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February 06, 2019 Jessie rated it actually liked it

This book, well-nigh a 13 twelvemonth old addicted to heroin, told through his perspective, and the perspectives of his family, teachers, neighbours, etc. Despite being severely dated past the language of the lxx'south, this book tells an extremely plausible narrative well-nigh how kids get hooked on drugs, about how communities are infiltrated past addiction due to, you guessed it, marginalization, policies, and disenfranchisement, and near how love is non enough. Early on Black books for immature people about our struggle This book, about a xiii yr old addicted to heroin, told through his perspective, and the perspectives of his family, teachers, neighbours, etc. Despite being severely dated past the language of the 70'due south, this book tells an extremely plausible narrative well-nigh how kids become hooked on drugs, almost how communities are infiltrated by addiction due to, you guessed it, marginalization, policies, and disenfranchisement, and about how love is not enough. Early Black books for young people virtually our struggles. What an important thing to take, and I'1000 glad the tradition continues into modernistic day. I tin can't believe the blurb from the NY Times on the cover calling it "entertaining", but hither we are. If you're reading books for youth that are about real life and aren't only festivals of hormones, check this i out, it'southward a forerunner to the best of what nosotros are seeing currently. ...more than

After reading a fascinating article on actress/author/playwright Alice Childress in the October 10 consequence of The New Yorker, I decided to check out her young developed novel A Hero Ain't Nothin' just a Sandwich published in 1973. Although some of the language is dated, this is even so a powerful and moving volume about thirteen-year-quondam heroin addict Benjie trying to find his way in New York'south Harlem. Written in short, alternating chapters from differing perspectives (Benjie'south mother Rose, all-time friend Jimmie-Le After reading a fascinating article on actress/writer/playwright Alice Childress in the Oct 10 effect of The New Yorker, I decided to check out her immature developed novel A Hero Own't Nothin' but a Sandwich published in 1973. Although some of the language is dated, this is still a powerful and moving volume about xiii-year-old heroin addict Benjie trying to find his mode in New York's Harlem. Written in brusk, alternate chapters from differing perspectives (Benjie's mother Rose, best friend Jimmie-Lee, school principal, several teachers, drug pusher, and stepfather) the book vividly captures Benjie's world of beloved and despair, tragedy and tenderness. Both realistic and unflinching, the book left me with a feeling of sadness, and a sense of hope, but no real answers.

The book was adapted into a film in 1978 starring Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield.

Built-in in Charleston, Southward Carolina in 1916, Alice Childress moved to Harlem in 1925 and joined the American Negro Theater in 1941. She was the first African American adult female to take a play professionally produced in New York, and one of the first African American women to direct an off-Broadway play. She was nominated for a Tony award as Best-Supporting Actress for her role in the 1944 production Anna Lucasta. A revival of her first full-length play Problem in Heed was recently performed in Washington, DC to rave reviews. Y'all can read an abstruse of The New Yorker commodity here.

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Sep 28, 2007 Meaghan rated it really liked it

This volume was written in the early seventies and is pretty dated now, both in the attitudes of the characters and the way they talk. Modern-twenty-four hours high school kids may observe it hard to chronicle to and I, a white girl from suburbia, found the Ebonics difficult to empathize.

However, the book definitely has its merits. I was impressed with the author'south ability to create a multitude of narrators, none of them sounding also much like the other. The author also did an fantabulous job establishing the setting (whic

This volume was written in the early seventies and is pretty dated at present, both in the attitudes of the characters and the fashion they talk. Modern-day high school kids may discover information technology hard to relate to and I, a white girl from suburbia, found the Ebonics hard to understand.

All the same, the book definitely has its claim. I was impressed with the author's power to create a multitude of narrators, none of them sounding too much like the other. The writer also did an fantabulous job establishing the setting (which is why the book is so dated now) and the family love and friendship still shine. The cryptic ending was well washed, and those tin can be tricky. I would nonetheless recommend this for young adults, simply in context -- perhaps in conjunction with other books ready in the same menses, or as part of a school unit covering civil rights and the black power movement of the sixties and seventies.

What you lot must empathise is that this book is not actually well-nigh drugs. Rather, it's nigh the bear on Benjie'south heroin addiction has on his family, his friends and his teachers. If yous desire to read about drugs, read Crank . (Y'all should anyway; that's an awesome volume.) If you lot want to read well-nigh the struggles of a working-course urban black family in the late sixties or seventies, read A Hero Ain't Nothin But a Sandwich.

