Author: Rita
Williams-Garcia
Bibliographic Info:
Williams-Garcia, Rita. (2009). Jumped. New York: Amistad.
Descriptive Summary:
Violence is on the horizon at inner city school when Trina bumps into Dominique on the wrong day at the wrong time. Leticia is unsure whether to get involved and try to stop the violence, or mind her own business and remain a bystander. Rita Williams-Garcia examines the anatomy of violence from three very different and unique perspectives in Jumped.
Evaluative comments with rating:
5/5 TVs - There's nothing like this on TV!
Jumped is great! Finally something produced by adults that realized that bullying doesn't just happen in a vacuum and a bully is something more complex than just a simple aggressor. Williams-Garcia alternates voices and perspectives with Jumped's chapters and in doing so she creates well rounded, fully formed characters that give readers a better sense of how and why violence takes place and how it affects and afflicts our community all. The blame is shared in Jumped and like any good book, there are no easy answers. Jumped's somewhat disturbing ending is a good jumping off point for discussions about violence, bullying, and what we can do to avoid these incidents and behaviours. It's not easy, but at least Jumped is willing to be realistic about it and start discussion rather than just suggesting that we "unlike" bullying.
Jumped is great! Finally something produced by adults that realized that bullying doesn't just happen in a vacuum and a bully is something more complex than just a simple aggressor. Williams-Garcia alternates voices and perspectives with Jumped's chapters and in doing so she creates well rounded, fully formed characters that give readers a better sense of how and why violence takes place and how it affects and afflicts our community all. The blame is shared in Jumped and like any good book, there are no easy answers. Jumped's somewhat disturbing ending is a good jumping off point for discussions about violence, bullying, and what we can do to avoid these incidents and behaviours. It's not easy, but at least Jumped is willing to be realistic about it and start discussion rather than just suggesting that we "unlike" bullying.
Suggested Audience
(age range): 12-18 (some mild language and violence)
Readers’ advisory
notes:
Appeal factors: Slang-heavy, dialogue-rich, suspenseful, character-driven, issue-oriented, reflective
Readalikes: Give a Boy a Gun - Todd Strasser, Just Another Hero - Sharon Draper, The Orange Houses - Paul Griffin, Rucker Park Setup - Paul Volponi
Booktalking hook:
From Page 21:
"Like she don't see I'm here and all the space around me is mines so keep your pink ass on that side of the lane. No. She cuts a knife right through my space then turns. And I slam my fist into my other hand because shes's good as jumped and I say, "Her. I'm gonna kick that ass at two forty-five."
Reason for inclusion:
Familiarity with the author – I had come across the book
previously when shelving.
- 2009 National Book Award Finalist
- ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Category: Realistic/Award-winning
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