Forged by Fire

GERALDS REMARKABLE STRUGGLES!

THE NOVEL FORGED BY FIRE IS YET THE BEST BOOK IVE READ IT IS A CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION. THE STORY TAKES PLACE IN CINCINNATI, OHIO ABOUT A THREE YEAR OLD BOY NAMED GERALD WHO ALWAYS GETS NEGLECTED AND ABUSED BY HIS MOTHER WHO IS A STRUGGLING ALCOHOLIC AND DRUG USER. THE AUTHOR REALLY GOES INTO GREAT DETAIL ON WHAT THE THREE YEAR OLD IS EXPERIENCING AND BRINGS EMOTION TO HER READERS. THE MAIN CHARACTER GERALD SOON FINDS HIMSELF A OLDER LOVING, CARING 12 YEAR OLD LIVING WITH HIS AUNT. GERALD WHO HAS ALREADY BEEN THROUGH MORE THAN ANY 12 YEAR OLD HAS IS SOON TO LEARN THAT ITS ONLY THE BEGINNING. THE AUTHOR BRINGS INTO THE STORY A SISTER GERALD SOON REALIZES HE HAS AND BECOMES A VERY CARING PROTECTIVE BROTHER TOWARD HER. GERALD WAS SET AS A STRONG CHARACTER DIDN'T LOSE HIMSELF THROUGH HIS MANY STRUGGLES AND DID WHAT HE HAD TO DO TO KEEP HIMSELF AND HIS LITTLE SISTER ANGEL SAFE. THE AUTHOR HAS BROUGHT THIS STRONG MESSAGE ACROSS THE READERS BECAUSE GERALD IN THE END HAS NOT BROKEN OR GAVE UP HE JUST GROWS STRONGER. THIS NOVEL IN GENERAL WILL REMAIN A FAVORITE FOR ME IT HAS BEEN YET THE ONLY BOOK THAT HAS KEPT ME READING PAGE AFTER PAGE WITHOUT STOPPING. THE AUTHOR DOES A GREAT DEAL OF BRINGING HER READERS TO FEEL AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CHARACTERS ARE GOING THROUGH.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Very Disappointed!!!

I was interested in the series of 3 books that Sharon M. Draper wrote. On the back of the first book it states that it is about a teenage boy who while drinking and driving accidentally kills his best friend and the feelings he is going through after. I started to read the first one and was very upset about the many conotations about how "white folk treat blacks". the first few statements fine, but it kept going on and on. Most of these statements had nothing to do with the story line! I was disgusted by some of things that were said. Ex. His father's job is to kiss white peoples butts. then he states his father is too busy for him. Now the second part of that sentence should be part of the story relates to the book. Andy is upset his younger brother likes blond girls-what is wrong with that? Talking to his Dr Andy states you had white counselours who would talk to black students and see their point of view and help them out with college and grades? Again not part of the story. Andy states history, but the teacher never calls on me because she assumes I am just another black kid. So it is easier to pretend I am stupid.Lotsa white kids and some white teachers and even black teachers also think all of us are sorta dumb. In the book Gerald is abused by his stepfather and two white teachers talk and say it doesn't bother him, because black kids are tough. This was one of the most disgusting parts of the book. I almost stopped reading it at that point! I am a "white folk" and I was abused as a child and it has NOTHING to do with race! Those two white teachers tlaking were HORRIBLE people!Why is everything we read in English class we read black usually stands for bad and white is good is also in the book. The teacher does a good job of explaining that it is not completly racially motivated it is used to create images of contrast. they talk about what other phrases color is used as a metaphor to express an idea. Purple passion, white heat,etc and then they talk about how chocolate is great but that white chocolate is even better. They state Dag! Everything that is good that is dark, they take it and make it white! Rob is in heaven complaining about being only with "white folk" Again I am not saying these things don't happen in real life, but if I knew I was going to read a book mainly about racism instead of a boy who is having problems with killing his friend I would have chose not too. There were a few things I really liked in the book. Andy's actual feelings about his killing his friend-asking why he is alive and Rob isn't and why he didn't go to jail. When they talk about Macbeth in English and Andy takes it to heart by what they are saying. His friends finally caring and trying to get him help. His girlfriend being there for him. His poem of Hope is awesome! gerald's teacher explaining to him that poetry can be like rap music. The teacher stating that times have changed.Sterotypes of color, race and gender are slowly disppearing. it's up to you people to make the world a better place.The ending was very good. I am very disappointed in the author who was a English teacher for 25 years. there was no need for some of the material to be in the book. I took the book back and didn't read the other two. I have read many books by authors of all races,genders and cultures and have never felt this disappointed. I just don't understand the racial issues being in there when most of them had nothing to do with the st

3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

!

Should i read this????

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Never Ending Suspense . !

