Tyrell

by Coe Booth

Book Overview

An astonishing new voice in teen literature, writing what is sure to be one of the most talked-about debuts of the year.

Tyrell is a young African-American teen who can't get a break. He's living (for now) with his spaced-out mother and little brother in a homeless shelter. His father's in jail. His girlfriend supports him, but he doesn't feel good enough for her -- and seems to be always on the verge of doing the wrong thing around her. There's...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439838800
• ISBN13: 9780439838801
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Push
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.9" x 6.9"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

Amazing but sad book

The book is really good it talks about his struggles and how he has to be a man while he's only 14 worth the read for sure

Tyrell's one of the best YA novels I've ever read

This is without a doubt one of the best YA books of 2007. I was utterly convinced by Tyrell's character and situation.

My tenth grader wouldn't put it down!

I purchased this book for my son. He read the first page and wouldn't put it down. He finished it in two days and even read it while snacking at the table. Clearly an absorbing story, I highly recommend this book for your teenaged boy, especially those who have trouble finding an engaging read. Slightly adult content but okay for older teens.

Realistic and complex characters

I read Tyrell in one day--I couldn't stop reading. This book accurately reflects culture, language, history, and values of an African American family living in a homeless shelter in NY. Some of my favorite issues in the book include: adolescence, relationships with family and friends, foster care system, homeless/poverty, keeping secrets, and struggling to stay in school. On p. 127 Tyrell shares what teachers and school did for him. This was heartbreaking but true for many students across America. I will definitely share this book with high school students (Grades 9-12) and encourage them to read it.

TYRELL

THE BOOK TYRELL IS ABOUT HIM,HIS MOTHER, HIS LITTLE BROTHER TROY, HIS FATHER, AND HIS GIRLFRIEND NOVISHA.TYRELL LIVES IN A SHELTER WITH HIS MOTHER AND HIS FATHER IS IN JAIL. TYRELL IS TRYING TO GET HIS FAMILY OUT THE SHELTER, SO HIM AND HIS BEST FRIEND CAL IS PLANING TO THROW PARTIES SO HE CAN MAKE MONEY.HIM AND HIS BROTHER DON'T HAVE ANY CLOTHES AND THEY BE COLD DURING THE WINTER.SOMETIMES NOVISHA MOTHER BE TAKING CARE OF TYRELL AND HIS FAMILY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY OR FOOD TO EAT EACH NIGHT.TYRELL DOESN'T GO TO SCHOOL AND HES TRYING TO TAKE CARE IF HIS FAMILY AND ALSO NOVISHA AT THE SAME TIME.TYRELL MOTHER PUT TROY IN SPECIAL ED SO HE CAN GET AN SSI CHECK EVERY MONTH.THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH TROY BUT SHE WANTS THE SCHOOL TO THINK THAT SOMETHING WRONG WITH HIM SO HE CAN STILL GET HIS CHECK.TYRELL BECOMES REALLY CLOSE TO THIS GIRL NAME JASMINE THAT HE MET AT THE SHELTER BENNETT WHERE THEY BOTH LIVE AT.JASMINE HAD LIKE TYRELL SINCE THE FIRST DAY SHE SEEN HIM.THEY BE HANGING OUT SOMETIMES AND SHES BEEN TAKING CARE OF TROY WHEN HIS MOTHER WOULD LEAVE HIM IN THE HOUSE BY HISSELF. STARASIA

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Coe Booth's first novel, TYRELL, is a masterfully written, gritty reality check of urban life through the eyes of a heavily burdened fifteen-year-old. After his father is sentenced to prison (for the third time), it is up to Tyrell Green to take care of both his deranged mother and his seven-year-old brother, Troy. But Tyrell is only fifteen! Not only is he living in a completely run-down shelter, but he is broke, out of school, and struggling for some way to earn money to get his mom and brother out of shelter care and into an apartment of their own. In a place like the Bronx, it is easy for young adults to get caught up in a life of crime. Tyrell knows this, but is also a man of principle (for the most part, at least). Refusing to earn his quick buck through such shady sources as drug dealing, he originates a plan to get the money he needs to get things back to the way they were. The question of whether it will work, or whether it will blow up in his face....you'll have to read TYRELL to find out (but it's worth it!) The great thing about TYRELL is that Coe Booth keeps the pressure on at all times. Real life drama is quilted into the novel until the very end, and it is both humbling and very entertaining to read. She also incorporates real urban vernacular (e.g. "slang") to create an extremely real and convincing narrative. Coe Booth creates an atmosphere so believable it's impossible not to walk away after reading the novel and not have taken something with you. The characters experience the lowest of lows, the highest of highs, and everything in-between throughout the course of the story--and it doesn't stop until the very end. Dripping from head to toe with sharp turns and very surprising climaxes, it's sure to keep you consumed until the last page. It's a lot to pack into a story, but Booth does it gracefully and with extraordinary skill. I praise Ms. Booth's first novel and am waiting anxiously for the next. Plus, she's a PUSH novelist, and it doesn't get much better than PUSH! Reviewed by: Long Nguyen