Battle of Jericho

A Guide for Reading GroupsTHE BATTLE OF JERICHOBy Sharon M. DraperAbout the BookJericho Prescott and his cousin, Joshua, can't believe their good luck. They have been asked to pledge the most exclusive club at their school -- the Warriors of Distinction. The Warriors, known for their goodwill toy drive every holiday season, and their noble high ideals, seem just too good to be true -- perhaps they are. As the initiation process progresses, Jericho finds himself caught in a spiraling situation from which he cannot escape. "All of us or none of us" is just one of the vows the pledges must swear to, so if Jericho should fail in his attempts to pledge the club, the other fourteen pledges will not be accepted either. In addition, the pledges must swear absolute obedience, loyalty, and secrecy. They are asked to do things that make Jericho increasingly uncomfortable, but he is unable to take a stand. Should Jericho do what is right, or what is popular? And what about Dana, the bold young lady who defies the "boys only" rule of the club? Should he protect her, or let her struggle alone? As Jericho's internal battle rages within him, his cousin Joshua breezes through the pledge process, never thinking of the consequences, even when the fine line between fun and games, and life and death is crossed. This haunting novel of peer pressure and popularity spirals to a devastating conclusion.About the AuthorSharon M. Draper lives in Cincinnati, where she taught high school English for twenty-five years. She was named National Teacher of the Year in 1997, is board certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and is active in the National Council of Teachers of English. Her books includeTears of a Tiger, Forged by Fire(winner of the 1998 Coretta Scott King Award),Romiette and Julio, Darkness before Dawn,and, most recently,Double Dutch.She can be contacted at www.sharondraper.com.Discussion Topics1.The Battle of Jerichobegins with a chapter near the end of the book as an introduction. How does this method of telling the story affect the reader's response? What predictions can the reader make about Jericho and the situation he seems to have gotten himself into? Before reading all that preceded that night and understanding why Jericho was at that place in his life, what was your opinion of his decision?2. As you first meet Jericho, how is he like many young people today? How is he different? What seem to be his biggest insecurities? His greatest strengths?3. Describe the relationship between Josh and Jericho. Why are they so close? How are they alike and how are they different?4. What do you know of Douglass High School from the descriptions given in the text? How would you describe the building itself, the teachers, the students, the administration, the feel of the school? How does it compare to high schools in your community? Why is a high school a good location to discuss serious teenage issues?5. Jericho's great skill and source of pleasure is his trumpet playing. Trace the relationship between Jericho and his trumpet and how his love for music influences his decisions throughout the book. How is music important in the lives of young people? Why is music an easy way to explain complicated feelings? How can self-expression be used as a tool for helping or healing?6. Jericho parents are divorced, but it is clear that he is well loved. How do you think the divorce affected some of the decisions Jericho made in the story? Describe his relationship with Geneva, his father, his mother, and his two stepbrothers. How does the strength of his family make a difference in his life?7. Even though Jericho is fairly intelligent and mature, he is easily entangled in the desire to be accepted by the club. Explain how this occurs, and discuss whether you think Jericho's mistakes are realistic.8. Jericho's teachers seem to haveDraper, Sharon M. is the author of 'Battle of Jericho', published 2004 under ISBN 9780689842337 and ISBN 0689842333.