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February 26, 2010 Liz rated it liked it

This volume brings up many great points to talk over with teens in a volume club or school setting. Issues include: teen drug abuse and addiction, race relations, the successes and failures of the ceremonious rights motion, the education of urban African-American youth, family communication, etc. Unfortunately, this book was written for a teen audition in the early on 1970s, and that causes a tremendous amount of dated-ness. The hip jive dialect bears little resemblance to the linguistic communication used by urban teens (o This book brings upwardly many great points to discuss with teens in a book club or school setting. Issues include: teen drug abuse and addiction, race relations, the successes and failures of the civil rights movement, the instruction of urban African-American youth, family communication, etc. Unfortunately, this book was written for a teen audition in the early on 1970s, and that causes a tremendous amount of dated-ness. The hip jive dialect bears piddling resemblance to the linguistic communication used by urban teens (or anyone else) today, making a volume clearly written for reluctant readers rather challenging and at times unintentionally humorous.

The ending is disappointingly unrealistic. The rest of the book feels extremely true, but the chase scene and quick-fix ending cheapen the characters and the plot as a whole. All the same, in that location is a lot for readers of any historic period, race, and background to think almost cunningly slipped into this very slim book.

I give this book a 3.five, only if we were living in the lxx's I'd requite it a 4.5.

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May 23, 2013 Yinglin Chen rated information technology it was astonishing

Benjie a thirteen year old teenager, is having a bit of trouble admitting is issues. From smoking marijuana to injecting heroin, he keeps on saying he isn't addicted to any of the drugs. However, his mother and her boyfriend, Butler, constantly deals with Benjie stealing household items for drug coin.

A book about teenage life in the seventy's isn't necessarily the novel you lot thought it would be about. This volume wasn't the all-time volume if yous don't pay attention to the headings and names of the capacity. Each

Benjie a 13 yr onetime teenager, is having a bit of trouble admitting is problems. From smoking marijuana to injecting heroin, he keeps on saying he isn't addicted to any of the drugs. Yet, his mother and her boyfriend, Butler, constantly deals with Benjie stealing household items for drug money.

A book about teenage life in the lxx'south isn't necessarily the novel y'all thought it would be most. This book wasn't the best book if yous don't pay attending to the headings and names of the chapters. Each chapter is written in a different character's point of view. From Benjie, to his stepfather and female parent, the drug dealers and other various characters.

However, in this book Butler, Benjie's mother's boyfriend, never gives up and tries to help Benjie overcome his drug trouble. He ever believes in himself and believes in Benjie, while everyone avoids Benjie. From that point on, I realized that the only matter you lot really need to exercise to succeed, is to believe that you tin achieve.

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I similar this volume and I don't like this book. This is a re-read for me. The showtime fourth dimension I read it I was about the same age every bit Benjie. I think I liked it more than then. The alternating perspectives is what makes this book interesting. Through the various narrators optics you get a nifty vision of what the community is similar, but at the same time I don't feel equally if I got to know my main character well enough. He remains elusive and shifty throughout the book. The colloquial used tin be at sometimes catchy I like this book and I don't similar this book. This is a re-read for me. The commencement time I read it I was about the aforementioned age as Benjie. I think I liked it more then. The alternate perspectives is what makes this book interesting. Through the various narrators eyes you lot get a great vision of what the community is like, only at the same time I don't feel as if I got to know my primary character well enough. He remains elusive and shifty throughout the book. The vernacular used tin exist at sometimes tricky to understand, simply once you lot get used to it the story flows. The ending is what drives me nuts, either give me a happy ending or a lamentable one, non exit information technology upwards for me to decide. It really makes you question your faith in humanity. ...more

This was a lilliputian difficult to become into because the first chapter is told in dialect, and I was tired when I started it. It'due south told in alternating POVs by everyone afflicted by Benjie'south drug use and offers some interesting perspectives on family unit, race, and economic equality.

It'southward a slim volume but took me longer than I expected to read--probably considering it took me a fiddling while to figure out.

That ending is killer, for sure. Worth it just for that.

Read Harder 2016: Read a book originally published in

This was a little hard to get into because the offset chapter is told in dialect, and I was tired when I started it. It'due south told in alternating POVs by everyone afflicted by Benjie's drug use and offers some interesting perspectives on family, race, and economical equality.

It's a slim volume but took me longer than I expected to read--probably because it took me a fiddling while to figure out.

That ending is killer, for certain. Worth information technology just for that.

Read Harder 2016: Read a book originally published in the decade you were born

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Sep 05, 2012 Laura rated it actually liked information technology

I remember seeing this title when I was in junior high. My librarian steered me away from it. Although I never read it, I e'er remembered it because of the title.

Flashforward many, many, many years and I come across the title again. The book is much thinner than I remember. I decide to read it anyway to see if it might exist of interest to my struggling readers.

It'due south a good story with ever-changing points of view. The trouble is the language. There is no fashion that I could become away with having this on my sh

I remember seeing this title when I was in junior high. My librarian steered me away from it. Although I never read it, I always remembered information technology considering of the championship.

