Worth Fighting 4 [Paperback]

Jaeyel Imes Jarold Imes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2007

At the age of eleven and a half, Martin Little wanted to be just like his parents. His father was a door-to-door salesman for a prominent African American hair care firm; his mother owns one of the hottest beauty salons in the Denver Metropolitan Area. With their blessing, they encourage Martin and his friends to sell candy to compete with the school store. Martin and his friends establish a highly successful candy distribution network that attracts the attention of Garfield and Freddie, leaders of a local gang set at their school. Garfield and Freddie see the potential to exploit Martin's business for a legitimate cover for their illegal gang activities. To make matters worse, Martin and his friends also have to contend with a growing Hispanic population that seems to be taking over the once all black neighborhood. The increasing tensions between the African Americans and the Hispanics in the community seem to be spilling over to their school, causing drama between the two sets of friends. With the threat of being forced to join one of the notorious gangs in the Denver Metropolitan Area on the horizon and the possibility of a race war of epic proportions, will Martin and his friends prove that their dreams of entrepreneurship and independence will be worth fighting for?

Editorial Reviews

Review

[Jarold] Imes does a masterful job of weaving a believable tale of the daily struggles of young Black men, as well as, gives the reader a glimpse of the struggles of young men from other races. The end result is finding out that the two struggles are not that different --Tanya Bates - C & B Books Distribution

[Worth Fighting 4 is] an excellent class discussion for fourteen years and older. --Locksie - ARC Book Club

The parents of those children might benefit from developing conversations with their child that focus on many of the issues raised in the book. --Detrel - APOOO Book Club

From the Author

Author's Note:

Although I write about gang members in this book, I DO NOT endorse one gang over the other. Nor do I promote violence of any kind... unless there is a revolution that is worth fight for.

I encourage all parents and teachers to read this book with your children.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Abednego's Free (April 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934195014
• ISBN-13: 978-1934195017
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,175,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jarold Imes is the author of nine (soon to be ten) books in the Hold On Be Strong Teen Series: Worth Fighting 4, 5 Miles to Empty, U Can't Break Me, Never Too Much - The Remix, Still Standing, Age Ain't Nothing But a Number, Rollin' Wit the Punches, Hold On Be Strong & Lessons Learned. He also contributed to Love & Life with Marlon McCaulsky.

He has also contributed to two faith fiction anthologies, The Triumph of My Soul and Soul of a Man. Under the name Isaiah David Paul, he will make his debut with Love Him Like I Do and will continue to write faith fiction for all audiences.

Jarold is currently furthering his studies in entrepreneurship and working on new young adult and adult titles. Nothing Is 4 Nothing, the last book in the Hold On Be Strong Teen Series will be release January 2012.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Borderline!, August 25, 2006

By 

SoulMusiqLuva "soulmusiqluva" (new york) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Worth Fighting 4 (Paperback)

"Worth Fighting 4" by Jayel Imes is told through the eyes of Martin Little, a pubescent yet enterprising sixth grade student in Aurora, Colorado. Martin seems to idolize his father, a walking salesman and wishes, himself to become a self-employed businessman. With careful thought, Martin makes a decision to operate a candy distribution racket amongst his circle of friends at school, thereby opening the door to a world of trouble from local gang members. The gang members watch how profitable and popular Martin and his friends become and make it their business to try to violently bully their way into the action.


This story is filled with numerous incidents involving gang violence, racial infractions, peer pressure and intimidation. There are times when the reader is left to wonder when the parental involvement of Martin and his friends, as well as the administrators at his school will intervene as the warfare intensifies. Finally, after a tragic encounter with the gang, Martin and his friends join together to show a sign of force. The results are varied, as jail and death become closely entrenched in the lives of these teens.


Although it is clear that the author, through his creation of such a story is attempting to curtail some of the tragic mistakes our youth make in this day and age, much of the message is lost in the poor editing. There are times when the grammatical and typographical errors cause the reader to lose track in the initial premise of a passage.


This book is best suited for children leaving the elementary school setting, as well as their parents. The parents of those children might benefit from developing conversations with their child that focus on many of the issues raised in the book.
APOOO rating: 3

Reviewed by Detrel
APOOO BookClub
www.apooo.org

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Fighting 4 is Definitely Worth Reading, April 15, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Worth Fighting 4 (Paperback)

5 friends, led by Martin Little, start a profitable candy selling buisiness. As buisiness prospers racial tension starts between the blacks and hispanics at the school. Malcolm later finds about his hispanic heratige and now he must look at things in a new light. There is a much bigger problem at hand. Gang violence! Can 5 friends along with the help of some seventh graders and their once enemies join together and fight against one of the most infamous gangs in Denver? Will it prove to be worth fighting for?

This was definitaly worth reading and it showed how young people can stand up to a much bigger force. Anything is possible if stand together and believe what you are doing is right. This book is great. Dont think the book is boring and just all about morals. There is some suprising and mishevious parts that you can relate to. This book is capable of making you both laugh and cry. It is a great read and it is worth reading.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars C&B Reviewer Tanya Bates - Well Done!, May 28, 2006

By 

Carol @ C&B "Caroline Rogers" (Queens New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Worth Fighting 4 (Paperback)

C&B Reviewer - 4 Star review


Well done!
This book is age appropriate for those 13 and older. The author encourages parents and teachers to read this book along with the child. There are thought provoking discussion questions included
We are introduced to Martin Little who at the age of eleven is very enterprising and already quite the businessman. Martin is blessed to have parents who also in sales, so they encourage him and his friends to sell to their friends at school. The business takes off right away which garners the attention of both the gang set.
In this coming of age story, Martin and his friends must deal with the brewing undercurrent of a racial war as well as deal with 2 rival gangs that insist that Martin and his friends are at a point where they must make a decision where their loyalties lie.
Jaeyel Imes does a masterful job of weaving a believable tale of the daily struggles of young Black men, as well as, gives the reader a glimpse of the struggles of young men from other races. The end result is finding out that the two struggles are not that different.
Rating: 4 Stars

:Worth Fighting 4