Forged by Fire

Draper, S. M. (1997). Forged by fire. New York: Simon Pulse

Forged by Fire was the 1998 Coretta Scott King award winning book, and it is an ALA best book for young adults. The story opens with a fire in the apartment of Gerald, a three year old, who was left home alone by his mother who went out to get her drugs. At three Gerald was used to being alone, abused, and mistreated especially when his mom had male company. On this particular day Gerald found his mother's lighter and he began to make a torch for his G.I. Joe, before he knew it the curtains were on fire then the flames engulfed the entire apartment. His mother was sent to jail for child endangerment, and he was sent to live with his Aunt Queen. Although, Aunt Queen and Gerald faced difficulties like the lights being cut off or not having enough money, Gerald began to have a good life. Aunt Queen showed him love and made sacrifices for him, she was a great care giver despite being confound to a wheel chair. At the age of 9, Gerald's life changed forever when his mother Monique returned with a ready made family; a new little sister Angel and a step father Jordan Sparks. When tragedy occurs Gerald ends up back living with his mother. The new living situation comes with many conflicts. Jordan Sparks his step father is mean, always drunk, and abuses everyone in the family. Gerald becomes a protector for his little sister, and together they make it through the many struggles and hard times; always hoping to have a better life someday.

            This story is told in third-person-omniscient, The narrator uses the words he, she and it to tell us about the characters and insight about how the characters are feeling. On page 12 the narrator explains that "he was too scared to cry" to show how Gerald was feeling and what he was thinking. Sharon Draper also uses many literary devices to paint a portrait for the reader. On page 42 a hyperbole is used to explain Angel "She's  so little and skinny-- she looks like she'll break. The story also does a lot of flashbacks and foreshadowing. The flashbacks give background information or tells why things are the way they are. The foreshadowing give us a glimpse of what is to come. On page 33 Draper writes "He would need that moment of happiness to hold onto in the next few weeks, for a struggle was coming from which she could no longer shield him." This let us know that trouble was coming for Gerald. The underlying theme of this story was overcoming obstacles and struggles. There are many lessons young adults could learn from this story. Students could compare family dynamics by looking at Gerald's family and the family of his friend Rob , who came from a two parent middle class home. Students could also research domestic violence  and child abuse, and the effects it has on a family. Some big questions that could come from this story could be, What were the ways that Monique showed love to her children if any? How would you feel if you were Gerald or Angel? Why do you think Monique did not believe that Jordan was hurting her children? How would you feel if your mother believed her husband over you? Do you think the struggles and trials helped Gerald....if so predict his future and write about it.