Flashforward many, many, many years and I see the title again. The book is much thinner than I retrieve. I determine to read information technology anyway to see if it might exist of involvement to my struggling readers.

It'south a practiced story with ever-changing points of view. The problem is the language. At that place is no way that I could get away with having this on my shelves. Parents would gripe something awful even though the problems faced by the xiii-year olds in the story are real, perchance as well real.

Students might be put off at commencement by the use of dialect. They may non understand all the slang at offset either. I wonder if they'd understand all the Black Ability references. Only the (foul) language would intrigue them, as would the drug utilise. It'south the kind of thing they dig, dig?

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Sep thirteen, 2008 Suebee rated it it was ok

A controversial volume because of its slang, street linguistic communication and drug activeness, I think this book is more suited for teens/adults. Information technology's non a "children's book" merely because there is a child grapheme. The book is set in a tough NY neighborhood. Benjie is a 13-year-former boy who abuses drugs, and the book is told from his point of view, as well as his mother's, his mother's boyfriend (Butler Craig), his grandmother, the next door neighbor lady who wishes Butler were hers, the school main, and te A controversial volume because of its slang, street language and drug action, I think this volume is more suited for teens/adults. It'south not a "children's volume" only because there is a kid grapheme. The book is set in a tough NY neighborhood. Benjie is a 13-yr-former boy who abuses drugs, and the volume is told from his betoken of view, as well every bit his mother's, his mother's boyfriend (Butler Craig), his grandmother, the next door neighbour lady who wishes Butler were hers, the school principal, and teachers Mr. Cohen ("whitey" whose kids read remarkably well) and Nigeria Greene (who causes trouble with his activism). I call up the book deals with historical political problems that kids today definitely wouldn't become, but information technology'south a good "snapshot" of history. ...more than

Oct 02, 2015 Alexis Wray rated it actually liked it

I really enjoyed this book. I specially similar how information technology had all the perspectives in Benjis life telling the story of how heroin became apart of his life. The merely part I didn't similar was the ending, the catastrophe was Butler just waiting for him to come dwelling and hoping that he wasn't back on drugs. I just wish at that place would accept been more than of an ending! I really enjoyed this book. I particularly like how information technology had all the perspectives in Benjis life telling the story of how heroin became apart of his life. The but office I didn't like was the catastrophe, the ending was Butler just waiting for him to come dwelling house and hoping that he wasn't dorsum on drugs. I just wish there would have been more than of an ending! ...more

Nov 24, 2018 Kelly rated it really liked it

Slowly working my way through these classic YA novels. This one must have been eye-opening dorsum in the day.

A Hero Ain't Nothin' Only a Sandwich past Alice Childress falls under the genre of gimmicky realistic fiction and is intended for children 13-sixteen years of historic period. Due to the drug usage, I would say it is a book meant to children a little older than the typical center schoolhouse affiliate books. The volume won the Lewis Carrol Shelf Honour in 1975. The book follows the story of Benjie, a thirteen-year-old heroin addict growing upwards in Harlem with his mother and her young man. The volume is told by many different A Hero Ain't Nothin' Simply a Sandwich by Alice Childress falls under the genre of contemporary realistic fiction and is intended for children 13-xvi years of historic period. Due to the drug usage, I would say it is a book meant to children a little older than the typical middle school chapter books. The book won the Lewis Carrol Shelf Accolade in 1975. The volume follows the story of Benjie, a thirteen-year-old heroin addict growing upwards in Harlem with his mother and her fellow. The book is told by many different point of views, including his female parent, her young man, teachers at schoolhouse, his best friend and his drug dealer. The book takes yous through Benjie'due south life and addictions. I gave this volume a 3-star rating because to me, it was just okay. It was non the all-time volume I had read but I also did not hate it. The book was written in the seventies so there was a lot of lingo and slang that I did non fully sympathize. Information technology was also hard for me to imagine that a trivial thirteen-year-old was experimenting with such a hard drug, the near dangerous drug at that place is, although it is nonetheless happening to this mean solar day. It is just sad to think about. The author did a great job depicting the story despite the outdated slang used in the volume. I've always enjoyed reading books that switch off to unlike characters signal of view and this ane did not disappoint. I was always eager to get to the step-male parent's POV and the drug dealer'due south. The book was a little deadening at times just overall was a very easy read. I call back this would be a great volume for young adults to read to innovate a discussion of drug corruption, addiction, and politics. This volume is not intended for children or even heart schoolers. I call back this volume is best suited for teenagers who are really starting to witness drug utilize in their social settings. Overall, this book was a good read. It had me pulling for Bennie at times hoping he can beat this and turn his life around to other times getting so mad at him for the decisions he was making. Great book to better understand drug habit amongst teenagers.

