What a loss for the world of YA! Walter Dean Myers's books offered the best in YA lit for the guys, especially the reluctant reader. DARIUS & TWIG is one of his titles I hadn't read so when I saw it at the bookstore, I grabbed it for my classroom.Set in Myers's infamous 145th Street neighborhood, the story tells of two friends hoping to escape the life of the inner city through college scholarships. Darius is a writer being encouraged to edit a story he submitted for possible publication. If he can tweak it as advised, it will be in print and potentially be his ticket to a better life.
Twig is a runner. If he competes and performs at his peak, college scouts will be knocking at his door.
Both teens have the opportunity to live out their dreams, but family members and the hostile environment that surrounds them threaten to derail their plans. Street violence, including robberies and shootings, create distractions that have Darius and Twig defending family and friends. Within their families where support for their dreams would be expected, there is reluctance they find difficult to explain.
In DARIUS & TWIG Myers is at his best. Through the writing of Darius it is easy to imagine a young Myers fighting his own fight to improve his life and make a difference in the lives of so many others in the process. If you somehow haven't discovered the amazing books by this awarding winning author, please jot down his name and head to your local library or bookstore today.
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