If I Grow Up by Todd Strasser

“When you grew up in the projects, there were no choices. No good one, at least.”

If I Grow Up offers a gritty, realistic view of growing up in the inner city where teens face touch circumstances and limited choices. Deshawn, unlike many of his peers, is a good student and obeys his grandmother. He knows that life in a gang or being a drug dealer is not for him, yet his options seem scarce as he struggles to take care of his family. Although at times a bit heavy-handed, the message in this book is clear. Strasser clearly illustrates that without positive role models, support and direction, even the best teen can get caught up in wrong situations. One cannot help but to root for Deshawn as he tries to do the right thing and feel heartbroken when he succumbs to his environment.