12/02/17

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A hero ain't nothin merely a sandwich
Past: Alice Childress

The book I read is called "A hero ain't nothin but a sandwich" it'southward by Alice Childress. The story is about a teenage male child named Benjie and how him and his loved ones deal with his drug problem. I really liked this book because it shows the reality of drug addiction and how it affects people and the ones they honey.

This volume is near Benjie, his mom, stepfather, grandmother, teaches, friends and principal and how they feel about his drug use. T

A hero own't nothin but a sandwich
By: Alice Childress

The volume I read is called "A hero ain't nothin but a sandwich" it'due south past Alice Childress. The story is near a teenage boy named Benjie and how him and his loved ones deal with his drug trouble. I really liked this book because information technology shows the reality of drug habit and how it affects people and the ones they love.

This book is about Benjie, his mom, stepfather, grandmother, teaches, friends and principal and how they feel about his drug use. The story takes place in a neighborhood they called the ghetto, when Benjie was 13 teen. The reason he got into drugs was to escape from himself because his begetter left and his mother got married to a new man. The theme of this story is that no matter how deep it gets there's ever a way out.

I liked this volume considering information technology shined lite on how drugs affect those effectually you and showed non only Benjie's perspective only his family and teachers as well. For instance in the story Benjie finds a friend and he gets him hooked so ends upwards leaving when Benjie is to much of a problem. Rose Benjie'southward grandma talks about how she believes in god and that if Benjie believed he would be clean.
In the end Benjie did get clean with the help of his family.

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Anthology to mind to while reading: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, by Gil Scott-Heron. Almost every song matches the themes and mood of this groundbreaking young adult novel. I'll prove it.
"The Revolution Will Non Be Televised"—Benjie'southward teacher Nigeria stirs up all his students with Black Nationalism and is trying to first that revolution, which drives Benjie's other instructor Mr. Cohen crazy. Light-green Acres, Beverley Hillbillies, and Hooterville Junction will no longer be then damn relevant, and Album to listen to while reading: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, by Gil Scott-Heron. Almost every song matches the themes and mood of this groundbreaking young adult novel. I'll prove information technology.
"The Revolution Will Non Exist Televised"—Benjie'south teacher Nigeria stirs upward all his students with Black Nationalism and is trying to kickoff that revolution, which drives Benjie's other teacher Mr. Cohen crazy. Green Acres, Beverley Hillbillies, and Hooterville Junction will no longer be so damn relevant, and women will not intendance if Dick finally got downwards with Jane on Search for Tomorrow, because blackness people volition be in the streets looking for a brighter day…the revolution will not exist right back after a message about white lightning, white tornado, or white people…the revolution will be no reruns, brothers, the revolution will be live.
"Lady Mean solar day and John Coltrane"—Benjie's stepfather Butler is a former saxophonist, and listening to Coltrane is a comfort in his life of working at a chore he doesn't like since he gave up on his dream. Ever feel kind of downwardly and out, y'all don't know just what to do?/Living all of your days in darkness, permit the sun shine through./Ever feel that somehow, somewhere, y'all lost your manner,/And if you don't get help quick you lot won't go far through the day?/Could you telephone call on Lady Day,/Could yous call on John Coltrane now,/'Crusade they'll wash your troubles away.
"Home is Where the Hatred Is"—Stand every bit far away from me as you can and ask me why…Hang on to your rosary beads, close your eyes to watch me dice…You keep saying, Kick it, quit information technology, kicking information technology, quit it, God, but did you ever try? Benjie'south stealing drives Butler out of the flat to the mantrap downstairs. Habitation is filled with pain, and it might non be such a bad idea if I never went habitation once again.
"Salve the Children"—For once, Nigeria and Mr. Cohen agree. Benjie's drug addiction has to be stopped. We've got to practise something, yeah,/To save the children./Before long it volition exist their turn to relieve the world…If nosotros know all nosotros say we know about the problems,/Why tin can't we do something to try and solve them? ...more than

January xiv, 2012 Chris rated it really liked information technology

Summary:
Thirteen-year-one-time Benjie is like a lot of ghetto children: he's black, he's poor, he hasn't got a father, and he's gone from smoking marijuana to using heroin. He says he's not addicted. He can cease anytime he wants. Withal, his mother and her boyfriend, Butler Craig, are getting fed up because he'southward stealing all their stuff and selling information technology for drug money. When the teachers run across him stoned at school, they send him up for detoxification and treatment. Benji is released and things seem OK fo

Summary:
Xiii-year-one-time Benjie is like a lot of ghetto children: he'due south black, he'southward poor, he hasn't got a male parent, and he'due south gone from smoking marijuana to using heroin. He says he'south not addicted. He tin can stop anytime he wants. All the same, his mother and her swain, Butler Craig, are getting fed upwardly considering he'due south stealing all their stuff and selling it for drug money. When the teachers run into him stoned at school, they send him up for detoxification and handling. Benji is released and things seem OK for a while but then he tries to steal from Butler who chases him up to the rooftop and ends up saving Benji's life when he almost falls. This is a real breakthrough in their relationship simply the novel ends ambiguously as Butler waits for Benjie to appear for an appointment at the drug rehab middle.

