- "Tears of a Tiger"(1994) by Sharon M Draper= An African- American tennager feels driven to consider suicide in the wake of a devastating tragedy/ After a car accident kills Robert Washington, Andy Jackson's best friend and teammate on the Hazelwood High Tigers, Andy dosen't know if he can go on. He's consumed with guilt for driving the night of the accident after a long evening of drinking and partying.
- "Forged By Fire"(1997) by Sharon M Draper= A realistic novel about povery and child abuse, and inspiring story of a young man who rises above the tragic circumstances of his life by drawing of the love and strength of family and friends/ Gerald Nickelby is only three when his mama leaves him alone in the house while she visits her drug dealer. He finds the hot thing she uses to light her cigarettes and in no time, the house is ablaze. Mama is sent to prison, and Gerald goes to live with his Aunt Queen. When he turns nine, Gerald unhappily learns that his mama is being released from jail and wants her son back. Suddenly, he must switch from a loving home to a household dominated by his abusive stepfather. When Gerald learns a terrible secret about his stepfather and the half-sister he has grown to love, he'll have to find the courage to do what's right.
- "Darkness Before Dawn"(2001) by Sharon M Draper= Keisha Montgomery's junior year was devastating. Her best friend died, and her ex-boyfriend committed suicide. But Keisha is getting her life back on track. She's been elected senior class president, and she has met Jonathan Hathaway, the new 23 year old track coach. Tall and handsome, Jonathan actually talks to Keisha likes she's a woman instead of a girl. But when this forbidden relationship takes a frightening turn, Keisha once again finds herself plunged into the darkness she has worked so hard to escape.
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