Forged by Fire (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780689818516)

The flame of love burns bright in the second book of Sharon M. Draper's award-winning Hazelwood High trilogy.

When Gerald was a child he was fascinated by fire. But fire is dangerous and powerful, and tragedy strikes. His substance-addicted mother is taken from him. Then he loses the loving generosity of a favorite aunt, and a brutal stepfather with a flaming temper and an evil secret makes his life miserable. The one bright light in Gerald's life is his little half sister, Angel, whom he struggles to protect from her father, who is abusing her.

Somehow Gerald manages to finds success as a member of the Hazelwood Tigers basketball team, and Angel develops her talents as a dancer, despite the trouble that still haunts them. And Gerald learns, painfully, that young friends can die and old enemies must be faced. In the end he must stand up to his stepfather alone in a blazing confrontation.

In this second book of the Hazelwood High trilogy, Sharon M. Draper has woven characters and events from Tears of a Tiger in an unflinchingly realistic portrayal of poverty and child abuse. It is an inspiring story of a young man who rises above the tragic circumstances of his life by drawing on the love and strength of family and friends.

Author: Sharon M. Draper
ISBN-10: 0689818513
ISBN-13: 9780689818516
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Language: English
Published: 01/01/1998
Pages: 160
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.20lbs
Size: 7.13h x 4.29w x 0.48d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.7
Point Value: 5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 14814 / Forged by Fire

Award: Coretta Scott King Award - Winner

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 01/05/1998