Two The Hard Way [Paperback]

Travis Hunter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2010

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. In his young adult debut, Travis Hunter provides a compelling, vividly realistic look into life in the housing projects as seen through the eyes of two brothers trying to get by.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Honor student and star quarterback Romeo has big college plans, but can he survive the dangerous streets of the Atlanta projects where he lives? His big brother, Kwame, 19, is released from prison after serving two years for something he did not do, and he is determined to help his community and keep Romeo out of trouble. Told in the alternating first-person narratives of the two close brothers, Hunter’s debut YA novel about family, friends, lovers, and official corruption moves quickly, with dialogue that is angry, hilarious, heartbreaking, and mean (no invective, though). The often violent action builds to a stormy climax with shoot-outs, car crashes, and dramatic turnarounds, but it is the tender, personal elements that are unforgettable: the brothers’ love for Nana, who raised them; Romeo’s relationship with his beautiful girlfriend, Ngiai, who is not ready for sex. With discussion questions at the end, the intense contemporary drama is sure to engage teens. Grades 10-12. --Hazel Rochman

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: K-Teen/Dafina; 1 edition (July 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758242506
• ISBN-13: 978-0758242501
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #945,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born Florence, South Carolina. I grew up playing football and basketball like most of the other kids around my way. I never thought I'd be an author. I always hated reading and God forbid writing. So being the smart woman that she is, my mother used reading as a form of punishment for me when I acted up. Little did I know she was planting a very important seed. One that would one day turn into a career. I decided to start writing because I couldn't find any good books with positive African American male leads. So I decided to take a leap of faith and wrote my first novel, The Hearts of Men. I self published THOM and after selling a little over six thousand copies in about two months, I was approached by Random House. They republished The Hearts of Men. After that, I was bitten by the writing bug and now I'm on a role. Married But Still Looking, Trouble Man, A One Woman Man, Something to Die For, A Family Sin, Dark Child and the latest, Momma's a Virgin. I have three young adult novels; Two The Hard Way, At the Cross Roads, On the Come Up and the forthcoming novel about bullies; The Last Laugh. My novels are all quick reads. I could kill lots of trees with pages and pages of fluff but I prefer to give you mostly the meat and potatoes of the story. Im very passionate about my non-profit THe Hearts of Men Foundation. (www.theheartsofmen.org) Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy the work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AAMBC Book Reviews, August 16, 2010

By 

African Americans on the Move Book Club "AAMB... (San Antonio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two The Hard Way (Paperback)

Two brothers Kwame and Romeo were what you'd expect to brothers to be, close. The fact that they were abandoned by their mother and had to be raised by their grandmother the bond between them were even stronger. Growing up in the inner city, where trouble seemed to be around every corner, Kwame was arrested and went to prison for something he didn't do and that not only tore Romeo apart, but he also got to see firsthand, just how the system worked. Faced with that disappointment of his older brother Kwame going to jail didn't stop Romeo from doing his best at what he loved to do and becoming the star quarterback for his high school football team.

After the Kwame's release from prison, things start to look up for the two brothers. They reconnected with their mom Pearl and it seemed things were going to be alright until tragedy strikes again and their mom is brutally attack by some local thugs. Truth begins to unfold and they discover some secrets about their family and they also find out who is truly with them and against them.

Overall all this was an easy read. It had some moments when I was anxious to get to the plot, but for the most part it was worth the wait. It had a lot of funny moments, because these were teens, so you laugh a lot. It did end with a feeling there will be more, but who knows. I did enjoy reading Two the Hard Way!

Anna Black

AAMBC Book Reviewer

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Family Affair, July 27, 2010

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two The Hard Way (Paperback)

After Kwame and Romeo's mother abandoned them, they went to live with their grandmother who is affectionately called Nana. Romeo, the youngest of the two, idolized his older brother and when he went to prison for a crime he didn't commit, Romeo's world went to pieces. It was easy to get caught up in the streets, but Romeo focused on being the star quarterback at his high school, hanging out with his militant midget, best friend Amir, and Kwame's pending release.

When Kwame is released from prison, Romeo is happy to have his big brother back home with him. Even their mother starts coming around more often. As they begin to enjoy their lives back together again, their mother is savagely beaten. Not only do they find out the reason for their mother's abandonment, they also find out who wants them all out of the picture.

The remarkable characterization in TWO THE HARD WAY sets the tone in this explosive teen story. From the special bond Kwame and Romeo share, and the love they feel for Nana, to the hilarious "power to the people" Amir, each of these characters will find a place in your heart. The secondary characters add just a touch more spice to a realistic plot of love and survival. Just when I thought the story couldn't get any better, Hunter takes it to another level. I sense a sequel!!

Reviewed by Sharon Lewis
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!!!, February 19, 2011

By 

Dee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two The Hard Way (Paperback)

I'm a die hard Travis Hunter fan. Although this book is geared for teenagers, it was very good. Must buy!