The Cruisers

This is a book about a school assignment. Sounds boring, right? Well, I think it managed to be as interesting as a book about a school assignment can be. See, there are these 8th graders: Zander, Kambui, Bobbi and LaShonda, collectively known as "The Cruisers" after an alternative school newspaper they produce. The Cruisers, all of them smart but unmotivated when it comes to school, are assigned to play the role of peacekeepers in a kind of mock Civil War going on at their school. The kids playing the part of the Confederacy take things too far, to the point where they offend people, especially the African-American students. Zander (who narrates the book) is one of the few black students at the school and the lead peacekeeper, so it show more ends up falling to him to put the Confederacy students in their place.

Zander has a unique way of putting things when he's trying to argue his point. For example, he won't get into a fight if he can't see the "win" in it. He keeps his cool as tempers flare over accusations of racism and arguments about free speech, so we get a pretty thoughtful, if slightly detached, discussion of slavery, history, and middle school culture. I wondered as I read if the Confederacy students really were purposely offensive, or if they were just callous or naive, but that's not really the point of the book. The point is how to deal with complex, senstive issues once they've been raised.

The book includes editorial pieces from The Cruiser as well as the official school paper. As I said, it's almost entirely focused on the Civil War assignment, but we do get to learn a little about the Cruisers' home lives. The parts with Zander and his actress mother were nice breaks from the school drama. I've heard there will be three other books to follow, probably one from the perspective of each Cruiser. Will they give up their lackadaisical attitude towards school by the end of the series? Maybe that's not the point... show less

I would recommend for older students, to encourage thinking about the consequences of their actions. When does role-playing bleed over into real life? How do we develop our personal values and put them into action?

Zander Scott and his friends, Kambui, LaShonda and Bobbi are students at the DaVinci Academy for the Gifted and Talented in Harlem. Unfortunately, their grades are slipping and Mr. Culpepper, the assistant principal, is just waiting for the opportunity to kick them out of the school. Part of the problem is their alternative newspaper, The Cruiser, which allows them to present their own unique point of view to the rest of the students. They are given one last chance to stay. The school has begun a study of the Civil War. Instead of just learning dry facts and dates, the school has divided the students into the various factions who were present at the time of the War...confederates, slaves, plantation owners, etc. Zander and his fellow show more Cruisers are presented with the task of bringing the factions together peacefully and preventing the Civil War altogether. As the students get into the project, the students representing the confederacy begin acting out their roles a little too realistically, causing much friction among the blacks and other minorties, resulting in fights and ill will among all of the students. Zander and the Cruisers have their hands full trying to avoid a second Civil War...right in
DaVinci Academy.

Walter Dean Myers is a prolific writer and knowledgable voice for African-American teens. He has tackled tough issues facing teens and presented those issues in a realistic way. "The Cruisers" takes on the issue of racism today, by illustrating how those same issues caused the Civil War. Myers' voice is casual and humorous, making his work very readable. This particular book, however, is a little "preachy" at times. It feels like the author is trying to teach a lesson rather than present the situation through realistic dialogue. Other than that, the book is a fast, enjoyable read, providing lots of food for thought and discussion and leaves the reader wanting to see more of the Cruisers. show less

At the Da Vinci Academy for the Gifted and Talented in Harlem, the 8th grade is going to study the Civil War in a very unusual way. The whole class has been divided into Union and Confederate sides, and they are itching to go to war. Zander, Bobbi, Kambui and LaShonda are the Cruisers, who believe that grades aren't everything and life ought to be enjoyed more... which gets them into trouble with the assistant principal after they publish an article in their alternative school paper. Their consequence is to become the negotiating team that brokers the peace between the Union and the Confederacy. Articles and editorials in the official school newspaper stir things up, and racism and prejudice create bad feelings all through the school. show more But it's just a class project, right? Anger leads to talk of violence, and the Cruisers need to find the way out that doesn't get people beat up. Told from multiple points of view, with the newspaper articles and editorials included, this is an exceptional story that gives readers a lot to think about: the First Amendment, racism and prejudice, family issues, and standing up for your beliefs. A knockout for 7th grade and up, especially appropriate for 8th grade with their studies of the Civil War and prejudice. show less

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

DaVinci Academy in Harlem is focused on gifted and talented learners. Unfortunately, Zander Scott and a few of his friends are not making the grade. They haven't been performing up to their potential lately, and the principal is about to make an example of their lax study habits by kicking them out. The four friends must find a way to prove themselves.

They are given the opportunity when the school begins a unit about the Civil War. Students are becoming divided along racial lines. As they study the historic conflict, the school itself is reenacting the events by taking sides - the Union and the Confederacy. Zander, Kambui, LaShonda, and Bobbi are given the task of making show more peace between the two sides. The challenge is to create the peace within school rules and without any resulting violent behavior. But with tempers running on high and tension reminiscent of the slave owners versus the abolitionists, they have their work cut out for them.

In addition to the battle going on in the classroom, Zander is fighting his own battle on the home front. His father is threatening to sue for full custody if his mother doesn't demonstrate that she can meet the financial and educational needs required to parent his son. The last thing Zander wants is to move from Harlem to Seattle.

THE CRUISERS is book #1 in a new series by Walter Dean Myers. At less than 130 pages, it is written in a unique blend of narrative combined with articles and writing assignments from students at DaVinci Academy. Readers will get a taste of Harlem life along with the familiar classroom subject of the Civil War. If they develop a connection with the characters, they'll want to keep an eye out for book #2, KING'S GAMBIT. show less

The Cruisers are four friends at the Da Vinci School, a school for gifted students in Harlem. None of them are living up to their potential and their principal gives them one last chance to prove themselves. The school is participating in a Civil War reenactment, dividing up the students between the Union and Confederate factions. The Cruisers are charged with negotiating peace between the two groups. But when words start to fly, things get way more complicated than any of them could have imagined and the entire school will get a lesson on what it means to be racist.

What I liked: Smart characters of color dealing with tough issues in a nonviolent way. The book's aimed at a middle-grade audience, unlike Mr. Myers's previous books that show more have been edgy YA. It's the first in a series and I think kids will dig it.

What I didn't like so much: I'm a character girl and I just never felt like I got to know the Cruisers that much and I didn't connect with the characters. We do get some personal background on some of them, particularly Zander who narrates the book. But it's the kind of book that just plunges you into the thick of things. Some people dig it. For me, it's not my thing - I like a little more background.

http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2010/06/48-hbc-cruisers.html show less

This is not a masterpiece like Fallen Angels or Monster, but Myers's gifts as a master storyteller are evident in this first entry of a proposed four-book series.