I enjoyed reading this book. I thought that the author did a good job at portraying the main message in the book through the characters and her use of descriptive words. The main message in the book emphasizes the importance of thinking through your decisions and being yourself despite what other people may be doing. This message can be portrayed through the characters James, an older brother who is easy to relate to, and Isaac, a younger brother who wants nothing more than to be just like his older brother. The author also uses descriptive words when describing how the characters are feeling, "he's grabbing at my arms like he wants to keep me back." The descriptive words and characters help us to understand that the brothers made the wrong choice in following the gang and that James wants nothing more than to take it back and just be himself, for Isaac's sake. ( )

This book is about James and his little brother Isaac who sneak out of their house when their mom is away at work. They go and meet up with a local gang called the K-Bones. James wants to be in this gang but must prove himself first. While they're out run the streets, they run into some trouble with another gang called the Snakes. James and Isaac run away from the Snakes because they have a gun. When they get back home they find their mom worried sick. James lies to his mom about where they were. The next day the K-Bones come to James and Isaac's house to tell them him he’s in the gang now and he proved themselves. James turns down their offer, and he realizes he needs to be a good example to his brother. This was another great book by Eve Bunting. I think it would be a good story to read to kids, to have them realize whether you have siblings or not other kids look up to you, and therefore it is so important to do the right thing. I really love this author! ( )

Eve Bunting gets so real in this book. The theme of this book is kid gangs and how they are not so "kiddish". Two young brothers get involved in tagging a highway sign to join a crew. The oldest brother assumes this is just a tagging game between another gang and them, until the other gang shows up with a gun. After running and hearing shots and his little brother falling to the floor, these brothers learn a valuable lesson..they don't belong in this gang. ( )

I dunno. I've been sheltered from inner-city issues, but somehow this seems implausible. Otoh, if it helps just one suburban kid feel empathy for those city kids trying to stay safe, it's valuable. I personally loved the illustrations - the group portrait of the high school kids was amazing. ( )

"Your Move" by Jame Ransome is a great book and reminds me of me and my brother brother growing up in our neighborhood. The book is about James and his little brother Isaac who sneak out of the house when their mom is away at work. They go and meet up with a local gang that around the same age as James called the K-Bones. James wants to prove himself to the K-Bones so he can join their gang. When their out and about town they run into some trouble and meet up with a grown up gang called the Snakes. James and Isaac run away and James thinks Isaac was shot, but it turns out that he was fine. They get back home and find their mom there worried sick. James has to lie to their mom about where they been. The next day the K-Bones come to James and Isaac's house to tell them their both in the gang now and they proved themselves. James turns down the offer and soon after Isaac turns down the offer too. James learns that he has to to lead his brother by good example and his brother does the exact same thing as he does all the time. The book ends with James and Isaac playing checkers and Isaac making the exact same moves on the checkerboard as James. ( )