Tears of a Tiger
| Tears of a Tiger | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Author(s) | Sharon M. Draper |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Hazelwood Trilogy |
| Genre(s) | Realistic fiction |
| Publisher | Atheneum |
| Publication date | 1994 |
| Media type | Print(hardcover) |
| Pages | 162 |
| ISBN | 978-0-689-80698-8 |
| Followed by | Forged by Fire (novel) |
Tears of a Tiger is a fiction novel written by Sharon M. Draper. It was first published by Atheneum in 1994, and later on February 1, 1996 by Simon Pulse, and is part of the Hazelwood Trilogy. It depicts the story of a seventeen-year-old African American boy named Andy, who feels deeply guilty for inadvertently causing his best friend's death through drunk driving.
Main characters
- Andy : The teenage protagonist of the story.
- Robert : One of Andy's best friends. He was the only fatality in the drunk driving accident Andy caused.
- Monty : Andy's younger brother who looks up to Andy and gets advice from him throughout the story.
- B.J. : Another one of Andy's close friends. He becomes deeply religious after Robbie's death.
- Dr. Carrothers : Andy's psychologist.
- Keisha : Andy's girlfriend. At first, she attempts to empathize with his troubled situation. Eventually, his attitude is too much for her and she breaks up with him.
- Rhonda : Keisha's best friend and Tyrone's love interest.
- Gerald : Andy's friend who is abused by his stepfather.
- Tyrone : Andy's friend and Rhonda's love interest
Plot
Robert, Andy, Tyrone and B.J. go out drinking after winning a high school basketball game. Andy is driving and causes an accident, resulting in Robert's death. Andy feels responsible for Robert's death, and begins visiting therapist to work through his guilt. Meanwhile, Andy begins having visions of Robert in his sleep, in which Robert blames Andy for his death.
Andy's family and friends become di r's shotgun.
Awards
- 1995 American Library Association/Coretta Scott King Genesis Award
- ALA Best Bfro
