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readwithpassion's review against another edition
3.0
This book is narrated from two urban teens' perspectives: Arielle, who has an overpowering and controlling step-father and Kofi, who is trying to get a scholarship to get into MIT while struggling to kick his addiction to Oxys. While this book is marketed as a school shooting story, the majority of it is about two teens in urban schools learning what it truly means to be a hero. I liked the integration of the Beowulf story. Some of the dialogue was a bit dated for me. The way the characters spoke reminded me more of how I spoke in high school, rather than my current students. I think the slang was a bit off, and some of the writing didn't flow very well for me. The story was engaging, and I think my students will enjoy the book.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
3.0
This is the third book in the trilogy with [b:Battle of Jericho|266663|The Battle of Jericho (Jericho, #1)|Sharon M. Draper|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173279584s/266663.jpg|951682] and [b:November Blues|266666|November Blues (Jericho, #2)|Sharon M. Draper|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266510221s/266666.jpg|258548], so you might want to read the first two books first in order to get better acquainted with the characters; I felt a little lost picking this up on its own. It's set in an urban Ohio high school, where Arielle lives with her rich stepdad and mom but is unhappy over his controlling ways; Kofi is hooked on pain pills but trying to keep it secret from his girlfriend; another girl, November, is back at school mid-semester after having had her baby girl. The story follows their relationships, how Arielle, a reformed bully, is trying to make it up to her former victims, and so forth. In the mix is a storyline about students' iPhones and other gadgets being stolen, and how the school reacts to this thievery. It all builds up to a tense armed-student confrontation...
lizlogan's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first Sharon Draper book that I (believe I) have read despite the fact she is local, and I know for a fact, a wonderful supporter of literacy in this area. I picked this up without the realization that it was the third book in the series, and while I can see that it would have been helpful to read the earlier books in the series, there was enough information that I could still understand and pick up what had happened and was happening. I liked the variety of different characters and the circumstances of their lives, and will probably circle back around at some point to read the first two books in the series.
POPSUGAR 2017: A book by a person of color
POPSUGAR 2017: A book by a person of color
collinsdonique's review against another edition
3.0
was disappointed felt like still too many loose ends
evamadera1's review against another edition
3.0
It's sad that the positive things that I have to say about this book are comparisons to previous books in the series and by this author. I found this book better than other Draper books I've read recently because unlike the others the narrative isn't quite as split, the dialogue isn't as cheesy and the situations are not as cliché. Unfortunate,y Draper manages to bring up several issues at the end of the book and leave them hanging with no chance of resolution. I wouldn't recommend this book, primarily because one would have to read through the first two to get to it. There is better YA lit out there than any of Draper's books.
mldavisreads's review
4.0
The third book in the Battle of Jericho trilogy, this book follows November Blues. The plotline is definitely more engaging if the first two books were read. The book is marketed as a school shooting book, but really there is a lot more going on. One of the students is battling an addiction to painkillers, all of the students are trying to figure out college plans, there is a theft spree going on and the school is trying to catch the criminal, and Arielle is struggling at home due to a controlling stepfather. A good read to remind teens of the power of friendship and the power of isolation.
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