My Comments:
The story is told from several points of view: Benjie, his female parent, his mother's fellow, his grandmother, two of his teachers who fight with each other just deeply intendance nigh their students, his best friend who's concerned well-nigh him, and the dealer who sells the drugs, among others. The shift in viewpoints tin sometimes be precipitous, only it really shows how heroin users (and all addicts) affect the lives of others around them. The story is also told in urban dialect, written with local accents and slang, which makes the reading a footling more than difficult but, definitely adds to the authenticity of the story. The book is filled with interesting and realistic characters, but the existent standout here is the stepfather, who is willing to have on a father role to Benji, and is equally loving and committed to Benji's mother as whatsoever husband could be although they are not married. Published in 1973, I think this book still has relevance today because drug use amongst younger people and in schools continues to be a problem.

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Jul 31, 2014 Haley rated information technology liked information technology

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view information technology, click here. Addiction told from different perspective, w/annoying dialect. Kid's on drugs, may or may non be a big bargain. Step-dad'southward a hardworking man doin his best. Jimmy his friends trying to work his manner outta the hood, introduced Benjie to drugs-pot. Granny talks virtually how much information technology sucks to become old, her old life equally a sharecropping child. The book follows racial inequality through the generations, shows other peoples experiences. Teacher talks about how hard it is to teach black kids all pumped up on black Addiction told from different perspective, w/annoying dialect. Kid's on drugs, may or may not be a big deal. Footstep-dad's a hardworking homo doin his all-time. Jimmy his friends trying to work his mode outta the hood, introduced Benjie to drugs-pot. Granny talks nearly how much information technology sucks to go old, her old life equally a sharecropping kid. The book follows racial inequality through the generations, shows other peoples experiences. Teacher talks about how hard it is to teach black kids all pumped up on blackness power, how he feels unfairly victimized -& blackness teachers like Nigeria brand information technology hard. Is merely exhausted from fighting so long. Jimmy too busy throwing a pity party for himself. Nigeria is zealous in his pursuit of black ability, & is creating a hostile environment. Is less interested in keeping the peace. I retrieve the point is that everybody has good & bad points nearly race relations. Mom'southward sad. Principle exhausted from trying to agree it together. Don't blame the pusher. Benjie says how he feels unnecessary, how he ended up pushin-stole Butler's clothers to go high. Butler left subsequently being lied to. Jimmy feels abased. Benjie ground up past the organization, his mother psychic desperate to ready him. Nigeria feels ineffectual. Benjie tried to steal from butler, almost died. Brush w/death kinda straightened Benjie out, made him want to endeavor to get clean. Butler's waitin for him, mighta relapsed. ...more

I snagged this book off of my young man's sister's bookshelf earlier I flew out of town, by and large because the title was funny to me. Benjie is a 13-year-old male child living in a rough neighborhood with his mother, her boyfriend and her mother. As is typical in many immature adult books the male child's descent into drug abuse goes nearly entirely unnoticed though, interestingly enough, non considering no one cares about him. It was refreshing that Benjie is not an driveling kid but simply a kid living under poor cir I snagged this volume off of my fellow's sister'southward bookshelf before I flew out of boondocks, mostly because the title was funny to me. Benjie is a thirteen-year-former male child living in a rough neighborhood with his mother, her boyfriend and her mother. As is typical in many young adult books the male child'south descent into drug corruption goes almost entirely unnoticed though, interestingly plenty, not because no one cares near him. It was refreshing that Benjie is not an abused kid simply simply a child living under poor circumstances. Each chapter is told from a different character's point of view, so throughout the text the reader understands exactly how each person feels about Benjie's problems which come to a head primarily past the mitt of ii entirely different teachers at Benjie's school.

This was a quick read and a good i, though maybe a picayune too dramatic at times - more than was necessary. The championship is sassy plenty and follows true to the actual story. I constitute myself actually pulling for Benjie a couple of times, and at others wishing I could slap him silly.

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Sep 25, 2014 Chase Larson rated it it was astonishing

Sept, 16, 2014

This book has an interesting plot and I will tell yous why. Ben starts to become fond on drugs and his parents get worried. This starts alot of drama in the family unit. Ben isn't worried nigh information technology at all even though he is being asked questions.

