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Book # 39 Rooftop

Over the past couple of days, I read the novel, Rooftop, by Paul Volponi. This is a book about a teenage boy, who lives in the projects and is struggling with substance abuse, gangs, and family trouble. The main character, Clay, struggles with smoking pot too much, and so he is sent to a day program like school called Daytop, where kids that have all kinds of issues, go to get better, and study for their GED. Clay is  really trying to make an effort  to get better, and get on the right track, when his cousin, Addison, comes to the program after getting caught selling drugs on the street. Addison and Clay start to becomes friends again, after their mothers fall out years ago. Clay finally has someone to talk to about everything, but Addison is only going through the motions to pass and not really change. Then, Addison is killed by police coming up on the rooftop to find out what is happening. Clay is left devastated, and has a hard time getting over Addison's death, and staying on his path.

I actually really enjoyed this book, and all that it has to say about addiction, family, drugs, school, and how hard life really can be everywhere. It's a wonderful coming of age novel, that can show kids that no matter what you are up against, there are always people there to help, and that you always have yourself to count on. There's a lot of depth to this novel, that I was surprised to find, but it really gave this book a good meaning. The more I read it, the more I enjoyed it, and the more it had to say. Life is hard all around, but you have to try to make yours better, or what do you really have? Volponi lays all the issues right out there, and doesn't try to hide or sugarcoat the truth about the lives of these kids, their parents, or other members of society. Clay has to make a decision, to face the truth and stand up for his future and his family's future, or fall into a life of drugs plagued only by withdrawal.

I would love to use this in my classroom, because it is such a great coming of age novel. It's geared toward young adults, but I think anyone can enjoy this novel.

Rating: (out of seven stars)

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