Priscilla C. (MSCOZY) - , reviewed on 4/26/2013

Helpful Score: 2

The story focuses on Cedric, a poor, bright and up and coming student in a inner city school in DC. Here the smart students are teased, bullied and even threatened. That makes it difficult to excel if others are going to hurt you, confront you and claim you think you are special or better. It is compared to a big bucket full of crabs, some trying to reach the top to get out and flee. But the crabs on the bottom want to keep these high reachers down, pulling him down. No one seems to get ahead. Your own school mates try to keep you down with them or even lower. Fights break out, hostility is felt when students who have achieved good grades are singled out and receive awards, praise and money.

I came from NYC but attended a better school although I had to face constant discrimination due to my culture, economic status and race. You have to stay strong, study, support each other. Find what help you can get and use it. Help each other and be strong.

I was so very happy when they went on to colleges. A new type of environment and now classes are quite different from HS before. Some have to take remedial courses to catch up with the other students coming from a different school. Study, study, study and take a little time to raise your eyes and head up and look at the world.

I enjoyed reading this and became a tad angry when others would victimize those boys or girls who could do the work and succeed. Shame on you bullies. Just don't give up Hope, Hope in the Lord!

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details