Tears of a Tiger
by Sharon Draper
Subjects: Death, Sports, School Stories, Mental
Conditions, African Americans
Genre: Sports
“A man shrieks in pain. Crying to the universe. Panic is
abrupt.” This book is about choices, decisions and their resulting
consequences. It covers six months in the life of 17 year old student and
basketball star, Andy Jackson. The author in addition to using dialogue also
tells his story through letters, prayers, news articles, and homework
assignments. It begins on Nov. 7th the night Andy and his friends
make a decision that changes his life and the lives of all his friends, family
and classmates. That night after winning the basketball game Andy and his best
friends B.J., Tyrone and Robert celebrate by sharing four 6 packs of beer.
According to the newspaper article, “Robert Washington, age 17, . . . who was
sitting in the front seat next to the driver, had his feet on the dashboard. The
force of the crash sent his feet through the windshield, pinning him inside the
automobile. The car’s gas tank exploded. Although Jackson tried frantically to
rescue Washington, he and his friends watched helplessly as Robert Washington
burned to death.” There are some decisions good or bad whose consequences
affect the rest of your life. Some limit your options some give you more. For
Andy the choice to drink and drive is one of those decisions. You’re Andy and
the choice you made just killed your best friend. How do you live with the
memories? Can you? What choices will he and those around him make in the 6
months to follow? To find out, read Tears of a Tiger.
Booktalk
prepared by Janice Bailey, East Central High Librarian