3.5 stars. This was a quick read that was pretty powerful. I thought it was a bit better than Draper's first novel. It was similar to her first novel in that it covered some difficult topics, but it did not use the device of telling the story from many different narrators. My opinion could be influenced by the fact that I was a student where Draper taught in the late 80s just before she started writing novels. I really enjoy reading her books - her voice shines through them. ( )

When Gerald is 3 years old his mother leaves him alone in their house and he accidentally starts a fire. Luckily he is rescued by a neighbor and he spends the next 6 years living with his loving aunt while his mother is in prison. When his Aunt Queen dies he ends up having to move back in with his neglectful mother, her abusive boyfriend and the 6 year old sister he didn't know he had. Together he and his sister must endure abuse and find the strength to seek help.

It's a quick read that's hard to put down. Though extremely PG in language and abusive descriptions, there is enough to leave the reader with a feeling of sadness that such situations are being endured by innocent children every day. Though the characters are African-American, teens from all backgrounds will be inspired by the story. ( )

This was a book I read in middle school. This is my favorite book that I have read. I actually read this book in two days. It is about a young boy, who's mother is a drug addict, father abuses him, and him and his sister are just trying to make it day by day. At the end he does get through the adversity. I would recommend this book if I was in a lower income school where poverty is high, because one of the students could relate to it. ( )

this is the second time I read this book. First time 3 years ago when it was on the Battle of the Books list and it is on there again for 2011. Still just as disturbing the second time reading. I actually hurt for Gerald and Angel and almost cried when Queen died.

Gerald is 3 when the book opens.
Gerald's mama, Monique, is very rough as she hits him with her belt or shoe and hits and hits and hits. p 2
Aunt Queen looks in on him regularly. Gerald goes to live with Queen after he sets the apartment on fire and his mother goes to jail for child abandonment. She is a "real" mother to Gerald, loving and nurturing.
Monique gets out of jail and shows up with Jordan Sparks, her husband and Angel, the daughter she had in jail. She was pregnant when she went to jail. Now she wants Gerald to come live with them, but he hardly even remembers her.
Queen decides she'll never let Gerald go with them after she sees the kind of man Jordan is. It is obvious Jordan has no use for children.
Jordan and his mother have been raising Angel where she has been abused by both of them. Queen tried to get Angel but they wouldn't let her have them.
Then Queen has a heart attack and dies and Gerald now has to go with Jordan and Monique.
Jordan is especially mean to the children when he is drunk and Monique looks the other way.
Then Jordan begins to molest Angel who is now six
Gerald is now a student at Hazelwood Middle School and has made friends with Rob.
Jordan is abusing Angel so badly that Gerald confides in Mr. Washington, Rob's father. He takes action and Jordan lands in jail for child molestation. Monique is angry and blames the children and never admits the abuse.
Andy and B.J. are friends and are on the basketball team with Rob and Gerald.
Angel is taking dancing lessons and is a natural at it.
things change again when they come home and Jordan is there. Eventually he moves back in and leaves the children alone, but Gerald doesn't trust him.
Kiara, Angel's friend and Rob's younger sister.
One day Monique gets hit by a car and her brain is never right again. Jordan stays but is disgusted by Monique.
After the basketball game, some of the guys, 17 years old, are planning to do a little drinking.
Gerald goes home in order to watch Angel since Jordan is home.
Keisha calls Gerald because Andy, her boyfriend hasn't come by as he promised.
There was an accident involving a drunk driver, Andy, and Rob is dead. His family is devestated.
Amazingly Jordan seems to become more civil to the children and Monique lives in her brain.
But then one day, Jordan comes home very drunk to find Angel alone. He says he needs female companionship and forces Angel into the bedroom.
She has put some hotdogs on to boil and while Jordan is raping Angel, the kitchen catches on fire.
Gerald comes home and Jordan tries to kill him.
Jordan is dead. He fell trying to run out of the burning apartment not even trying to save the children.
Gerald carries Angel to safety falling over an object in the doorway.
Firefighters come to fight the fire and an ambulance comes to take Gerald and Angel to the hospital, where Monique seems to have been jarred back to reality. She rides in the Ambulance as does Tiger, Angel's cat.
"With flames and fear behind the,. Geral and Angel ride together to the music of the sirens which had decoaretd thier past and would forge their future." p 150
Actually Jordan did save their lives. When Gerald tripped over Jordan's body, he fell with Angel putting them on the floor where the air was breathable.
( )

Narrated by Thomas Penny. From cover: Gerald is 3 years old when his mama leaves him alone in the house while she visits her drug dealer. He finds her cigarette lighter and soon the house is ablaze. Mama is sent to prison and Gerald goes to live with his beloved Aunt Queen. When he turns 9, Gerald unhappily learns that his mama is being released from jail and wants him back. Suddenly he must switch from a loving home to one dominated by his abusive stepfather, Jordan. When Gerald learns Jordan is molesting his younger half-sister Angel, he fights to protect her, supported by his best friend's father Mr. Washington.