Friday, March 5th, 2010...9:08 am
The Guardian
The Guardian by Julius Lester is a very quick read but very griping. I would recommend this book to students who either love historical fiction or have a hard time completing a novel in the required time frame. Although this is fiction, the story itself embodies authentic historic details making this story of loss and hope even more powerful. It is fairly short but is extremely insightful and thought provoking.
The story is about a young boy whose life is both completely altered and paved out in one defining moment. It is a coming of age story filled with compelling social issues like racism, justice and community. I liken it to To Kill a Mockingbird in the sense that it is a wonderful book for students to consider the difference between morals and ethics; for them to consider their own moral beliefs and what they are willing to stand up for in life.
