What They Found: Love on 145th Street (by Walter Dean Myers)
common sense media says
Powerful, intense short stories of love in the inner city.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that these are stories about life in the inner city and in Afghanistan. There is plenty of violence, sex, and drugs, though nothing is described, just referred to -- and the intense material is really used to illustrate the tough neighborhood the protagonists inhabit. Indeed the characters in this book struggle to show love and caring despite often desperate situations. The author gives readers a lot to think about: Are we all really born
with the same chances in life? Is the difference between right and
wrong always obvious? What personal strengths or characteristics are
necessary to persevere in tough situations?
Educational value:
The author gives readers a lot to think about: Are we all really born with the same chances in life? Is the difference between right and wrong always obvious? What personal strengths or characteristics are necessary to persevere in tough situations?
Positive role models:
The characters struggle to show love and caring despite often desperate situations
Violence:
Mentions of child abuse, fighting, gang initiation, a knife fight, and a stabbing in the eye; several people have or seek guns; a beating with a pool cue; IEDs and snipers in Afghanistan; a young man is killed in battle.
Sex:
References to making love, homosexuality, a naked girl tries (unsuccessfully) to seduce a boy, teen pregnancy, a teen has sex with an adult (not described).
Language:
One use of "p---y" to mean a weakling. Muslims are referred to as "rag heads," which is compared to the N word.
Consumerism:
One mention of Armani.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
References to drugs and drug abuse including crack and marijuana; teens are stoned and addicted. Some cigarette smoking. But this behavior is not glamorized; it's used to show how difficult the world these characters inhabit is.
More on What They Found: Love on 145th Street
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Most useful reviews by all members
Monserrath
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
WHAT A GREAT BOOK
WELL ITS STRATED BY A BOOK REPORT SO I PICKED A BOOK I STRARED TO READ IT IT WAS A GREAT BOOKED. i READ LIKE 3 TIMES ALREADY I DID GREAT ON THE BOOK REPORT KNOW I HAVE TO PRESENT IT TO THE WHOLE CLASS.
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