepping on the wrong person’s shoes, looking at someone the wrong way, and just being at the wrong place at the wrong time. That is exactly what happened to Mann’s seven year old little brother Jason. Jason was on the porch on a sunny afternoon playing with his little toy army soldiers when a random man ran onto the porch. The man was screaming, then Jason started screaming. Mann was in the backyard when he heard Jason screaming. He ran to the front of the house to see what Jason was screaming about. A boy ran onto the porch and the gun in his hand went off. Just like that bang, the man and Jason were shot and killed.
Mann is only thirteen, yet he has already had to deal with more than most go through in a lifetime. His family is still trying to cope from the tragic shooting death of Jason. Since that day, Mann just tries to get by day by day. His mom is sad all the time from Jason’s death. His dad always acts like Jason never existed because he was in the army and he says real men don’t cry no matter what. Despite the tears he sees most of the time from his mother and the way his father talks like Jason never existed, Mann can always hear Jason talking to him. At random moments, Mann thinks of Jason and how much he wishes his brother wasn’t shot at and killed like most innocent people where he lived.
Mann and Kee-Lee always skip school and hang out together. They figured that there was no point in going to school because where they lived; the kids got shot before they got to adulthood so school would just get in the way of them living their life before they were killed. Kee-Lee is a very strong influence on Mann. Sometimes it’s good, but most of the time it’s bad. Kee-Lee smokes weed, acts like a thug, and won’t let anybody tell him what to do. He puts on the tough guy look on the outside, but on the inside he’s very much like Mann, strong willed and independent. He finally gets Mann to follow in his bad footsteps and one night they do something ridiculous. Mann and Kee-Lee get high and take Kee-Lee’s dead cousin’s car out for a ride and they almost crash. They start to do more dangerous things and act worst and worst. Mann’s dad finally had enough of Mann’s bad behavior and tried to set him straight. His dad makes Mann go to a crack house complex to clean the place up. Mann’s father was certain that making Mann do that would teach Mann a lesson about not trying to be a thug. Mann’s father also hoped that Mann would grow into a man. In the end, that didn’t teach Mann a lesson at all. He just went back to doing the same bad things as before. In a last-ditch effort, Mann’s father plans a “camping trip” for himself, Mann, and Kee-Lee. He is willing to do whatever it takes to set Mann and Kee-Lee straight and turn them into men. In a turn of events, Mann’s father leaves Mann and Kee-Lee in the woods all by themselves. He expects Mann and Kee-Lee to come back home as men and find their way back home, that is, if they make it back home.


One main theme in the novel Bang! was survival. Survival was very important when Mann’s father left his son and Kee-Lee. They did everything to try and survive. They begged for food and money just to get by. Another main theme in the novel Bang! was overcoming challenges. A quote that talks about overcoming challenges is a something that Hellen Keller said. She said “All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.” A part of the story that relates to this quote and overcoming challenge was when Jason died. It was very hard on Mann and his family. Each person in his family dealt with Jason’s death in a different way. When you get towards the end of the novel, you see that despite everything bad that happened to Mann, it only made him stronger. The setting of the story played a significant role in the story. Mann’s neighborhood was a negative influence on him. He was constantly around violence and put in potentially dangerous situations. I think Mann should have pushed his dad into moving somewhere else instead of staying in such a bad neighborhood.
The writing style of the novel is very different from most novels. In the story, most of the characters use slang and broken English to talk. The way the story is written, it gives the reader a sense of what the characters really sound like. The story is set up very well from the beginning to end and leaves you with suspend at the end of each chapter. At the beginning of the story, the mood was very gloomy. No one felt very lively and upbeat because something always reminded someone of Jason, but then they would remember that he was dead and never coming back. I felt really sorry for Mann because he felt like it was his fault that Jason was dead. He felt that he should have never left Jason on the porch by himself on that day. With time, Mann couldn’t handle all the things that were going wrong in his life and he started doing many bad things. This was the rising action in the novel. He started smoking weed and didn’t go to school anymore. I really didn’t know how to feel about this part of the story. Part of me felt like Mann didn’t know what to do with his life since everything was going so wrong for him. Another part of me felt like Mann knew better, he just didn’t care about the consequences of what would potentially happen to him because he figured he didn’t have anything else in his life to lose. The climax of the story was when Mann and Kee-Lee realized that Mann’s father had left them in the woods and expected them to navigate themselves back home. I was angry when I read that because it was like Mann’s father basically abandoned Mann and Kee-Lee. The first thing that struck my mind was how cruel Mann’s father had been. Towards the end of the story, the tension in the story increases. So much happens with Mann and Kee-Lee and the story just gets more and more interesting. I really enjoyed reading the novel Bang! By Sharon G. Flake!

[Jazmín Carranza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in middle school and loved it so much that it has been one of my favorite books in a long time. This book demonstrates how life in a terrible neighborhood is. Mann experienced a great loss in his family. His little brother got shot and his family is having a hard time to let go. Experiencing everything that is going on leaves him sad and confused. His father tries to make Mann a man and leaves him in the woods with his friend. Mann tries to find a way back, but does he? As a person of low income, I have never lived in a town full of violence. My father wanted a safer environment for his kids so he would work hard to afford to live in a safer town. I understand that not all families can do that especially after a loved one passing away. This book can help students understand that it takes time to heal from a death. It also demonstrates how others live around the U.S. One thing I noticed was that this book focused on living stereotypes for African Americans, but it also brings out awareness. Since there is no illustrations in this book I would use the book in my classroom as an assignment. Students would need to create a visual representation of their favorite scene in the book and share to the class why they liked that scene so much. Amazing book!

