What was tears of a tiger about

Exploring themes of guilt, regret, atonement, and the impact that deaths have on those left behind, Tears of a Tiger is still a popular reading choice for high school students. The story opens with Andy and a group of his friends celebrating after winning their high school basketball game. Andy is one of the stars of the team, and is considered to have a bright future.

The boys have a couple of beers before they head out, but Andy feels okay to drive. They try to pull open the door but nothing works, and Robbie dies in the car.

The book then flashes forward to months later, as Andy is dealing with the fallout. Legally, he got off relatively easy, receiving a two-year suspended sentence that allowed him to stay in school, as long as he takes DUI classes and does community service. He feels like he should have been punished more than he was.

Andy is still plagued by guilt. Soon, Andy is able to get up the courage to rejoin the team and play basketball again. Soon, everyone starts to get back to normal, but Andy is still unable to move forward. One day while out on a date with Keisha, he almost jumps into oncoming traffic; she pulls him back. Related summaries: books by Sharon M.

Draper Blended. Copper Sun. That sweet little Donna Correlli was booed off the stage when she tried to sing opera. Well, there's the bell. I'm giving my first bell a pop quiz. Don't forget the human relations committee meeting tonight after school. Read the quotes above and explain how the point of view of the character who makes the observation influences the description. What is slanted about the opinions of the teachers who are speaking? Why is personal observation not always fair and unbiased?

Use examples from the book to support your statements. He musta passed out at first, cause all of a sudden we hear this screamin'. We ran around to that side but the door was bent shut and we couldn't get it open. All of us was screamin' by that time, because we could see his feet stickin' through the windshield. His legs was cut and bleedin' really bad. All we could see was these brand new Nike shoes sticking out the window, with the rest of Robert screamin and hollerin, stuck inside.

So then Andy and B. But then. Me and B. Help me--Help me--Oh God, please don't let me die like this! Using the passage above as a guide, write a descriptive paper that uses sensory imagery. Use vivid verbs and powerful adjectives and adverbs as you write. Use as many of the senses as you can--sight, sound, smell, touch, taste--as well as deep, rich colors. Covedale's Macintosh drives it down, tries for three, and--it rolls off the rim.

The crowd is roaring! Billy Smith grabs it for Hazelwood, and passes it to Mills. Mills can't find an opening. The clock is running--the crowd is counting seconds, nine, eight. He throws it off to Jackson, who is blocked by Stefanski.

Jackson turns--he's got one clear shot, but he has never made a three pointer in his high school career! There's six seconds, five, four--he shoots--it touches the rim--it rolls around--two seconds--it's in!.

They're screaming and cheering and mobbing the team, who pulled out a fantastic win tonight. Andy Jackson should be very proud of himself tonight.

He proved that he could stand up under pressure and in spite of the severe emotional strain he must have been under, he was able to pull it out. Congratulations to Jackson and to the Hazelwood team for a stunning victory over Covedale.

This is station WTLZ bringing you the high school game of the week. Write a narrative paper about a sporting event or any school activity that would include the telling of a good story. Your reader should be able to picture the scene.

Choose one of the following research topics:. Investigate the organization called S. Students Against Driving Drunk What has been its effect in high schools? How have students been getting involved to use positive peer pressure to stop the problem of teenage drinking and driving? Investigate the recent laws concerning drivers under the age of 18 who are involved in traffic fatalities. What is the usual punishment? Is Andy's punishment realistic or no longer true in many states?

What do you think should be the punishment for young drivers who drink and cause the death of another person? Investigate the problem of teenage suicide. Why is it not reported in the press?

What steps can be taken by schools to prevent this problem before it happens. How can friends help other friends who seem to be depressed or suicidal? You failed English and chemistry, and you just barely passed history and math! You even failed gym!

How can you consider yourself an athlete if you can't even pass gym? But I found 'em. They were in Gerald's locker.

What about English and chemistry? I talked to your English teacher a couple of months ago, and it seemed for awhile there that you were improving. What happened? She don't like me. She seemed genuinely concerned when she called me. That doesn't sound like someone who doesn't like you. Have you done all your assignments in her class? I'm trying to figure out what's going on here.

How do you usually do on her tests? What college is going to take you with grades like this? You were the one who said I wanted to go to college! We've been talking about college since you were a little boy! Getting a degree--maybe even in the field of Business Administration. Didn't you want to go to college to play ball so you could get a chance at professional basketball? You've really improved your game this year.

You didn't never come to even one of my games this year! Not one! Besides, I've seen you in the yard when you shoot hoops with your friends. I know you're good. I know my report card stinks. Why can't you just say that? Write a conversation between a parent and a teenager that covers issues of school, or homework, or family problems.

I know this sounds like a weird list, but I got my reasons. First, I'd get rid of peanut butter. When I was little, peanut butter and jelly was my favorite kind of sandwich. Mama would fix it as a special treat and it always made my lunch box smell so good.

But Mama left and the peanut butter stayed. We get it free, so there's jars of it sitting around. Sometimes that's all there is. It sticks to my teeth and it seems like it sticks my bones together--it always makes me feel clogged up. I'd also get rid of bandaids--for two reasons. One, they're beige. They say on the box, "skin tone" is the color of the bandages inside. Whose skin? Not mine!

So I hate wearing bandaids because they're so noticeable and people always say, "How'd you get that cut, or that bruise, or those stitches? When Andy came back to school after the accident, he was wearing a bunch of bandaids. At least, it took the attention away from me for awhile. But I'd still eliminate bandaids--at least beige ones.

Finally, I'd get rid of five dollar bills. With a five dollar bill, somebody's dad can buy a bottle of whiskey, a nickel bag of pot, or a rock of crack. He smokes it, or drinks it, and goes home and knocks his kids around, or his wife, before she got sick of it and left. He makes his kids wish they could leave. The next morning he doesn't even remember what he did. With a five dollar bill, Andy and the guys bought a six-pack of beer.

They ended up buying five dollars worth of death. It seems like all a five spot can do is buy trouble, so I'd get rid of five dollar bills. So, to make my world better, I'd get rid of peanut butter, bandaids, and five-dollar bills. Using the homework assignment that Gerald wrote as a guide, write a persuasive paper that includes an introduction, three support paragraphs, and a conclusion.

You can use one of the ideas below, or you can choose your own:. Write a character sketch of Monty-what made him unique-his personality, his charm, his love of life.

Use specifics from the book to illustrate your points.