Parents' Guide to

Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, and Stuff

By Monica Wyatt, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Funny and sensitive story of friendship.

Book Walter Dean Myers Friendship 1975
Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, and Stuff Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Teacher1234
Teacher1234 Adult
October 27, 2010
age 10+

Great Discussion Starter

I am a teacher, reading this book aloud to my class. We have had some wonderful discussions, not only about how to be a friend, but how to be someone going through a tough time, as well. If you have never been through something hard, you may become confused, angry, quiet, or over-compensate with joy. We talked about how all reactions are okay. However you are feeling is how you are feeling, and that is okay. I think this discussion was really appropriate and helpful for my kids.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
nlittle1
nlittle1 Parent of 2 and 4-year-old
December 11, 2009
age 12+

the best real world connection for students!

I have read this book personally and with my students. It is wonderful. There is no better real world connection in literature. The students love it! It talks about issues that most students go through or know someone who has gone through them. It has been a very beneficial book for my classes. I would not recommend this book for anyone under the age of twelve.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Stuff moves to 116th Street in Harlem and meets the boys and girls who will be his friends. They stir up plenty of humor just hanging with each other, but when tragedy strikes, the group decides to form a club called the Good People to help each other. Mostly funny, sometimes serious, this is a wonderful portrait of friendship.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (2 ):

Plenty of humor and realistic dialogue make the characters in this story come alive. Walter Dean Myers has written numerous books about the gritty life in Harlem. In this book he concentrates on kids who deliberately do good for one another, stay away from drugs and sex, and have fun together. Meanwhile, they help each other cope with serious difficulties.

The episodic story progresses until readers have a bright portrait of these kids who grow up in a tough neighborhood, but who remain kids. They have the support of their families and each other, and learn the difference between being people and playing roles.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the role that friendship plays in each character's life. How do their friends help them overcome difficult situations?

Book Details

  • Author: Walter Dean Myers
  • Genre: Friendship
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Penguin Group
  • Publication date: January 1, 1975
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
  • Number of pages: 190
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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