Module Five: Forged by Fire

This is the story of Gerald, the story of a young African American boy and his journey to man hood. A story of survival, love , loss, and facing the past.

Draper, Sharon M. (1997). Forged by Fire. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Out of all the books I read for this module, this was best. Its doesn't hold back on realism, but doesn't go too far with details that could have been added. Even though this was a story about an African American, I got so involved with the characters that the race of the characters was forgotten and these could be the white kids down the street, I like that. It makes the story all the more realistic. All the more grabbing and doesn't let go story.

Reviews:

Publishers Weekly

This prequel to Draper's Tears of a Tiger is a stark portrayal of a young man struggling to protect his little sister from a drug-addicted mother and an abusive father. Ages 10-up. (Jan.)

Children's Literature

As a neglected toddler of a drug-addict mother, Gerald almost burns to death in his apartment. Rescued by his strong, loving Aunt Queen, Gerald enjoys a warm secure life for a few years; unfortunately, Aunt Queen dies and Gerald's mother and a cruel, abusive stepfather enter his life. The only positive part of this new family is his gentle, younger, half-sister, Angel whom he struggles to protect from his evil stepfather. The author, winner of the 1995 Coretta Scott King Genesis Award, does a good job of depicting Gerald at different ages and stages of his life, from age three to age 17. Social issues are skillfully interwoven into a realistic novel with an admirable protagonist and a page-turning plot.

Children's Literature

It was a big year for Sharon M. Draper who won the Coretta Scott King novel award and was also named the 1997 National Teacher of the Year. The book serves as testimony to her commitment to honestly revealing what she sees in classrooms. It is the story of Gerald who, in early life, almost dies in a fire when his abusive mother deserts him to search for drugs. Until he's nine, he thrives when his tough and loving Aunt Queen takes hold of him. But at nine, his mom's back with an abusive husband and a small sister who he's determined to protect. His reliance and courage gives witness to the spirit of the suffering young.

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10Gerald, a battered and neglected African-American child, is severely burned in a fire at the age of three, having been left home alone by his single mother, Monique. Upon leaving the hospital he goes to live with his warm and caring Aunt Queen. When he is nine, his mother reenters his life for the first time since the accident. Monique introduces him to Angel, his four-year-old half-sister, and Jordan Sparks, Angel's surly father. When Aunt Queen dies suddenly of a heart attack, Gerald is returned to his mother and takes on the role of loving protector of his little sister. He soon learns that Sparks, who mentally and physically abuses all of the family, is sexually abusing Angel. Gerald and Angel's testimony helps send Sparks to prison, but upon his release six years later, he returns to the family, with the blessing of Monique, whose own life is checkered with bouts of substance abuse. A terse confrontation erupts into a fiery climax when Sparks again attempts to molest Angel. The riveting first chapter was originally published as a short story in Ebony magazine under the title "One Small Touch." While the rest of the book does not sustain the mood and pace of the initial chapter, Forged by Fire is a grim look at an inner-city home where abuse and addiction are a way of life and the children are the victims. There's no all's-well ending, but readers will have hope for Gerald and Angel, who have survived a number of gut-wrenching ordeals by relying on their constant love and caring for one another.Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI

Kirkus Reviews

An African-American boy grows into a decent man, a loving brother, and a steadfast son despite the cruelties of his childhood in this latest novel by Draper (Tears of a Tiger, 1994, not reviewed, etc.). Although three-year-old Gerald is burned in the fire caused by his drug-addicted mother Monique's recklessness, his life takes a turn for the better: The court sends him to live with his aunt, Queen. Wheelchair-bound and poor, Queen has a loving heart and boundless spirit that nourish and cultivate Gerald for six years, until his mother walks back into his life. When Queen abruptly dies, Gerald moves into Monique's home, where he becomes devoted to his younger half-sister, Angel, and suffers at the hands of his mother's new husband. Jordan is a bully, drunk, and child molester; while Angel and Gerald get him convicted (the police show up as Jordan is about to abuse Angel), he eventually returns to haunt the family after serving his jail term. While Draper's narrative is riveting, it is also rife with simplistic characterizations: Aunt Queen is all-good, Monique is all-stupid, and Jordan is all-evil. In addition, there are enough logical twists in the plot without the seemingly gratuitous death of Gerald's friend, Rob.
A touching story, burdened by contrivances.

In the library, could be used in a Black History month display, Also could be used in a book talk to bring about awareness of abuse.

Cover rights belong to Anna Scatto.