Rite of Passage
Publication Information
Author:  Wright, Richard	Illustrator:
Title:  Rite of Passage	Date:  1994
Publisher:  HarperCollins	City:  New York, NY
ISBN, paperback:  0-06-023419-9	ISBN, hardback:
Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes	ESOL:
Family:	Young Adult:   Yes
Picture:
General Information:
Book Type(s):    fiction
HSE Descriptor(s):    language arts - reading
Summary:
The book is set in Harlem in the late 1940s. Protagonist Johnny Gibbs, 15, is a model child and student until he learns that he is a foster child who must go to live with another family. Johnny feels betrayed and reacts by running away. What follows pushes Johnny out of childhood innocence and causes him to realize that the world is a hostile and sometimes violent place.
Teaching Ideas:
Teachers should be aware that there's some violence in this book. The novel would be a good introduction to Wright's work; the Afterword sets this story into the larger context of Wright's literary contributions. The protagonist (Johnny) would make a good subject for character study; learners might consider how and why he changed, for example, as well as which of his personality traits stayed constant throughout the story. "Then and Now" discussions or writing could center on urban social problems or the role of women. Other discussion/writing topics include social agencies, foster care, decision-making, effects of rash decisions, young people, and crime.
Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > individual > coming-of-age Geography > locations > U.S. states/regions > New York > Harlem Hardships > survival Social Studies > sociology > social issues > crime Social Studies > sociology > social issues > gangs Social Studies > sociology > social issues > violence Communities > urban > urban living Family > children > foster children

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