Boy 21 synthesis page

How does this text make you think about justice in the world?

This text makes me think about all the towns all of the country that just aren't a safe environment to live in. The town in the text is full of mob violence, drugs, and graffiti. "Only, seven or so blocks from our homes, drug dealers hang out by the town courts and old men sit around drinking from brown paper bags." This quote shows how the town is not safe to live in. The town is not the only one, many towns across the US struggle to maintain order. In a few towns the police are corrupt and don't help people. The book has made me realize how tough it is for some children to grow up in areas where it's not safe to step outside of your house alone.

This text has also made me realize how affected some people are by a loss of a loved one. In the story a boy named Russ loses his parents, and then moves to live with his grandparents. There he pretends that he is an alien and that his parents are going to rescue him. He did all this because he was so upset by his parents loss. Russ does this to avoid get his mind of his parents death and to try and forget about it. Russ, who was being scouted by colleges for basketball, gave up his basketball career because he was so sad when his parents died.

 Is this story fair? Why/why not?

No, the story is not fair because children should not be forced to live in a neighborhood where you are not able to go outside alone. Also, there is a very powerful mob in town, and they killed the main characters mother, and hit his friend with a car and severely injured her. Kids shouldn't have to grow up with this type of violence so close to them. 

g