Forged by Fire (novel)
Encyclopedia
Forged by Fire is a realistic fiction novel written by Sharon M. Draper. The novel was first published in 1997 and is the second book in the Hazelwood High Trilogy. It received the Coretta Scott King Award
.
The story focuses on Gerald, an African American boy who struggles with his life after the death of his aunt.
Originally, the first chapter of Forged by Fire appeared as a short story in Ebony
magazine on January 1991 under the title "One Small Torch".
Six years later, Gerald loves fried pickles and is now living with his Aunt Queen and he wants a new bicycle for his ninth birthday. However, near his birthday he gets a surprise gift that he never anticipated. Monique, Gerald's mother, visits Gerald in Aunt Queen's house. He learns that she has been out of prison for a year and that she has married Jordan Sparks, who is therefore Gerald's new stepfather. Gerald also learns that while Monique was at prison, she gave birth to Angel, which makes her his little sister.
Gerald's mother also reveals that she wants Gerald to live with her, his new stepfather and his new sister. Gerald and Aunt Queen refuse. Later, Gerald is forced to live with his new family after Aunt Queen dies from an unexpected heart attack.
As Gerald grows up, Gerald's stepfather's true nature is revealed when he begins to abuse not only Gerald but his mother and his little sister. Angel, afraid of the consequences that might come to pass, hides the fact that she is being sexually abused by her so-called father. Gerald eventually finds out, however, and tries his best to protect his sister who he has grown to love and adore.
However, Gerald's mother, Monique, refuses to see that Angel and Gerald are being abused as she only cares for her own well-being and does not show any consideration for her children but only for herself and Jordan. In yet another attempt of Gerald's to protect his sister, their apartment catches on fire. Although Angel and Gerald get out of the house safely (Monique is not there), Gerald's stepfather is killed in the fire.
Coretta Scott King Award
The Coretta Scott King Award is an annual award presented by the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table, part of the American Library Association...
.
The story focuses on Gerald, an African American boy who struggles with his life after the death of his aunt.
Originally, the first chapter of Forged by Fire appeared as a short story in Ebony
Ebony (magazine)
Ebony, a monthly magazine for the African-American market, was founded by John H. Johnson and has published continuously since the autumn of 1945...
magazine on January 1991 under the title "One Small Torch".
Plot
The story begins with a three-year-old named Gerald that lives with his single mother. It gives the reader an idea of Gerald's knowledge and relationship with his mother. One day, after going to the superstore, Gerald's mother visits a drug dealer and leaves Gerald home alone. While she is alone, Gerald goes into her room and picks up a lighter. He starts playing with the lighter along with his other toys. While in the kitchen, Gerald moves the lighter from left to right and a curtain ignites. The flames start spreading throughout the entire kitchen. Afraid, Gerald hides behind the sofa and passes out. Gerald wakes up in a hospital where he starts asking the nurse for his mama. A few minutes later, Gerald's handicapped Aunt Queen arrives at the hospital. She later claims that she is going to become Gerald's new legal guardian.Six years later, Gerald loves fried pickles and is now living with his Aunt Queen and he wants a new bicycle for his ninth birthday. However, near his birthday he gets a surprise gift that he never anticipated. Monique, Gerald's mother, visits Gerald in Aunt Queen's house. He learns that she has been out of prison for a year and that she has married Jordan Sparks, who is therefore Gerald's new stepfather. Gerald also learns that while Monique was at prison, she gave birth to Angel, which makes her his little sister.
Gerald's mother also reveals that she wants Gerald to live with her, his new stepfather and his new sister. Gerald and Aunt Queen refuse. Later, Gerald is forced to live with his new family after Aunt Queen dies from an unexpected heart attack.
As Gerald grows up, Gerald's stepfather's true nature is revealed when he begins to abuse not only Gerald but his mother and his little sister. Angel, afraid of the consequences that might come to pass, hides the fact that she is being sexually abused by her so-called father. Gerald eventually finds out, however, and tries his best to protect his sister who he has grown to love and adore.
However, Gerald's mother, Monique, refuses to see that Angel and Gerald are being abused as she only cares for her own well-being and does not show any consideration for her children but only for herself and Jordan. In yet another attempt of Gerald's to protect his sister, their apartment catches on fire. Although Angel and Gerald get out of the house safely (Monique is not there), Gerald's stepfather is killed in the fire.
See also
- Sharon M. Draper
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