YA chiller
Well I sure did a fine job of picking recovery library books. As soon as I put down This Is Why We Lie I picked up Nick Brooks' Promise Boys. I gotta tell you that look is lit.
"Hicks notes that former principal Kenneth Moore preached excellence to his students. His philosophy revolved around teaching kids to be their best selves despite the challenges life may throw at them. And it seems to have worked: Urban Promise Prep had the highest standardized test scores for the third year in a row.
Sadly, Moore was recently shot to death at Urban Promise Prep. Though there have been no official arrests in the murder, police are investigating three suspects."
Urban Promise Prep, a charter school, was founded to address the many challenges faced by underachieving schools in impoverished neighborhoods, primarily those of color. It's based on the premise that high expectations and strict rules can keep boys in class and out of trouble. It's the dream of many families desperate for their boys to stay off the streets and out of trouble--maybe even get into college.
"'Hicks added, 'Students lack discipline, not capacity to learn. Underprivileged kids are less likely to come to school with an appreciation for what education can bring. When you're living in an area where you're surviving day-to-day, seeing education as something to work at is hard. That's why the Moore Method works. We are all about discipline."
That last sentence is a serious understatement. Maximum security prisons could crib from the UPP rule book. Students aren't allowed to talk to each other, even at lunch. Going between rooms they must walk on blue lines. Violations as minor as dress code ones are punished severely, which makes it easy to get rid of students who would not make the school look good in time for the old standardized tests.
Students aren't the only ones being disrespected and mistreated. Few teachers last beyond two years. One remaining long term teacher had just turned in her resignation letter.
"Recently, I approached Moore about my disapproval with the school culture and do you know he told me to pack up and leave if I didn't like it?...All the time, all the energy, effort, blood, sweat, and tears I put into that place, and he had the nerve to just...toss me aside?!"
Given how many people have serious problems with Principal Moore, his homicide should come as no surprise to the intelligent reader. Given that we still live in a racist society the same intelligent reader should not be surprised to learn that all three suspects are Black boys. Now they have to, singularly or together, discover the identity of the real killer before one or all three are serving long sentences in prison.
Brooks' unusual narrative structure works perfectly for his story. Talk about your ensemble cast! The books is compiled of texts, emails, news articles, and the reflections of the boys and diverse members of their home and school communities. It's a very lively read you won't want to put down until the end.
Hopefully the important issues it raises will stick in your head much longer.
On a purrrsonal note, I'm almost back to my pre kidney stone self. Not that I'm going to clue Eugene in on that. He can do the cooking this weekend. Tonight he's planning personal pizzas.
I didn't want to forget to tell you about a Commuter Lounge event held the day before my operation. We had potting soil, pots, and succulents. Students could pot and take home cute little plants. This was Quil's idea. He got to set up and clean up. My part was running around with a cute potted succulent convincing people they couldn't live without one. Ben and Quil were concerned that we'd have too many left over. Not on my watch! They were almost all gone when I left for home with a stop at the library. I gave the ones I carried around away. Tobago would think, salad bar! (Jules)
She's kidding, right. Not even enough for an appetizer! (Tobago)
A great big shout out goes out to all participants.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
No comments:
Post a Comment