Chameleon

by Charles R. Smith Jr.

Book Overview

Set to the beat of an urban summer, this street-smart novel follows an L.A. teen as he hangs with friends and faces life transitions -- and his first romance.

Shooting the breeze with his boys. Tightening his D on the court. Doing a color check -- making sure nobody's wearing blue or red, which some Crip or Piru carrying a cut-down golf club would see as disrespect. Then back to Auntie's, hoping she isn't passed out from whiskey at the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763646601
• ISBN13: 9780763646608
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

I am enjoying reading it!

Very interesting and touching to me. I also grew up in Compton and attended Roosevelt JHS as did Mr. Smith. In fact my mom's whole family attended Roosevelt and their last name just happened to be Smith. We are a upper middle class anglo family but shared many of the experiences and feelings described by Mr. Smith in this book! Mr Smith is a gifted writer! Del Zeiger, Woodland, CA [...]

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

"The Crips and Pirus are black just like me, but they might as well be white and I might as well be living in the segregated South, because as far as I'm concerned if you can't wear what you want or go where you want, when you want, then you ain't free." Charles R. Smith's CHAMELEON is a coming-of-age story that takes us into the heart of Los Angeles and the challenges that the main character, Shawn, is facing. Throughout this book we see how basketball, gangs, girls, and friends make an impact on Shawn's summer and future. The descriptive account of Shawn facing his fears and developing into a teenager from a boy makes the story a good read for urban youth. While Shawn improves his D on the court and falls in love with the "fine" Marisol, he is faced with the tough decision of whether to go to a school that is safe and free of gangs, or with his friends where he will fear the Crips and Pirus and have to see his alcoholic auntie every day. The story is told with abrupt honesty and humor. Shawn's relationship with his father was my favorite section of the book. They set a great example for young men because Shawn trusts his dad and talks to him about serious life-changing events in his life. Many males will be able to relate to Shawn's life and fears about his future, and that is why this book is one I would recommend to young men. Reviewed by: LaLeesha Haynes

Great lessons to be learned, disguised as a cool read for youths!

I really liked this book. It follows fourteen-year old Shawn and his friends through the hot L.A. summer before they start high school. Shawn's parents are divorced. He lives with his mother, but he usually spends some time with his father every couple of weekends. When Shawn's mother goes to work, she drops him off at his aunt's house in Compton. Shawn's aunt is an alcoholic, so he does not enjoy spending much time with her. Shawn spends most of his time hanging out with his buddies, playing basketball or shootin' the breeze. The Compton neighborhood is right on the border between two gangland territories. Their daily routine involves doing a `color check' before they head out for the day to make sure their clothing won't get them into any trouble with gang bangers. The neighborhood is full of colorful characters. The boys are streetwise, and do their best to steer clear of potential problems. We see how different encounters with people in the neighborhood influence the boys and help to shape them as they are growing into young adults. Shawn's parents decide that he is old enough to start making decisions about his own future. They leave it up to him to decide whether he wants to start high school in Compton, where his friends and the beautiful girl he really likes will be going, or if he wants to go to school in Carson; a better school in a safer neighborhood. Shawn wisely decides to take the summer to think about it, and the reader is wondering along with him what direction his life will take. As a mother, I feel my eleven-year old daughter is still a bit too young to read this book - but I would love for her to read it in a year or two. Chameleon speaks volumes about the choices people have to make in life. Without forcing it down the reader's throat, the author plays up the path of integrity as the only way to stay true to yourself. Shawn learns that true friendship not only involves accepting others for who they are, but also about trusting that your friends will always stick by you no matter what. I think Chameleon is a great book for young teenage boys, but girls should also grab this opportunity to learn about what goes through boys' minds, as they are entering puberty! As a parent, I was reminded of what a tremendous influence we have on our kids. As our kids turn thirteen-fourteen years old, and we spend less and less time with them, it is important that we continue to communicate with them in a responsible way while we respect them as individuals and young adults. Great book; I can highly recommend it!