Forged by Fire

"Forged by Fire" is the second novel in the Hazelwood High trilogy by Sharon Draper, but one does not have to be familiar with the first novel to enjoy this one. Draper centers on Gerald Nickelby, a minor character in "Tears of a Tiger", and follows his progress from a neglected three-year-old to his junior year in high school. The story is powerful, straightforward, and honest. It is sure to resonate with a wide audience.As a three-year-old, Gerald is used to abuse and neglect. His mother is a drug addict who abandons him from time to time when she is strung out. However, one time while she is absent, Gerald accidentally sets fire to their apartment. By some miracle, he survives, and he is sent to live with his Aunt Queen while his mother serves time in jail. Gerald finally learns love at Aunt Queen's, but his newfound, sheltered and safe world cannot last forever. On his ninth birthday, Gerald receives the shock of his life - his mother is out of jail, has remarried the father of her second child, and wants Gerald to come live with them. Gerald desperately wants to stay with Aunt Queen, but her untimely death propels Gerald into a world of pain. For his mother's new husband, Jordan Sparks, is a mean, abusive man who has his sights set on Gerald's younger sister, Angel. Gerald finds himself abandoned again, but fights to survive if only to save Angel, the only living person he loves.Draper's writing has an immediacy that will have readers rushing to learn what happens to Gerald and Angel. Into Gerald's unhappy life, she weaves the tragic events that were the focus of "Tears of a Tiger", combining them with the final confrontation between Gerald and his vicious stepfather. "Forged by Fire" is a book that honestly captures the trials of a poor urban African-American family, but in the midst of all the tears, Draper instills her story with warmth, faith, and hope. Draper is a gifted writer who has been able to tap into the true inner workings of complicated teenage lives.

This book is a great/sad read. One of my favorite authors for sure. I’m glad to finally have it as a part of my collection.

My name is Austin. I am a 13 year old middle school student that read this book for my English class. This book is about a boy named Gerald and the ups and downs of his life. It takes place in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio in a low income neighborhood. The book from age 3 until Gerald is a junior in high school. It starts with him setting the house on fire by accident, while home alone. Because of this he goes to stay with his aunt until his mother is released from jail. On his tenth birthday his mother appears to take him home and his aunt dies. He moves in with his mom, her husband Jordan and her daughter Angel.Gerald finds out that Jordan is hitting his mother (Monique) and abusing his little sister. He gets help from his friends father and Jordan is arrested and sent to jail. After he gets out of jail he goes back and joins the family. Jordan no longer abused Angel but continued to hit Gerald and Monique. Gerald and Angel had a very positive relationship.In high school Gerald makes the basketball team and begin to make friends with the other boys on the team. One night there is a car accident where the captain of the team gets killed. Gerald is sad and confused because he couldn't do anything about the death of his friend.I recommend this book to anyone that doesn't really like reading, like me, because it keeps your attention.

Let me start by saying I am a social worker whose whole career has been working with youth and families. I read this story because it was on my daughter's reading list for battle of book. I like to know what my teen is reading. I was very moved by this tell. As a social worker we see the situation from one angle and try to work with the family where they are. I appreciated the getting to look at the internal thoughts of those involved in the situation. I think it so easy as a worker or even just as a neighbor, a teacher, church member to get jaded about or question our role in situations of abuse. This story reminds us what's at stake when we fail to be vigilant and what we gain when we offer that life line in the darkness just as Mr Washington offers to Gerald and Angel.