Dope Sick
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By: Walter Dean Myers
A powerful novel of drugs, violence—and second chances. Dope Sick, from two-time Newbery Honor winner and five-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Walter Dean Myers, belongs on reading lists beside Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds and Dear Martin by Nic Stone. A drug deal goes south and a cop has been shot. Lil J's on the run. And he's starting to get dope sick. He'd do anything to change the last twenty-four hours, and when he stumbles into an abandoned building, it actually might be possible. . . . Elements of magical realism intensify this harrowing story about drug use, violence, perceptions of reality, and second chances. This ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers earned multiple starred reviews and was described as "vivid," "nuanced," and "intriguing." Booklist said: “Myers’ narrative strategy is so inherently dramatic that it captures his readers’ attentions and imaginations, inviting not only empathy but also thoughtful discussion.” Walter Dean Myers was a New York Times bestselling author, Printz Award winner, five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, two-time Newbery Honor recipient, and the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Maria Russo, writing in the New York Times, called Myers "one of the greats and a champion of diversity in children’s books well before the cause got mainstream attention."
AI Overview
Comprehensive Overview of "Dope Sick" by Walter Dean Myers
Plot Summary: "Dope Sick" by Walter Dean Myers is a novel that explores the consequences of bad choices in a disadvantaged environment. The story revolves around Lil J, a 17-year-old teenager who finds himself in a desperate situation after a drug deal goes wrong. During the deal, Lil J's partner, Rico, shoots and kills an undercover police officer, leading to a chaotic pursuit by the police. Lil J, who is badly shot in the arm, manages to escape into an abandoned apartment building.
Inside the building, he meets Kelly, a seemingly homeless man who possesses a magical television that can replay pivotal moments from Lil J's life. Kelly asks Lil J to reflect on his past and identify one thing he would change to avoid his current predicament. Despite his initial reluctance, Lil J opens up about his experiences, including his involvement in the botched convenience store robbery in Houston, his drug use, and his troubled relationship with his girlfriend Lauryn and their child Brian.
Lil J insists that he would change the events of the drug deal, which Kelly shows him on the television. The scene depicts Lil J contemplating suicide as the police storm the building. Kelly's questioning and the magical television serve as a catalyst for Lil J to confront his past and consider alternative paths.
In a dramatic turn of events, Kelly engages in a gunfight with the police, allowing Lil J to escape. The novel concludes with Lil J watching the news, learning that the shooter of the police officer has been apprehended, indicating that Kelly fulfilled his promise and freed Lil J from his predicament.
Key Themes:
- Consequences of Bad Choices: The novel highlights the dire consequences of Lil J's involvement in drug dealing and his subsequent actions.
- Disadvantaged Environment: The story is set in a poverty-stricken ghetto in Harlem, New York, emphasizing the challenges faced by individuals in disadvantaged environments.
- Magical Realism: The magical television serves as a tool for introspection and self-reflection, adding an element of magical realism to the narrative.
- Second Chances: The theme of second chances is central to the novel, as Lil J seeks to alter his past and change the course of his life.
- Drug Use and Violence: The book vividly portrays the impact of drug use and violence on individuals and communities.
Critical Reception: "Dope Sick" has received positive reviews for its vivid and nuanced portrayal of life in a disadvantaged environment. Here are some critical highlights:
- ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers: The book was recognized for its ability to engage reluctant readers with its gripping narrative and thought-provoking themes.
- Multiple Starred Reviews: The novel earned multiple starred reviews for its vivid, nuanced, and intriguing storytelling.
- Booklist Review: Booklist praised Myers’ narrative strategy, noting that it captures readers’ attentions and imaginations, inviting empathy and thoughtful discussion.
- Kirkus Reviews: Kirkus Reviews described the book as a powerful novel of drugs, violence, and second chances, highlighting Myers’ profound insight into the scene and its ability to instigate sober thought among readers.
Overall, "Dope Sick" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of life in a disadvantaged environment and the potential for second chances. Its vivid portrayal of drug use, violence, and the struggles of adolescence has resonated with readers and critics alike.