Common Sense Media Review
Provocative story of high school hazing and peer pressure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
The coolest group in Jericho's high school is the Warriors of Distinction -- they wear cool clothes, have great parties, get all the girls, and do the occasional service project. When Jericho is invited to pledge he's surprised and thrilled. He even gets the girl of his dreams. But he's less thrilled with the initiation activities, and with the way the first ever girl pledge is being treated. The activities seem scary and border on abusive. But he's determined to make it and not let his friends down. Then tragedy strikes.
Is It Any Good?
THE BATTLE OF JERICHO imparts a worthy lesson about going along with peer pressure and making bad choices. But while Draper certainly takes on a timely and compelling issue by examining hazing, readers may find that the plot is secondary to the point. And the dialogue -- with an abundance of exclamation points -- fails to ring true.
This book is part of Draper's series that also includes the stronger installment November Blues, which looks at the life of a pregnant teen.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about hazing. How does the presentation of it this book compare with what you've seen at school? Do you think Jericho's story is realistic?
The sequel to this book, November Blues, features Jericho's girlfriend. Are you interested in following the story?
What's fun about reading a series? Why do you think publishers may want to print them?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : School
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Penguin Group
- Publication date : March 17, 2004
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 12
- Number of pages : 297
- Award : Coretta Scott King Medal and Honors
- Last updated : September 26, 2024
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