Customer Reviews

Chameleon

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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I couldn't have picked up a better book to read as my summer winds down to lasting only a matter of hours. Shawn is in his summer before high school and Smith uses Shawn's keen awareness to the world around him take us on that voyage into manhood. Vivid colors are everywhere infecting Shawn's imaginings with splashes from the clear blue sky, fresh ripened fruits, Marisol's pants, water at the beach and the red and blue clothes he must never wear to remain safe while playing.

The cover is kind of a metaphor for the story, with the title hiding as a Chameleon in the red and blue of the story. It has a nice affect, but I think it led to the book missing its market. Not many books are written by PoC males for PoC YA males, so publishers probably haven't decided how to design an identifiable cover for this market. They didn't get it with the hardcover, but I think the paperback comes closer.

Shawn's days are pretty much filled with playing basketball with his friends. His aunt is supposed to watch him while his mom works but she's fighting her own demons. Shawn tries to understand her battles, and in doing so he's trying to grow up. After a particular incident occurs, Shawn has to decide where he's going to high school. His parents realize he's not a child anymore and I think they realize he's more aware of what he has to navigate than they are.

The language and musical references of the book place the story somewhere in the 70s but, the story is really timeless. A young boy growing up looks to older brothers, uncles and fathers for guidance. In Chameleon, Shawn has male characters who are often there to give a word of advice in ways that guys would give it: it's crude from the big brother and tough as nails from Pops. The book has the feel of being a slice of life, a comfortable book you can just sit back and enjoy.

"The Crips and Pirus are black just like me, but they might as well be white and I might as well be living in the segregated South, because as far as I'm concerned if you can't wear what you want or go where you want, when you want, then you ain't free."

Charles R. Smith's CHAMELEON is a coming-of-age story that takes us into the heart of Los Angeles and the challenges that the main character, Shawn, is facing.

Throughout this book we see how basketball, gangs, girls, and friends make an impact on Shawn's summer and future. The descriptive account of Shawn facing his fears and developing into a teenager from a boy makes the story a good read for urban youth.

While Shawn improves his D on the court and falls in love with the "fine" Marisol, he is faced with the tough decision of whether to go to a school that is safe and free of gangs, or with his friends where he will fear the Crips and Pirus and have to see his alcoholic auntie every day.

The story is told with abrupt honesty and humor. Shawn's relationship with his father was my favorite section of the book. They set a great example for young men because Shawn trusts his dad and talks to him about serious life-changing events in his life.

Many males will be able to relate to Shawn's life and fears about his future, and that is why this book is one I would recommend to young men.

Reviewed by: LaLeesha Haynes

Very interesting and touching to me. I also grew up in Compton and attended Roosevelt JHS as did Mr. Smith. In fact my mom's whole family attended Roosevelt and their last name just happened to be Smith. We are a upper middle class anglo family but shared many of the experiences and feelings described by Mr. Smith in this book!
Mr Smith is a gifted writer!
Del Zeiger,
Woodland, CA
[...]

I really liked this book. It follows fourteen-year old Shawn and his friends through the hot L.A. summer before they start high school.

Shawn's parents are divorced. He lives with his mother, but he usually spends some time with his father every couple of weekends. When Shawn's mother goes to work, she drops him off at his aunt's house in Compton. Shawn's aunt is an alcoholic, so he does not enjoy spending much time with her.

Shawn spends most of his time hanging out with his buddies, playing basketball or shootin' the breeze. The Compton neighborhood is right on the border between two gangland territories. Their daily routine involves doing a `color check' before they head out for the day to make sure their clothing won't get them into any trouble with gang bangers.

The neighborhood is full of colorful characters. The boys are streetwise, and do their best to steer clear of potential problems. We see how different encounters with people in the neighborhood influence the boys and help to shape them as they are growing into young adults.

Shawn's parents decide that he is old enough to start making decisions about his own future. They leave it up to him to decide whether he wants to start high school in Compton, where his friends and the beautiful girl he really likes will be going, or if he wants to go to school in Carson; a better school in a safer neighborhood. Shawn wisely decides to take the summer to think about it, and the reader is wondering along with him what direction his life will take.

As a mother, I feel my eleven-year old daughter is still a bit too young to read this book - but I would love for her to read it in a year or two. Chameleon speaks volumes about the choices people have to make in life. Without forcing it down the reader's throat, the author plays up the path of integrity as the only way to stay true to yourself. Shawn learns that true friendship not only involves accepting others for who they are, but also about trusting that your friends will always stick by you no matter what.

I think Chameleon is a great book for young teenage boys, but girls should also grab this opportunity to learn about what goes through boys' minds, as they are entering puberty! As a parent, I was reminded of what a tremendous influence we have on our kids. As our kids turn thirteen-fourteen years old, and we spend less and less time with them, it is important that we continue to communicate with them in a responsible way while we respect them as individuals and young adults.
Great book; I can highly recommend it!