Drive-By (Harper Trophy Books (Paperback)) - Softcover

Ewing, Lynne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0064406490 ISBN 13: 9780064406499

Publisher: HarperTeen, 1997

Synopsis

"Jimmy always told me there were only two kinds of gangbangers: Those who were dead and those who were going to die. Joining a gang doesn't make sense to Jimmy..."

Jimmy is dead now—gunned down in front of his little sister, Mina, and his brother, Tito. And Tito is left wondering: Was Jimmy in a gang after all? Ice Breaker Joe and Lamar think so. They say Jimmy was skimming their drug money. And if the missing cash isn't returned, Tito may have to pay—with his life.

Some people go to the crossroads, but Tito's crossroads laid themselves down in front of him. His brother Jimmy sprawls on the sidewalk at his feet. Shot in a drive by. Now a gang claims that Jimmy was their Ace Man. They say Tito must take his place and resolve some unfinished business. They give him a gun. "You need protection. It's not safe on the street." What path will be choose at the crossroads? He knows one leads to safety and one to death . . . but which is which?

About this title

About the Author:

Bestselling author Lynne Ewing began writing as a way to unwind from her job with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services. She is the author of Drive-By, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers and a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age; Party Girl, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, an Amazon Editor's Choice, and a Teen People recommended read; and the bestselling Daughters of the Moon series, which was also an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. She lives in Washington, DC.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-8?Jimmy was always joking around. That's what Tito thought he was doing that night in front of the library. But when the gang car sped away and Jimmy lays motionless on the ground, Tito realizes that his brother is dead. He later learns that Jimmy had been skimming money from his "deliveries" and hiding it from his gang and now that he is gone, the gang members begin a destructive search of Tito's house for the stolen cash. After being bullied, badgered, and threatened with death, Tito knows what he has to do. This novel explores the aftermath of a gang-related shooting in a first-person narrative style. While realistic actions and language propel readers through it, character development is minimal; thus, there is no sense of emotional involvement toward Tito and his family. The story encourages readers to do the right thing, but the overall effect is one of helplessness and lack of control. S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders (Viking, 1967) and Walter Dean Myers's Scorpions (HarperCollins, 1988) are far better explorations of gang life.?Jana R. Fine, Clearwater Public Library System, FL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperTeen
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0064406490
• ISBN 13: 9780064406499
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96