What They Found is written by Walter Dean Myers. This fictional book is a collection of short stories about life in a community in Harlem, NY.
Author: Walter Dean Myers
In this powerful book, author Walter Dean Myers explores the power of love through a collection of short stories set in an African American neighborhood in Harlem, NY.
145th Street
What They Found, is Myers' follow up to his 2000 book, 145th Street. That book focuses on that Harlem community as they tries to deal with the issues that come along with tough inner-city environments like drugs, gangs and violence. In When They Found, Myer returns to that same street in Harlem, but this time focuses on short stories about love - whether that is romantic, platonic or family love.Surviving the Streets
What They Found explores the problems that young people face in urban communities. One girl, Letha, is 16 years old and pregnant. She is struggling with self image, money, and her future. In another story, a concerned sister has to turn her drug addicted brother in to police. The final, and most powerful story, deals with a young man named Curtis - a young soldier in Afghanistan from that Harlem neighborhood. Despite being tired emotionally and physically from fighting in the war, he discovers a bond between himself and his fellow soldiers, and the things they will do for each other.
Everyone's Got a Story
The beauty of this book, is there are 15 different stories, yet they are all about people who live on that same Harlem block. While Myers' characters are all black and have financial issues, it shows that everyone has a story behind them and everyone has the same basic need for love. Everybody has relationship issues and people find different ways to express that love they have for that special person - whether that is a girlfriend, friend, brother or daughter.
The Bottom Line
This is a very emotional book, there are a lot of heartbreaking tales as well as uplifting stories. The language in this book is strong, but it helps really paint a very realistic picture of life in a poor, black neighborhood. Myers is an excellent storyteller and helps readers relate to the characters and stories in this book. A good read that is definitely worth your time! br>
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