[Darius Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creative Rsponse
Dear sharon G. flake,
there is a lot of stuff i really liked about your book.One thing i really liked about your book is how realistic you made your book seem.To me i felt like i was watching a movie when i first read your book. I also liked how you explained the details in the book, like the settings, how the characters felt and the thoughts that were going through their mind.
I also liked the way you structered the book because i was able to compare some of the parts with my life abd the book. the part that really connected to me waswhen Mann and his brother were playing outside on the porch and Mann went inside for just a few minutes and "BANG" his little brother got shot. I'm relating to that because i really care about my brother and i would probably be going through the same thing just like him.I think if Jason was alive then their family would have a better life. Also i think there wouldnt be so much tension going through their household.
All together im just really glad that i rwad this book because i feel that this book taught me a lesson.
THANK YOU for making this book.



BOOK SHOUT OUT


BOOK SHOUT OUT!!!!
One image that i really liked is when my character Mann and his father is are in the woods trying to make Mann become a man in life because where they're living life is very hard for a lot of kids and their families
The thing i liked most about this book is how important Sharon G. flake made his father because she mentioned a lot about how he wanted to help his son. i lould like to compliment Sharon G. flake on how much she put the readers in the book.
The image that stuck with me is when Mann and his father went into the foods to help Mann grow up and overcome his little brothers death.
This book changed the way i see the world because this book is showing that life is hard and the only way to stay alive is having a education to be successful.

[Cayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this book I have to give a shout out to the BARC - reading challenges group I'm in. I would have never picked this book to read on my own, but it fit into a reading challenge I'm participating in so I did pick it up.

Bang! is a very nitty-gritty, real, intense look into the life of a young African American boy whose family has been traumatized by the death of his little brother. Jason died on his own front porch, playing with his toys due to gun violence. The loss of Jason has affected the entire family and Mann's father takes extreme measures to try to make sure that they don't lose Mann the same way they lost Jason.

Bang! has a lot of impact, because terrible things happen to Jason and his friend Kee-lee after the actions of his father. I won't go into details because of spoilers, but when the boys are at the Truck Stop, the racial violence they encounter from the truckers - made my blood boil, stuck with me the entire day - because things like that, even in 2017 still happen and it is absolutely atrocious that we still see this today. This book is from the perspective of Jason who is in Middle School, it is one of the books that I think would make a great impact on kids and adults alike when they read it. Makes you contemplate, reevaluate and adjust your thinking.

*I can't figure out how to erase my "review" of the hardcover, but I've only listened to the audiobook, I have not read the hardcover, this was my first time with this book.

[Elonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a kid who is growing up in an unsafe neighborhood. He gets distracted from baby sitting and his little brother ends up shot and killed. After this misfortune his family and home life is not so good. His parents are suffering from depression and all type of changes, so the kid that is the main character pretty much is having a hard time. He turns to marijauna usage, and not going to school. His dad feels as if his youngest son would not have been in his situation if he would have taught him to be a man, so he tries to make Mann a man by leaving him and his friend in the wilderness and forcing them to make it home by themselves...

I actually did like the book. I loved the details and how it strongly showed how each character developed and changed through out the the story. What I didnt like about it was that it kept dragging on and became boring. It wasnt boring enough to stop reading but it did become over whelming and I had to re-read parts. Over all it was a good book though and started well.

[Joshay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about this boy and his friend and his little brother got killed on his front porch playing with his toy soldiers when there was a terrible drive bye and his little brother was caught in the cross fire. His dad began slowly going crazy and say that him and his friend kalle should become men so they would fall victum to being shot. The dad droped both boys off in the woods and left them there and told them to find away home it took them two weeks to get home. In the end kellie died becuase he got into it with some guys from around there hood and that boy was left with his dad.

This book was so good and said at the same time. It started off slow but started to pick up and i think the author did a good job because it keeped me intrested.

[Bryce Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bang! is a novel that took place in the deep and rough streets. It tells the story of a young boy named Mann and his father who will have to go through tough times to regain the healthy relationship they had before Mann's brother Jason died. At one point in the novel Mann's dad got so angry at him that he left him in the woods to navigate back home with his friend Kee-Lee. I would recommend this book to all teen aged boys that like a book about family and death. With all this I give this book our out of five stars because its major plot twist at the end... read the book to find out

[Haley Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was heavy. Sped read it after a 6th grade ELA teacher questioned me giving it to her kids and sent one child back to get a new book. But uh yeah, I get it. Risky content (the kids smoke lots of pot, ya'll) aside, this book was so emotionally heavy and made me so sad. It's great, there's a lot going on but wow does Mann ever catch a break? Nope. Quick read, powerful story- prepare yourself (and the youth) before diving in.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is really nice. it's about a boy who is really suffering from his brother's death. and goes through differnt changes with his parent while they are all trying really hard to forget about the death.they are trying to get everything back to normal, but how can they with the lose of jason?

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some unexpected turns from what I thought was going to be an urban streetcorner kind of book.

But, please, no starving horses. Noooo!