This book has a unique way of telling the story because each chapter has a diffrent point of view. In one chapter they could exist using Bens point of view so the principals point of view on the matter of his drug abuse. It's a very important role

Sept, 16, 2014

This book has an interesting plot and I will tell you why. Ben starts to get addicted on drugs and his parents go worried. This starts alot of drama in the family. Ben isn't worried about it at all even though he is being asked questions.

This book has a unique way of telling the story because each chapter has a diffrent indicate of view. In one affiliate they could exist using Bens point of view then the principals point of view on the matter of his drug abuse. Information technology'southward a very important office of the story knowing what the other person thinks.

The characters all have life similar personalities. This keeps you fifty-fifty more interested considering usally characters in fiction books don't have the nigh real personality. All of them are trying to help in there own style but it starts more than disharmonize. This story always keeps you on your toes trying to read what happens side by side faster.

All in all this story is very interesting and unique volume that makes you read then read the book for hours.

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Jan 19, 2012 Becky rated it it was ok

This review has been subconscious because it contains spoilers. To view information technology, click hither. I am always a fan of stories told by many different narrators, and this volume was no exception. I thought this story really showed how drug abuse affects everyone, not just the addict. Benjie is clearly addicted to heroin, even so he believes he tin can stop at anytime. His addiction is ruining the lives of his mother, stepfather and grandmother, with whom he lives. We see Benjie complete rehab and then steal from his stepfather in club to feed his addiction. At the end of the volume, Benjie appears to hi I am always a fan of stories told past many dissimilar narrators, and this book was no exception. I thought this story really showed how drug abuse affects anybody, not just the addict. Benjie is conspicuously addicted to heroin, yet he believes he tin can stop at anytime. His addiction is ruining the lives of his female parent, stepfather and grandmother, with whom he lives. We come across Benjie consummate rehab and then steal from his stepfather in social club to feed his habit. At the end of the book, Benjie appears to hit a turning point and really desire to change, but we still see Butler waiting for him at the followup clinic, hoping he will evidence up. I idea this book was good and fairly piece of cake to read, minus some of the slang used. It was a little dated, but I think it could still be appreciated by kids today. I would recommend information technology to eye and early high schoolhouse students.
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Jan 15, 2012 Padjet2 rated information technology liked information technology

I liked the use of multiple characters leading a narrative A Hero Ain't Zippo But a Sandwich. I think it helped because the main character Benji and his addiction to heroine compromised his interpretations of events, specifically with Benji'southward teachers and his Benji's stepfather, Butler. Benji had many moments complete and utter disrespect of Butler for the patently reason that he is not his real father. I can come across how the fact that Benji's real father abandoning his family unit could foster harsh feeli I liked the use of multiple characters leading a narrative A Hero Ain't Zip But a Sandwich. I think it helped because the main graphic symbol Benji and his addiction to heroine compromised his interpretations of events, specifically with Benji's teachers and his Benji's stepfather, Butler. Benji had many moments consummate and utter disrespect of Butler for the patently reason that he is not his real father. I can meet how the fact that Benji's existent father abandoning his family could foster harsh feeling toward male figures in his life. So I would most likely advise this text to urban school libraries throughout Chicago for both middle and high school students 7th-tenth grade. The reading level of the text is simple, but the slang would create a challenge for the younger students. ...more

This 1 was okay. I liked that it was written from multiple perspectives, because drug addiction affects not only the addict but everyone around them. Information technology's a very introspective book, focusing more on thoughts and feelings instead of actions. I personally had trouble relating to it because I'm not blackness, and the language took a couple of tries to effigy out. The civil rights aspects of the book are still relevant today, only it distracted from Benjie's story. It felt like a longer read than it air-conditioning This one was okay. I liked that it was written from multiple perspectives, considering drug addiction affects not simply the addict but everyone effectually them. It'due south a very introspective volume, focusing more than on thoughts and feelings instead of actions. I personally had trouble relating to it because I'thou not black, and the language took a couple of tries to figure out. The civil rights aspects of the volume are still relevant today, but information technology distracted from Benjie's story. It felt like a longer read than information technology actually was. The ending was extremely anti-climactic and ambiguous.

However, if you desire to know how drug addiction affects those around the addicted, give it a shot. I could come across teens talking about a lot of the issues in this volume. Information technology's dated, but a lot of it is withal relevant.

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Very quick story of a young male child who gets fond to heroin. The capacity alternate betwixt the people in Benjie's life and reads a fiddling like a documentary. The characters speak directly to the reader about their lives and their fears for Benjie.

Benjie talks a lot about his feelings of alienation and the many ways he feels people disappoint him or look down on him. This was written in the 70s past acclaimed playwright Alice Childress and the language will experience dated to many readers. Withal, I

Very quick story of a young male child who gets fond to heroin. The capacity alternate between the people in Benjie's life and reads a little like a documentary. The characters speak straight to the reader about their lives and their fears for Benjie.