Hazelwood High series gets better and better . ! I lllovee how you get to know almost each charecters backround. I read this book today, I just couldent put the book down. ALL HAIL SHARON . !

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Good Book

I loved this book! It was addictive! I finished it in 2 days, which is good 4 me. I recommend it to kids 12 and up :)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good

Such a good book. We are reading this. I just had to buy it for myself.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very Good Book ;]

Forged by Fire was a very good book to me because it had a lot read about and kept you wondering on what’s going to happen next. It also had a lot you can learn from, such as drugs, violence, alcohol, etc. (a brief summary) This book is about a 3 year old kid named Gerald who lived in a small Cincinnati apartment with his widowed/drug addicted mother. Even as a 3 year old child he is faced with challenges having to do with his mom. He hides behind his couch because he thinks it’s a spot where he can hide from all his troubles. Since Gerald’s mom is a drug addict she has lighters lying around the apartment. Gerald starts playing with one while his mom was out getting drugs and ends up starting his whole apartment on fire. He ends up living with his Aunt Queen because his mom was sent to jail. After 6 years of living with his aunt his mom finally comes home from jail, with a husband. Gerald moves in with his mom and her husband, Jordan, along with Jordan’s daughter. As time goes by things just start getting worse for all of them, and causes tragic accidents to happen. I chose this book because it seemed like it would be thrilling to read. I was right; it was one of the best books I’ve read in a while. i do not like reading, but after reading this book I’m sure i will be reading a lot more books like this one. It has all types of entertainment for the reader. Also, this book is good because it is a realistic fiction. This book relates to our modern world today. It can be related to all different types of families and there issues with other friends or family members. I highly recommend reading this book and also sharing it to other people.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A really good book

This story is about a young boy who eventually becomes a man. He starts off very young, while he was abused constantly by his mother who apparently had a drug promblem there seemed no help was near. One day he was left home alone as a child and burned the house down and almost killed hiself in the process. Child protective services took him, and he was then raised by his aunt queen. This lady was tough and very diciplinary and raaised gerald to be a strong, and responsible young man. She was poor but she did the best she could to provide for Gerald. Six years later his mother got out of prison and decided to pay him a visit and to get gerald back, but he refused. That same day aunt queen had a heart attack, and Gerald was forced to stay with his mom. He seen a lot of bad things, which later came to the surface and was confronted. He couold not do it by hiself, but with help they were later solved. I choose this book because i heard it was a good book, and it was a really recommend the reading of this book to others its worth it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Gerty

Goass

Forged by fire!!!!!!

Best book ever! This book will have you feeling sad happy and angry you should totally read

Forged By Fire

This Is The Best Book Ive Read All Year

Me

This book is amazing i just love this author she is just an amazing writer im about to read darkness before dawn but this is a recomendation also i really advise november blues that also is amazing

Wow

This book is the best I would recommend you to read "my soul to take"

A great book

A great book to read but make sure you read the first book, Tears of a Tiger.

Unbelievable:)

I own the full copy of this book and i find it fascinating . Draper came to my school and I was able to get an autographed copy. For those who haven't been able to read this book i reccomend it.

Amazing

This book keeps you on your toes it sad funny hapy it my absolute fav a must read:):):):):) a shocking ending you dont want to miss this oportunity
to read this amazing book

My new fav

Thrilling and going straight to the heart about child neglect i say 10 or11 and up

A Must-Read! Flaming suspense!

The novel, Forged by Fire, is an amazing, heartfelt story. Gerald, at age nine, is reunited with his drug-addicted mother after being separated from her at age 3. As if it isn’t hard enough that his loving Aunt Queen just passed away, he is thrown into living with a mom he’s uneasy about, a stepfather he doesn’t know, and a little sister, Angel, that he didn’t know existed until now. Living in a world of abuse, Gerald and Angel realize they need each other to make it out of the flames and leave their fiery life behind. I recommend this book because it really pulls you into the world of these characters and makes you feel the pain they’re feeling. With a great storyline, and good characters, you won’t be disappointed!

Great Book

“Forged by Fire”, is a great book with action and struggle of two children, Gerald and Angel. Angel’s father, Jordan Sparks, abuses them, but Gerald is very protective of Angel. They get through, but how? Read the book and I recommend this book because it is a real world situation and easy to visualize in your head. Also very easy to understand and feel the pain of there suffering. Great book.

Click here please

I havnt read this book but, by these reviews that i have read this is a really good book.
I have been abused as a little kid by my mother AND father and i tryed to do something about it but that didnt work out so well and now i am living with my aunt. My mom does visit me from time to time but i will never, NEVER forget what she put me through and what she has done to me in the past. I still love her, no less and no more, but tjis book really shows what some people go through and its just very, very sad to know that some people do this to thier children.
Please read this book and you will know what i am talking about.