THE BATTLE OF JERICHO
Sharon M. Draper
Atheneum
Fiction
ISBN: 0689842325
304 pages

• Read an Excerpt

Extracurricular clubs are usually good things, right? They boost self-esteem, promote lifelong friendships, and look good on a college application. But what happens when club initiation rites go beyond fun and games and become deadly serious? That's the question Sharon Draper explores in her new novel, THE BATTLE OF JERICHO.

Jericho seems to have it all together --- he has a tight group of friends, he does OK at school, and he loves playing the trumpet. In fact, his music teacher is talking about Juilliard if he does well at his upcoming music contest. But Jericho is insecure, too --- he's carrying around a few extra pounds, and he sure would like to have a girlfriend. So when he, his cousin Josh, and his best friend are invited to pledge the Warriors of Distinction, Jericho should be thrilled, especially when a fine girl like Arielle starts showing interest in him because of his soon-to-be Warrior status. All the adults seem to think the Warriors, with their community service projects and commanding presence at school, are just great. Jericho's uncle, a former Warrior himself, is so proud of Jericho and Josh. So why does Jericho get an uneasy feeling about the club?

Readers will start feeling uncomfortable, too, when they read about the club's intense hazing rituals. Bound by a code of secrecy, the pledges are forced into disgusting, demeaning, and dangerous situations. Especially vulnerable is Dana, the first girl ever to attempt Warrior membership, who is practically terrorized by some of the Warrior members. Readers will keep turning the pages to find out to what lengths Jericho and his friends will go in order to become Warriors.

When events turn tragic at the novel's end, readers won't be surprised, although they may feel let down by the lengthy discussions of "what it all means." A more powerful closing might have just ended with the tragic event, letting readers ponder its significance for themselves.

   --- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

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