Benjie talks a lot nearly his feelings of alienation and the many ways he feels people disappoint him or look down on him. This was written in the 70s by acclaimed playwright Alice Childress and the language volition feel dated to many readers. All the same, I felt that the story still resonates particularly the richly described inner lives of each grapheme. The construction allows them to share more of their thoughts and motivations. My final thought is that information technology feels decidedly like an issue book and probably wouldn't be that appealing to today'southward teens.

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This book is memorable because I chose it for my first book study in 6th grade...the book is about an inner-metropolis kid and the linguistic communication includes some adult words - most chiefly the F-word. My mom flipped through the volume and so flipped out - she gave the librarians more than a slice of her heed and even tried to become the book banned from our schoolhouse...I was absolutely mortified. I became fast friends with the librarians, who would salvage books for me under the apportionment desk and if information technology was som This book is memorable because I chose it for my first book written report in 6th grade...the book is near an inner-city kid and the language includes some adult words - most chiefly the F-word. My mom flipped through the book and then flipped out - she gave the librarians more than than a slice of her listen and even tried to get the book banned from our school...I was admittedly mortified. I became fast friends with the librarians, who would save books for me under the circulation desk and if it was something the three of us knew my mom wouldn't like, I would go and read it in the library during dejeuner period... Man, I loved those ladies... Especially Mrs. Gettys. ...more

A quick read that gets correct to the heart of the matter regarding a heroin-addicted xiii-year-old boy. It is presented equally a collection of statements by the male child himself and the other people in his life. At that place is a moment or 2 in the book where information technology appears to be headed in an unrealistic management, but then the story line, the characters, and the reader are brought dorsum to reality.

Written 36 years ago, this book for immature adults focuses on violence and drugs that at present seem mild compared to the change

A quick read that gets right to the heart of the thing regarding a heroin-fond 13-year-old boy. Information technology is presented equally a collection of statements by the boy himself and the other people in his life. There is a moment or 2 in the book where it appears to be headed in an unrealistic direction, but then the story line, the characters, and the reader are brought back to reality.

Written 36 years ago, this book for young adults focuses on violence and drugs that now seem balmy compared to the changes that occurred in the 1980s and subsequently. In addressing the pressures and temptations faced past inner-city youth, it seems to still band true.

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Dec 04, 2016 Harambe rated information technology liked it

Not just summarizing the book and going over every detail and say how "amazing" "exiting" each event was i will talk almost how the book spoke to me. I enjoyed this book despite my first impression of the title. this really was a journey to another world start of all because of the book revolving around Benjies heroin habit. I am blessed that not i or my family unit has used or been addicted to drugs. It was interesting to come across how a person who has never used drugs like me could easily fall downwards thursday Non just summarizing the book and going over every detail and say how "amazing" "exiting" each event was i will talk about how the book spoke to me. I enjoyed this book despite my first impression of the title. this really was a journey to some other world commencement of all because of the book revolving around Benjies heroin addiction. I am blest that non i or my family has used or been fond to drugs. It was interesting to see how a person who has never used drugs like me could easily fall down the wrong path. how his life could change forever just like that. And your trusted friend are the ones that assistance lead to your downwards fall ...more

It was an interesting story of a young boy's drug corruption told from the point-of-view of various people in his life, including his female parent, stepfather, drug dealer, teachers, friends, grandmother, and social worker. In that location are a lot of sorry and powerful elements in this story, but the linguistic communication and references are and so dated that the book doesn't hold up for today'due south immature readers. It was an important volume during its time and because information technology's a criterion slice of YA literature, you can still find it amongst con It was an interesting story of a immature boy's drug abuse told from the betoken-of-view of various people in his life, including his mother, stepfather, drug dealer, teachers, friends, grandmother, and social worker. There are a lot of sad and powerful elements in this story, but the language and references are so dated that the book doesn't hold up for today's young readers. Information technology was an important volume during its time and because it's a benchmark piece of YA literature, you can withal detect information technology among gimmicky YA works in some libraries. I call up information technology's worth a read if you are studying urban life in the 1970s or early YA literature. ...more

Sep 07, 2011 Rachel rated it liked information technology

My last book of the summertime! This was a quick, arresting read, a story told in the voices and colloquial of its characters, with the occasional newspaper clipping thrown in. I have never lived in an urban slum, merely the characters and events seemed convincing to me. There were only a few lines that sounded too snappy or poetic to be real--the title line was one of them. Information technology'south easy to imagine this novel beingness performed as a series of monologues. Each character has redeeming qualities, and in the terminate My terminal book of the summer! This was a quick, arresting read, a story told in the voices and vernacular of its characters, with the occasional newspaper clipping thrown in. I have never lived in an urban slum, but the characters and events seemed convincing to me. There were only a few lines that sounded too snappy or poetic to be real--the title line was one of them. It's easy to imagine this novel being performed as a serial of monologues. Each character has redeeming qualities, and in the end (I haven't quite finished, just I'm sure) the protagonist is redeemed. ...more than

