Customer Reviews

Eastside (Strebor on the Streetz)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Eastside is without a doubt, the GREATEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ!!!!
The book is real. It's like I was watching a movie. It's almost like I was sitting on a porch in the hood and watching these things happen. Every young person needs to read this book. The book contained many powerful messages. It should be used as a teaching tool in our schools. The book is also a healing tool for families who have lost loved ones to inner city violence. I can't count the number of times I broke down into tears while reading this book. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Eastside is truly a CLASSIC!!!!!!

This book offered a real eye opening look into the world that we current live in through the eyes of a young black male (Travon). Travon went through a lot in his life but I am very glad that he won in the end. I read this book while on vacation in Texas and could not put it down..I just had to know what was going to happen next. This book puts you right there. I felt as though I was there in Wheatly Courts. Great book. I look forward to reading more by Mr. Alexander.

Travon "Tre" Robinson lives in the Wheatley Courts projects in Texas. He's the younger brother of reputed gang banger, drug dealing, assassin, "Too Low." After his brother is gunned down, Tre is caught at a major fork in the road. Should he join the WCG's (Wheatley Courts Gangstas), representing for the hood?

Elmira has already had to bury one of her sons. While she allowed Too-Low to find his own path, she has refused to lose Tre to the same foolish violence. Unbeknownst to Elmira, Tre is being tested daily. While Too Low was able to keep Tre away from the streets and his affiliations, the vultures are now circling. Confused and deeply pained, Tre doesn't know what to do. His older brother died for it, he and his best friend fell out due to it, and all of his cousins are down with it, can Tre continue to avoid it? Or will he chose sides?

In EASTSIDE readers get to ride shot gun through the ferocious streets of Texas as Tre's innocence is stripped from him replacing it with a vicious drug dealing, gang banger that is involved in daily shoot outs and car chases, while having to watch his back from rival gang bangers, racist crooked cops as well as some of the people affiliated in his own gang.

EASTSIDE is one of the greatest books, although distressing, I've ever read! While you can't help but to sympathize for the mothers who have to bury their young sons, the anger rises as you see the young boys throw their lives away on colors. Are you serious, a color? Can you imagine being that mother learning that your son lost his life because he would rather hold down a color? Is that all that we're teaching our children? Is this the best they can hope for? It's a sad truth, but this is an overwhelming cycle that is plaguing African American males. Drugs, death, gangs, jails and absentee fathers add to the obliteration of the African American male.

As a mother I cried out incessantly, and not just for my children, but for everyone else's as well. EASTSIDE is a coming of age story that attacked me with a vice like grip tugging at my heart, soul and spirit. Is there hope for the future?

Reviewed by: Crystal

EASTSIDE opens and closes with violence. Violence plays an integral role in this story of self-discovery and redemption. It's a deeply felt story of a boy, Travon, who grew up in Wheatley Courts, a neighborhood plagued by violent, ruthless and brutal gangs. Choose a gang or a gang will choose you!

Caleb Alexander has crafted an incredibly well-written novel. This book is emotionally difficult to read, but well worth the trouble. The action is intense and the story even stronger. Alexander brings readers fully into the Eastside.

EASTSIDE is an adrenaline and emotionally fueled masterpiece. It positions good and evil as two sides of the same coin. I highly recommend EASTSIDE. It should be mandatory reading for our youth.

As the author so poignantly states, "I chose to tell a story so that we could hopefully examine ourselves, our conditions, and if not find solutions, then at least begin to ask the questions that would eventually lead to the solutions. Again, I wrote this novel to scream...If this book changes one child, just one, then it has done its job."

I hope it did, Caleb. I really hope it did.

Having worked in corrections for 18 years, the subject of this book caught my attention and the reviews prompted me to buy this it. Eastside is a book rich in its characters and storyline, and in its upfront portrayal of gangs and their neighborhoods. This book was very hard to put down. I have passed this book on to a few others, and they all have came back to me with "WOW!" responses.

Eastside is a true coming of age story for the streets. Throughout the novel, the main character, Travon Robinson attempts to remain true to his older brother's, dying wish of him staying on the straight and narrow, all the while struggling with the negative events that bring him closer to the gang life he wanted to avoid. Caleb Alexander's story is well written, though very disturbing to read.The story paints a vivid picture of Travon's obstacles and challenges the reader to wonder what choices they would make if given the same limited amount of options as Travon. Caleb brings you face to face with the uneasy reality of gang life, thus throwing his readers on a roller coaster of emotion that will keep them turning the pages to an ending that will leave you breathless.

1. What did you like best about this book?
It really appealed on an emotional level, you can really empathize with Travon's struggle and there was very little if anything that was predictable.

2. What did you dislike about this book?
The disturbing information.

3. How can the author improve this book?
Nothing, I thought it was well written.

Can you stand the ride, the chase, the truth... then come on and take this ride with Caleb Alexander as he takes you on that journey that is full of true grit, a story line that will tug at your heart strings....and definitely leave you with food for thought .... mothers will rethink how this world meshes with our sons....what does color have to do with this book...come on and take this literary journey with Caleb and find out. You won't be disappointed with this talented and upcoming....soon to be a best selling author of Eastside, worldwide... This is a book worth adding to that top shelf of your library that is reserved for those books that you simply adore....Kudos to you, Mr. Alexander.... Strebor is on the Streetz for real now....And the pleasure was all mine....

Have you ever - read a book and when you finish it you just want to exhale like you've run a race? A book so good it just sucks the wind out of you leaving you exhausted but satisfied? A story so riveting that you just don't want to put it down? A story that just speaks to your soul? I did, it's called Eastside by Caleb Alexander.

I'm sitting her trying to find the words to adequately explain all the emotions that I went through reading this book and I just can't do it. I'm speechless. I love it when a writer takes me on a journey but this book was an adventure. I cried for the characters and the choices they made. It made me afraid for every young man struggling to stay on the right path. KUDUS Caleb and I can't wait for your next novel. You truly have a way with words.

If I could have rated it higher I would have.

I have to say, that this story held my attention to the very end. Travon was one of those characters that you just love from the moment as you are learning his story.

Caleb you did a wonderful job with this book. You have loads of talent and I wish you well. and I am so proud of you, and thank you for allowing me to read your masterpiece.

This book surprised me. Everything I read is still very prevalent in our world today. Caleb managed to create characters who demanded that you feel them. There were times when I wanted to jump in the book and do something myself! As entertaining as the characters and the story line was, the message was very clear. This book is a must read!