Darkness Before Dawn By: Sharon M. Draper Publisher: Simon Pulse Year of Publication: 2001

1. Darkness Before DawnBy: Sharon M. DraperPublisher: Simon PulseYear of Publication: 2001 Emily Wichmann Block 2A

2. Introduction to the Novel • This story takes place at Hazelwood High School. A group of seniors are faced with the struggles of many casualties. They must cope with these tragedies and their dramatically effected feelings so they don’t lose self-control. • After the death of a previous member of their friend group, these vulnerable teenagers must deal with another friend’s death. • Keisha Montgomery was friend’s with the dead boy, Andy, since elementary school and was his ex-girlfriend. She must find a way to deal with her unstable feelings before she makes a unsafe decisions. • Keisha thinks she has been saved when she meets the principle’s son, Jonathon Hathaway, who is much to old for her.

3. The Protagonist: Keisha Montgomery • Keisha Montgomery is a mourning teenager who is unstable emotionally and is oblivious to her naïve decisions. She sneaks out with an older man and goes places without her parents’ consent. Although she can sometimes be irrational, she is supportive of her friends when they are going through rough times or when they want to talk about their love lives. She looks after and takes care of the younger brothers and sisters of her dead friends. • Keisha wants to be a women and be treated as one at an age that is not able to handle those responsibilities or consequences. Keisha soon learns that it is better to appreciate the life of a high school student and to not grow up to fast.

4. The Antagonist: Jonathon Hathaway • Jonathon is a suave gentlemen that is very nice and personal with Keisha. He persuades her to think that she is “like no one I have ever met.” He makes her feel like a women and always acts in a smooth and intellectual way. • Jonathon always “happened” to be at the same places as Keisha was and he always took her on Romantic get-a-ways. • Jonathon eventually takes his serious and romantic persona too far and gets Keisha in a very uncomfortable position that Keisha drastically struggles to get out of.

5. Central Conflict • Keisha supposedly falls in love with Jonathon because he makes her feel mature and womanly unlike all of her adolescent male friends at school. • Jonathon over time wins the heart of Keisha and persuades her too defy her parents and go on may secret dates without her closet friends and parents knowing against all caution. • Keisha is not rational due to her being love struck and she is still grieving over her dead friend Andy. • She feels slightly controlled by Jonathon but does not realize the trouble she is getting herself into when Jonathon thinks she is adult enough and does not respect her when he starts taking there relationship to the next level despite their enormous age difference.

6. Minor Character: Leon Hawkins • He is a silly jokester that strives to get a laugh out of anyone. By the end of senior year he was chosen to sing the class song at graduation showing that the class not only notices him but accepts him. • Leon has a huge crush on Keisha due to her glittering personality and her beauty. Leon has trouble expressing his feelings for her and secretly gives her anonymous gifts. • Leon eventually becomes her protector and one of her closest friends.

7. Minor Character: Rhonda • Rhonda is a caring, supportive best friend of Keisha that cares for her well-being. Rhonda is in a very close relationship with Tyrone which makes Keisha a little jealous due to the loss of her long time boyfriend that passed away. This helps draw Keisha to Jonathon, a bad influence. Rhonda tries to be a good friend to Keisha and warn her of the possible consequences of Keisha’s relationship with an older man.

8. Minor Character: Jalani • Jalani is a new student to the senior class at Hazelwood High School. She was a former fashion model that had to suffer through the loss of a parent that forced her to move. Though she seems perfect, she has a background that has given her wisdom and knowledge of the world. She becomes one of Keisha’s closest friends and tries, in addition to Rhonda, to persuade Keisha out of a uncomfortable and possible dangerous situation. Jalani is a sympathetic and trustworthy friend to Keisha throughout the story.

9. What Critics Sayhttps://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sharon-m-draper/darkness-before-dawn • Critics say that this book is well structured by the use of character backgrounds that are ethically influential in a positive way. The teenagers in the book all have well-rounded, pleasantly behaved lives that lead them t0 good decisions. Sharon M. Draper makes the characters “good role models which influences the reader into making good decisions such as think before you act, do your homework, stay away from drugs, and don’t have forced intercourse in high school.

10. What Critics Sayhttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13186614-darkness-before-dawn-hazelwood-high-3#other_reviews • One book review says that it is an amazing book and it teaches “life lessons.” • Another book review rated with five stars explains that the book is a real “page turner” and that it is very “realistic” which helps connect with real life applications. • In addition to the other reviewers, one critic also says that the book is amazing. The book gives the reader the perspective of troubled teenagers and the challenges they must struggle through in the book and in the real world.

11. What I Say • I believe this is one of the best books I ever read. Darkness Before Dawn creates a lot of suspense and keeps me interested and entertained throughout the entire book. The author gave a way enough information to make a reader wonder what is going to happen next, but she didn’t give away too many details to where the book was spoiled or the plot was figured out too early. • To read this book, the reader does not have to read the first two books in the trilogy first. The author sets the story up well enough and mentions the few key details from the previous books to completely understand this story in the trilogy .