Nov 11, 2011 Marcia S rated it really liked it

The language in the book was a trivial hard to follow at start. Reading the story from the characters view gave a more in depth view of the psychological thinking's & personal troubles of the characters. This book made me feel many emotions from laughter from a funny joke made by one of the characters; anger due to the situations that many of the characters were facing as well as sadness due to the struggles the young boy was facing and knowing that there are far too many Benjie'due south in the globe.

Jan 07, 2013 Jamie rated it it was amazing

I liked the shifting narrators and the depth of each POV; each person'south story helped me understand the circumstances that led upwards to and connected through Benjie's story. I liked the historical context--I have a sense for early 1970s NY now. This book is essentially nearly addiction and the devastation it causes in individuals and communities; and information technology'south about the role of autonomy within family systems. The slang is something that takes getting used to, but I think this is a very valuable quick read I liked the shifting narrators and the depth of each POV; each person's story helped me empathize the circumstances that led up to and continued through Benjie'south story. I liked the historical context--I accept a sense for early 1970s NY at present. This book is essentially about addiction and the devastation it causes in individuals and communities; and it'southward about the office of autonomy within family systems. The slang is something that takes getting used to, but I think this is a very valuable quick read for young adults. ...more

Alice Childress (October 12, 1916 – Baronial 14, 1994) was an American playwright, actor, and author.

She took odd jobs to pay for herself, including domestic worker, photo retoucher, assistant machinist, saleslady, and insurance agent. In 1939, she studied Drama in the American Negro Theatre (ANT), and performed there for 11 years. She acted in Abram Hill and John Silvera's On Strivers Row (1940), T

Alice Childress (October 12, 1916 – August xiv, 1994) was an American playwright, actor, and author.

She took odd jobs to pay for herself, including domestic worker, photo retoucher, assistant machinist, saleslady, and insurance amanuensis. In 1939, she studied Drama in the American Negro Theatre (ANT), and performed there for eleven years. She acted in Abram Hill and John Silvera's On Strivers Row (1940), Theodore Brown'due south Natural Man (1941), and Philip Yordan's Anna Lucasta (1944). There she won acclaim equally an actress in numerous other productions, and moved to Broadway with the transfer of Emmet'southward hit one-act Anna Lucasta, which became the longest-running all-blackness play in Broadway history. Alice as well became involved in social causes. She formed an off-broadway union for actors. Her starting time play, Florence, was produced off-Broadway in 1950.

Her next play, Just a Piffling Simple (1950), was adapted from the Langston Hughes' novel Simple Speaks His Mind. It was produced in Harlem at the Club Baron Theatre. Her next play, Gold Through the Copse (1952), gave her the stardom of existence one of the first African-American women to have work professionally produced on the New York stage. Her adjacent work, Wedding Band: A Love/Detest Story in Black and White, was completed in 1962. The setting of the show is S Carolina during World War I and deals with a forbidden interracial beloved thing. Due to the scandalous nature of the evidence and the stark realism it presented, it was impossible for Childress to get any theatre in New York to put it upward. The show premiered at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and later on in Chicago. Information technology was not until 1972 that it played in New York at the New York Shakespeare Festival. Information technology was later filmed and shown on TV, but many stations refused to play it.

In 1965, she was featured in the BBC presentation The Negro in the American Theatre. From 1966 to 1968, she was awarded equally a scholar-in-residence past Harvard University at the Radcliffe Constitute for Avant-garde Report.

Alice Childress is too known for her literary works. Amidst these are Those Other People (1989) and A Hero Ain't Nothin' but a Sandwich (1973). Also, she wrote a screenplay for the 1978 film based on A Hero Own't Nothin' but a Sandwich. Her 1979 novel A Short Walk was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Childress described her writing as trying to portray the have-nots in a take gild. In conjunction with her composer hubby, Nathan Woodard, she wrote a number of musical plays, including Sea Isle Song and Young Martin Luther King.

(from Wikipedia)

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For those of us with a matter nigh history, at that place'south a real fourth dimension-travel element to adept historical fiction. Traditional educational models...

"I solar day I almost said information technology . . . afterward goin over the words in my mind, "Benjie, the greatest affair in the world is to love someone and they dear yous also." But when I opened my mouth, I said, "Benjie, brush the crumbs off your jacket." — 2 likes

"Schoolteachers can be some hard-eyed people, with talkin eyes; they mouth sayin one affair and them eyes be screamin another." — 2 likes

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