Tears of a Tiger (Hazelwood High #1)

That's what I remember--and that's what I'll never be able to forget.As a freshman in high school I was really depressed. I found this book in my English teacher’s room and asked to borrow it, thinking it sounded interesting. What I got was more than that. I got an experience I took with me forever. Sharon M Draper’s Hazelwood High trilogy has stuck with me since the day I started it and today I decided to revisit the first book, Tears of a Tiger.I loved everything about this book, just as I did when I read it at the age of fourteen. I understood and connected with Andy more than I could with most characters I’ve read about in the past. I loved the formatting of it. From conversations to newspaper clippings, it was always changing forcing me to keep paying attention. The chapters are short, and every word, every detail aims to serve a purpose. A few amazed me during the reread. First, it’s amazing how much she made me care for the characters without much insight into their minds. We only get to see what they would want people to see for the most part. Second, how much I cried even knowing what was going to happen. Finally, how well she set things up for the second book.I recommend this book to everyone. It’s powerful, emotional, and deals with a subject matter people tend to avoid in my experience. Thank you Sharon M Draper for writing a book that has meant so much to me over the years.

Reader reviewed by riggy and cant catch a pass mason

Tears of a Tiger, by Sharen Draper, was awsome! It was about four kids who were drinking and driving and they wreck and the passenger gets killed and the kids struggle to live with this. They have a hard time. One of the one of the boys blames the wreck on himself. He never forgives himself and kills himself  because of depression. That is why we like this book.

GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!

Reader reviewed by Cintia

This very emotional novel is a total tear jerker. It begin with the loss of  Rob Washington. Rob died because of a drunk driver. This drunk driver happened to be his best friend Andy. Throughout the story Andy blames himself for Robs death but he puts up a front so no one will notice how bad he feels. His girlfriend was the only thing helping him out of his severe depression but when she broke up with him he just couldnt handle it. Andy commited suicide. Monty's last words toward his dead older brother had me crying and feeling his loss.

Reader reviewed by mickeyD123


"Tears of a Tiger" is a compelling book about how a young man deals with the death of his best friend.  In this book, andy takes the death of robby washington the hardest.  Everyone seems to think he is doing better, but his girlfriend (keisha) knows the real story.  Nobody ever would have guessed that he would take his own life away.

Reader reviewed by Peacechik

I read this book in a day. I got it at my school library at like 11am and was finished at 4! It was so heartbreaking but so thrilling at the same time!

A boy named Andy cant get over how he "killed" his best friend because he was drunk driving. He does'nt understand how he survived and in the end...

I think that its a real painful book about a broter who after 4 months just loses. It was one of the saddest, best books I've ever read.
PEAce

Reader reviewed by mearley

A high school basketball star drives drunk, gets in an accident, and kills his best friend. The aftermath of this accident tears apart his relationships and has tragic consequences.

Sharon Draper handles very serious subject matter in a way that is not watered down or condescending to teenagers. The short chapters and non-traditional format will appeal to students who don't normally like to read. Even with it's dated slang and references, it's still a far better choice than the Bluford series, and it will probably appeal to the same readers.

Reader reviewed by shelby

i think that this book is very giid with in the first chapter of the book it tell what is going on. i dont know what i would do if i killed my bestfriend. i understand why andy did what he did but did he think about how the other peopl feel before he killed himself? he was under alot of stress so it is really hard to say if he even thought about the effect it would have on the people who love him the most but through it all it is a very good book.

Reader reviewed by kesha

I think that the book Tears of a Tiger is an excellent book. the book really motivates me and my friends not to drink and drive because it can harm yourself and someone else. the book is great and i look forward to reading more books by sharon draper in the future..

Reader reviewed by Anessa

This book is such a powerful and amazing book. After you read it it will make you want to read it over and over again, i dont want to spoil the end but i will say the ending is one youll never forget, i know i wont! MY advice is you definitely read this amazing literacal masterpiece!

Reader reviewed by Alyssa

Wow!! That was a crazy book! Honestly it made me cry because i knew someone who commited suicide, and it totally reminded me of him. It also reminded me again as i remind myself everytime i go out not to drink and drive, because that is a dumb and careless mistake!