When his loving aunt dies, Gerald suddenly is thrust into a new home filled with anger and abuse. A brutal stepfather with a flaming temper and an evil secret makes Gerald miserable, and the only light in his grim life is Angel, his young stepsister. Gerald and Angel grow close as he strives to protect her from Jordan, his abusive stepfather, and from their substance-addicted mother. But Gerald learns, painfully, that his post can't be extinguished, and that he must be strong enough to face Jordan in a final confrontation, once and for all....

Amazon.com Review
Sharon Draper has indeed forged a fiery name for herself in the field of young adult literature--that of a courageous writer, willing to tackle tough, real-life problems while developing honorable, streetwise role models for troubled teens. Her previous novel, Tears of the Tiger, garnered much acclaim and became the first recipient of the Coretta Scott King Genesis Award. In this second novel, Draper weaves in characters from Tears--most significantly Gerald Nickleby, a young basketball player who discovers his innate strength and determination while protecting his stepsister's safety and his mother's honor.

Unfortunately, Draper's strengths (her desire to delve into tough social issues, such as child abuse, drug addiction, incest, bulimia, and domestic violence) become this book's weakness as the story line teeters on implausible. For example, in less than 20 pages Gerald faces the following: the death of a close friend (a passenger in a car that was driven by a drunk teammate); the discovery of his drunk, evil stepfather trying to sexually assault his younger stepsister; a brutal attack by his stepfather; and a raging apartment fire that threatens to kill them all. Nonetheless, Draper creates believable and important heroes for teenage boys--those who are forged from adversity, only to burn more brightly and courageous. (Ages 12 and older) --Gail Hudson

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 136 reviews)

Hook your reluctant readers!

If you have reluctant middle school readers, this is the book for you! Just read the first paragraph to them and shut the book. They will scramble to read the rest. Sharon M. Draper is a remarkable writer who puts the reader right in the middle of the story. You can never go wrong with one of her novels!
May 03, 2008

Has a magical effect on reluctant teen readers, but responsible adults beware...

I have read this book out loud so many times, I have whole passages of it memorized. I am a middle school English teacher in an urban school, and in common with at least one other reviewer of this book, I know that this book has the power to turn kids on to reading. My most reluctant readers and squirmiest students sit in rapt attention at this book and often seek out more of Draper's books on their own. Even if they don't find any more of her books (my resources are limited!) it often makes kids realize that books can have themes that interest them and plots that rival films for pace and drama.
That being said, I am starting to get a guilty conscience about taking the easy route, and turning them on to reading with such a tawdry, superficial, and badly written book. Good and evil are caricatures in this book; the young protagonists are psychologically unrealistic (too mature); the author seems to throw in every issue that ever made it to a daytime talk show (drug use, racism, the foster care system, sexual abuse, teenage drinking, death, suicide); and there are passages in which the sexual abuse is being described that make me very uncomfortable. They are not so much explicit as mildly eroticized, presumably to draw more interest and invite readers to speculate on details (which, believe me, my students do.) In one scene, the abusive step father is alone with the seven-year old daughter who is recovering from chicken pox. He orders her to take off her shirt. As I recall the passage basically goes (sad that I have it memorized!) "she tensed at the touch of his rough fingers as he searched for spots and found every last one." It is possible for a young adult novel to confront sexual abuse without strange, semi-explicit lines like the above and others in the book. I now find myself censoring as I read out loud. If the book had more literary merit, perhaps such details would not grate on me so.
April 26, 2008

Forged by Fire by Sharon M. Draper

Forged by Fire is about a young boy named Gerald. Gerald lives with his mother who is addicted to drugs. Gerald was left home alone one day. As a toddler, not knowing that what he was doing was wrong, Gerald set the house on fire. Luckily he survived and his mother was put in jail. Meanwhile Gerald was sent to live with his Aunt Queen. Life with Aunt Queen was better. After a few years he reunites with his mother. Later Aunt Queen dies. Well the end has some turns and I will let you find out what happens in the end. I really liked this book. It was so real and tells how people's lives are with drugs. It's a life learning story. I recommend this book to people who like mysteries, life threatening, and realistic stories.
November 30, 2007

FORGED by FIRE

Forged by Fire By Sharon M. Draper is about a boy named Gerald. His mother is a drug addict and would leave him home alone. He finally gets away from the abuse. He gets to live with his loving aunt until she dies. Gerald has to go live with his mom and his new stepdad. Jordan his new stepdad is very angry and abusive but know one knows that Jordan is doing sexual things to Angel. Gerald finds out and cant take it anymore.
This book is a very excellent book. I like it because it has drama and at the same time is sad.
I would recommend this book to all teenagers because all teens like drama.
November 30, 2007

Forged by Fire

Hard to put down! Even if you don't like to read, it's an interesting story.
September 30, 2007

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