Drive-By (Harper Trophy Books) [Paperback]

Lynne Ewing (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Harper Trophy Books

"Jimmy always told me there were only two kinds of gangbangers: Those who were dead and those who were going to die. Joining a gang doesn't make sense to Jimmy..."

Jimmy is dead now—gunned down in front of his little sister, Mina, and his brother, Tito. And Tito is left wondering: Was Jimmy in a gang after all? Ice Breaker Joe and Lamar think so. They say Jimmy was skimming their drug money. And if the missing cash isn't returned, Tito may have to pay—with his life.

Some people go to the crossroads, but Tito's crossroads laid themselves down in front of him. His brother Jimmy sprawls on the sidewalk at his feet. Shot in a drive by. Now a gang claims that Jimmy was their Ace Man. They say Tito must take his place and resolve some unfinished business. They give him a gun. "You need protection. It's not safe on the street." What path will be choose at the crossroads? He knows one leads to safety and one to death . . . but which is which?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When his older brother is killed in a drive-by shooting, a boy realizes his role model was a gang member. "Ewing's fast-paced first novel offers distinctly drawn, affecting characters and lots of action," said PW. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8?Jimmy was always joking around. That's what Tito thought he was doing that night in front of the library. But when the gang car sped away and Jimmy lays motionless on the ground, Tito realizes that his brother is dead. He later learns that Jimmy had been skimming money from his "deliveries" and hiding it from his gang and now that he is gone, the gang members begin a destructive search of Tito's house for the stolen cash. After being bullied, badgered, and threatened with death, Tito knows what he has to do. This novel explores the aftermath of a gang-related shooting in a first-person narrative style. While realistic actions and language propel readers through it, character development is minimal; thus, there is no sense of emotional involvement toward Tito and his family. The story encourages readers to do the right thing, but the overall effect is one of helplessness and lack of control. S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders (Viking, 1967) and Walter Dean Myers's Scorpions (HarperCollins, 1988) are far better explorations of gang life.?Jana R. Fine, Clearwater Public Library System, FL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (December 20, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064406490
• ISBN-13: 978-0064406499
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Peer Pressure
  • #74 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Social Issues > Violence
  • #80 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Violence

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has a good message for kids., January 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Drive-By (Harper Trophy Books) (Paperback)

I am a real 'gang kid' from San Pedro California. I got my first gun when I was 8. I have been drive-byed 5 times and my best friend got killed when he was 13. My English teacher gave me this book to do a review on. I gave this book 5 stars because I think it has a good message for some kids who might think about joining a gang. But I got to say that I was dissappointed with this book becuase it is not very on tha real. You can tell it was written by a person who never lived this kind of life or had kids who did even though she might have known some kids who lived like this. But that does not make it a bad book. I think that if you liked this book and want to know more about gangs on tha real you should checkout some books by Jess Mowry like 'Way Past Cool' and 'Babylon Boyz'. There is some stuff about gangs in 'Ghost Train' too. Like I said I think this book was a good try by tha author and it has a good message but its not very on tha real if you live where I do.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, Short Childrens Story About Gangs, April 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Drive-By (Harper Trophy Books) (Paperback)

"Drive-By", Lynne Ewings's first novel for children, is a brief story about gangs, told in the first-person by 12-year-old Timothy Thomas Cahill, aka Tito. While returning home from a birthday party, Tito and his 5-year-old sister Mina witness their older brother Jimmy getting shot by a passing vehicle driven by a group of local Los Angeles gangbangers. Following his brother's death, Tito and his family are forced to leave their home when the same gangbangers return to vandalize and tag their house. One of Tito's friends insists he should seek revenge for his brother's death and gives Tito a gun. But will Tito use it and give in to peer pressure just like his older brother did--or will he try to rise above the bloodshed and set things straight?

"Drive-By" is a simply-written, short book (only 85 pages) and ideal for young readers (age 10+) who don't like to read very much. Although it's quite sad--despite the somewhat pleasant ending--, there's certainly a lesson to be learned about dealing with gangs and peer pressure. If you liked this book, then you might like "Party Girl" by the same author; it also deals with drive-by shootings and gangs, but it's intended for slightly older readers (12+).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drive-By a review by Scott, December 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Drive-By (Harper Trophy Books) (Paperback)

Has anyone in your family been a victim of a drive-by? In the book Drive-By, by Lynne Ewing, the threesome, which included Kelly, Gus, and Jimmy went on a walk one day. Well, when they're walking something happens. Something that's going to rock their world! Jimmy is walking in the street, which a car pulls up next to Jimmy. He starts talking to the men in the car. Kelly's brother named Gus tells them to get behind the tree. Then Kelly and Gus see flashes and hear loud gunshots like thunder. They thought it was their imagination or something else. They look from behind the tree and see blood fly and Jimmy fall to the ground. The car screeches off.
Kelly hopes she is dreaming. She just witnessed some very sick-minded animals at work. She can only hope that Jimmy was playing a joke and in the car were some of Jimmy's friends. She hopes this was a set-up and a planned joke, but her heart sank and couldn't bear the pain. She couldn't change the truth or take anything back. Maybe, just maybe there's a way for a miracle to happen. Maybe Jimmy was still alive and able to be saved by medical personnel. Ladies and gentlemen, I encourage you to read the book Drive-By and read if miracles can happen with Jimmy's life.