The Battle of Jericho (novel)
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| Author | Sharon M. Draper |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Jericho Trilogy |
| Genre | Realistic fiction |
| Publisher | Simon Pulse |
Publication date | 2004 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 352 |
| ISBN | 978-0-689-84233-7 |
| Followed by | November Blues |
The Battle of Jericho by Sharon M. Draper is a young adult novel. It's the first book in the Jericho Trilogy. The book is set in high school and deals with the issues of peer pressure, acceptance, discrimination, sexual tension, and social interaction.[1][2][3]
Plot summary
The story takes place at Douglas High School. Jericho and his cousin Josh, along with their friends Dana and Kofi, decide to pledge for one of the most popular and prestigious organizations at school, the Warriors of Distinction. While the "Warriors" seem to be an upstanding organization that does a lot for the community, their governing is far more corrupt and plagued. Eddie Mahoney, the pledge master, sends the group through unnecessarily cruel tricks and task to humiliate and degrade them as they pledge for membership. From eating worms to being paddled, Dana receives the most harassment which crosses the line of sexual harassment. While they have the opportunity to quit, Josh and Jericho choose popularity and peer acceptance and it ends in a hazing accident gone wrong which cost Josh's life.
Characters
- Jericho Prescott: Main character
- Josh Prescott: Jericho's brother
- Kofi Freeman: Jericho's friend and Dana's boyfriend
- Arielle Gresham: Jericho's girlfriend and future wife
- Dana Wolfe: Kofi's friend and Arielle and November's girlfriend
- November Nelson: Josh's girlfriend and Arielle and Dana's friend
- Eddie Mahoney: Pledge master and main protagonist
- Eric Bell: Jericho's classmate
- Mr. Zucker: Jericho"s dad / cop
- Mr. Tambori: Jericho's music teacher
- Brock Prescott: Josh's father
- Cedric Prescott: Jericho's father
- Geneva: Jericho's mother
- Mr. Boston: Jericho's teacher
- Michael Madison
- Rick Sharp
- Marlene Prescott: Josh’s step mother
- Mr. Culligan: leader for the Warriors of Distinction
Awards
This book has been critically acclaimed for tackling the issues of hazing, peer-pressure, sexual tension, and other social teen issues.[4][5]
- 2004 Coretta Scott King Honor Book[6]
- New York Public Library's Book for the Teen Age[6]
- 2005 Young Adult Choice Books—International Reading Association[6]
References
- ^ Knippenberg, Jim (2003-10-28). "Teens Caught in 'Battle of Jericho' Hazing Tale Shows Former Teacher Knows How Students Think". Cincinnati Enquirer.
- ^ Baer, Allison; Jacquline, Glasgow (July 2008). "Take The Bullies To Task: Using Process Drama To Make A Stand". English Journal. 97 (6): 79–86.
- ^ Hinto, Kaavonia (October 2008). "Author Profile: Sharon M. Draper". Library Media Connection: 42–43.
- ^ "The Battle of Jericho". Publishers Weekly.
- ^ "Sharon M. Draper". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
- ^ a b c Draper, Sharon. "Reviews and Rewards". Official Site of Sharon Draper. Retrieved 3 April 2013.