Fight Back

Fight Back by Brent R Sherrard is a quality book written for a struggling reader in middle to high school. The story is of Tyler Josten, who has never caught a break. He is struggling with anger, the result of his father’s aggression. Tyler’s attitude has gotten him in fights are left him alone with a huge chip on his shoulder. Until everything comes to a head and he has no place to go.

This is a book I would recommend students to read. This is a publisher that I would read again. I find I need books for boys along these lines. High interest and low readability without it looking like a ‘baby’ book.

A good read and a good find for a teacher like me. Just need to have the right student for this story.

I liked this one. It had good character development and an interesting and believable storyline.
I have a large collection of the SideStreets series in my library and I will definitely be adding this one to the collection.

I think this is a great book. It is gripping and relevant and would be a great read for any middle/senior school student. I found myself really pulling for Tyler to overcome the issues in his life. It is the right length for a reluctant reader who may feel overwhelmed by trying to read a longer novel.

Fight Back, by Brent R. Sherrard (2015, Lorimer), $9.95 CAD, ISBN:9781459408586

Recommended for ages 12+

Tyler has been his father's punching bag for as long as he can remember. After his mother takes his younger sister and abandons him to his abusive father, he sustains a beating that gets him removed from the house and placed with his grandmother, who doesn't really want much involvement in Tyler's life, either. Tyler becomes a street kid, fighting and getting into trouble, angry at life, until his grandmother wants him out, and he's placed into foster care with the Conway family, a husband and wife who've raised their own kids and open their home to Tyler.

While staying with the Conways, Tyler has no idea how to accept the kindnesses they give him. He's afraid to open a birthday gift from them, so he sleeps with the box, not wanting the moment to end. Mr. Conway is finally able to reach Tyler by introducing him to the world of boxing. A former boxer himself, Wayne Conway is able to train Tyler to fight his problems and get his head clear in the boxing ring, not out on the street. With the discipline of training giving Tyler a new lease on life, he's got the tools to fight his demons, but he has one last fight left - the one inside himself.

This is another great selection from Lorimer's Side Streets line of Hi-Lo fiction. Tackling the gritty life of a street kid and examining the abusive environment that spawned him, Tyler is a sympathetic character that risks being passed through the system until someone steps up and cares. Teens may recognize themselves or friends and family in Tyler. Adults may see someone they know in Tyler, and step up to do something. Make resources available to teens reading this book, including information on domestic violence and programs that offer an escape, whether it be information on shelters, academic programs, or athletics. Know the teens in your life and get this book into those hands.