We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success

This book is a biography details the lives of three young men from Newark, New Jersey. Those around them were involved in drugs and gangs and often went to prison. The three boys stayed together and pushed one another to become educated and eventually become doctors. The story highlights how important it is to have supportive- long term friendships. The three boys work together to “beat the street” and accomplish their dreams. I liked this book because of its inspirational message and its value on friendship. I also liked how the book switched between the authors writing and real life quotes and conversations from the 3 boys. It kept the book interesting and made it an easy read.

Three boys are growing up on the tough streets of Newark, New Jersey, USA. This is the story of the pact they made to improve their lives through providing support to each other through the bad times. They each made it through high school, college, and medical school whilst their childhood friends followed another path into criminal activity. Today, the three doctors give back to their communities in the hope of inspiring young people to follow their path, rather than he usual one of crime on the streets.

Some of their messages; 'Find people who inspire and encourage you and stick with them. Pick your friends carefully - those with goals similar to yours'... "The person who is successful is the one who doesn't quit".

An inspiring story, show more told in a series of chapters on each boy during their journey. Excellent reading material for teens. show less

In this work three African American doctors tell the story of how they used their brains, loyalty, and few good chances to escape their tough urban neighborhood, go to college and medical school, and become doctors. The book is targeted for an adolescent audience, although there is an adult version, called “The Pact” available. At the end of each chapter, the doctors give some advice to young people who want to achieve more than those around them expect.

Quote: “Young people need positive role models and guidance in their lives. There is no underestimating a positive figure in a child’s life.”

I picked this book up because it is the only one recommended by more than one of my ninth graders. I enjoyed the anecdotes about the show more childhood and teenage years of the young men, but mostly I appreciated their frank discussion of the challenges their lives presented, the choices they needed to make, and the belief of many in their neighborhood that they would never get out. I think young people would enjoy the work even more than I did, since the authors were careful to target students. show less

Recommended Ages: Gr. 6-12

Plot Summary: This non-fiction book follows three boys, Sam, George, and Rameck, who grew up in inner-city New Jersey, from about age 8 through medical school. The three boys formed a pact as high schools to become doctors, and not succumb to the dangers in their neighborhood.

Recurring Themes: drugs, gangs, peer pressure, positive peer pressure, medical field, hard work, university, medical school, friendship

Controversial Issues: drugs, gangs

Personal Thoughts: While the story told in this book is truly inspirational, I don't believe the writing is very high quality. Some parts seem cheesy and the dialogue in the book is clearly not what was said at the time. These three boys made it not just because of hard show more work, but because they are all intelligent and enjoyed school. While they seemed to have succeeded against the odds, I don't they give too much encouragement to those who don't like or have a hard time with school. I really enjoyed the message about positive peer pressure. I agree that without the pact, these boys may not have made it through medical school. Coming from an area where college was just an expectation, it was eye-opening to be exposed to a community where college is not even considered. I really liked that the three boys started an organization in college to bring kids from inner city neighborhoods to tour college campuses. show less

This book is three stories in one. It tells of three street kids who made a lot of mistakes growing up, but used friendship and positive peer pressure to become successful doctors. The text is easy to read and the message is encouraging to any age and all walks of life. I would recommend the book to anyone who needs a lift or just wants to read some positive material.

An account of how three friends helped each other to make it through high school, college, and medical school rather than follow their childhood friends into the criminal life. Now the three doctors work in their home community helping others to have better lives

I'm not the main demographic for this book, I did not like it and I understand why some people would love/need to read it. Again just not my thing.