Read It UP!

Before I start discussing the plot of the book, let me start by saying I listened to the audiobook of Homeboyz.  The narrator, J.D. Jackson, did an excellent job with the voices for the characters. Each character’s voice was so believable, even the female character Diaz.  I think 8-12 graders will really appreciate how authentic the gang members sound.  (You know kids will not be hooked if the gangsters sound “fake.”)  The main character Teddy sounds completely different from the gangsters, he sounds educated, inquisitive and a little full of himself.

Teddy (aka TB) is doing pretty great despite of the rough neighborhood he lives in.  He is excelling in school and is being recruited for a CIA summer academy. Until…his sister is an innocent victim in a drive by shooting.  At this point Teddy’s world changes.  He decided he must get revenge for the death of his sister by the local gang the 010s.  He stakes out a small group of gang members at a local convient store. Teddy’s very well prepared.  He has tricks them into “selling” him drugs, so he can get them alone in a deserted alley.  He quickly incapcitates two and is bargaining with the third to find out who killed his sister.  Before he finds out, the police arrive.  Teddy is put in juvie.  I greatly appreciated the accurate portayal of time in juvie.  Teddy says it is not something that you are proud of or excited to tell your friends about.  It’s hell.  After his time in juvie, he gets probation so long as he participates in a new community program and wears an ankle monitor.

This community program involves Teddy mentoring a younger boy, Micah, who is also on probation and on the verge of joining a gang.  Micah is a HANDFUL!  He mimics Teddy and refuses to call him Teddy.  He won’t work on his homework with Teddy.  He is stubborn.  Teddy finally befriends him when he brings in some Burger King and shares with Micah.  Micah is living in a foster home and doesn’t get much  to eat.  Teddy sees how hungry Micah is and realizes why Micah is the way he is.  Teddy starts making an effort at this point.  He takes Micah home and it seems to be just what Teddy’s mom needed.  After the death of her daughter she has become a recluse.  She immediately takes to Micah, seeing how hungry he is and how much he needs a mother’s love.  Micah and Teddy become allies.  Micah even finds out for Teddy who killed his sister.  In the end Teddy realizes he doesn’t need to kill the person who killed his sister anymore.  Teddy has grown tremendously.  He starts to appreciate his relationship with Micah and no longer takes his family for granted.  Great read!