The Fallen by Paul Langan

• ISBN: 978-1591940661
• Plot summary: Martin can't help thinking about his little brother. At the tender age of eight years old, his brother was killed by a gun that was aimed at he and his friends. They have been plotting revenge on the killer all summer, and now the time has come to finish what the killer started. On the morning of the planned killing, Martin decides that he cannot go through with it and instead goes to his school to get help to stop it. Now all his friends think he is a snitch and they're out to get him. Will Martin survive at the hands of his very own friends? Martin thinks that even if he dies in the fight, it will be worth it.
• Critical evaluation: Watching Martin navigate the relationships he has with his friends and the need he feels to stop the violence is a hard thing to witness. On one hand, Martin wants to avenge the death of his little brother, but he knows that the violence will never stop, that if they continue to perpetuate it, it will keep getting passed back and forth between the two rival groups. On the other hand, if Martin exposes his friends, he will have to endure their wrath himself. The bitter reality of life for Martin is both difficult to watch, but when he is able to tell the truth and end the cycle of violence, one feels inspired by his brave efforts.
• Reader's annotation: Martin wants to hurt his brother's killer, but he knows if he does, the violence will never stop.
• About the author: Paul Langan is the author of several YA books, including many others in the Bluford Series.
• Genre: Urban fiction
• Curriculum ties, if any: None
• Booktalking ideas:
• Do you think it was right of Martin to expose his friends' plan?
• Reading level/interest age: 15+
• Challenge issues: Violence
• Why was this item included? This item featured on a teen display in the Oakland Public Library.