Parents' Guide to

The Battle of Jericho

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Provocative story of high school hazing and peer pressure.

Book Sharon M. Draper School 2004
The Battle of Jericho Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Anonymous Fiend
Anonymous Fiend Parent
March 3, 2014
age 12+
I read this book my first year of high school, and I hated every moment of it. First off, the very cover offends my eyes, one, it has Arial font on it. Why? Next, the picture on the cover is of some kid wearing a tucked in shirt and jeans, which makes him look like a derp (because children don't tuck in their shirts, and when they do they don't like it). Well, I over looked the cover, and I opened the page to a prologue that seemed fine, a little off in the sense that it sounded like some sort of illegal boot camp training, but nonetheless it willed me to continue reading. Proceeding on, I found myself tearing at my hair over the dialogue, it was terrible, I couldn't believe this had won an award. First the kids were making sex jokes that sounded like they were trying to be discrete. Discretely joking. The rest of the conversations made me wonder if Sharon Draper had ever talked to a kid. then, the ending is too quick. Its over two hundred pages of nothing in particular, a tragedy, and then the end. This book is terrible.
The Tiger-Bird
The Tiger-Bird Adult
May 11, 2010
age 13+

Any Student Entering High School Should Read This Book

I had to read this book for my english class and it was an easy read. The book had a very good message and it brought a lot of discussions into the classroom. In my opinion, kids that are entering high school should read this. It gives them a look at some things that might happen but doesn't put them into the situation where they are in danger.
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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?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (10 ):

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

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