BRONXWOOD Updated REVEIW

BRONXWOOD By Booth Coe  

SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND YOUR FATHER IS LOCKED UP!!

SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND YOUR BROTHER IS IN FOSTER CARE!!

(www.fostercarenetwork.org)

SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE AND THE WORLD IS ON YOUR SHOULDERS!!

Imagine being 16 years of age with the pressure of the world on your shoulders.
Bronxwood by Booth Coe captures the 2nd part of "Tyrell's life" after his father is
 released from jail. However, Tyrell struggles with facing fact he is not the MAN
anymore. The story unfolds in a simplified read about the
particulars of Tyrell's pressure.
He is faced with a past and tries to move forward
through his uncontrolled circumstances.

The setting takes place in the Bronx projects and paints a vivid picture of inner city life.
The disadvantages Tyrell face such as poverty, public housing

http://www.prattcenter.net & being surrounded with negativity not only
hinders his pursuit for development but causes a large damper in his family life.
He is upset that his life is not that of a typical 16 year old. THINGS, LIKE BEING
HAPPY WITH SUPPORTIVE PARENTS THAT ARE DRUG FREE ARE NOT
AT ALL INFUSED INTO HIS LIFE. His mother is not of great support and
readers are shown through text of her insecurities as well. As mentioned before,
his father is frest out of jail

http://www.nycourts.gov and wants to come back to save his son
from possibly making the same mistakes.

I think this book should be offered for only 11th and 12th grade students.
Reason being there is alot of profanity and some descriptions are rather
 graphic for younger readers. However, the dynamics of Tyrell life are
 important to anyone his age because students of the inner city would
probably relate. Although there is only once discrepency, that is I believe
the students would benefit better from reading BOOTH'S OTHER NOVEL
THAT TOUCHES ON THE SAME VITAL ISSUES.

http://www.readergirlz.com/issue200908.html

In addition, if I were to teach this novel to high school students
I would incoporate a class discussion centering around alternative
possibilities for Tyrell life. What if he could have talked to someone?
What if he had a mentor? Things like that I believe would help to
infuse a postive resolution for someone that has alot of disadvantages. 
It can also guide student to find ways for themselves if they are
encouteriung similiar obstacles such as Tyrell. Support groups or
maybe even a school counselor can be of help!!!

http://www.familyfirstaid.org/teen-counseling-therapy.html