Courage

Thirteen-year-old T’Shawn’s father died of cancer and the cost of his illness left the family poor, and his brother is in jail for gang involvement. T’Shawn discovers that he loves diving, but his mother can’t afford the cost of the diving team, and mysteriously he receives funding. Just when things appear to be going well, his brother is out on parole and when some crimes occur, the community—and T’Shawn—blames his brother. This novel for grades 5-9 portrays issues in the American medical system, how it feels to be part of a racial minority, and many challenges African Americans face today, including racism, police violence, gangs, and poverty.