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Tyrone's Betrayal
Gloria Velasquez
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Overview
"Not again," Tyrone thinks as loud, angry voices wake him up in the middle of the night. Looking down at his parents from the stairway, Tyrone can tell that his father has had too much to drink. Drinking and fighting are nothing new, but this time, Tyrone's dad leaves and doesn't come back. As the weeks pass and they don't hear from him, Tyrone's anger at his father's desertion finds an outlet through violent eruptions at school.Life at home is no better as his mother begins working a night job to pay the bills. She expects Tyrone, the eldest, to be the "man of the house," a responsibility Tyrone doesn't want. Instead of taking care of his younger siblings he starts partying with older kids, skipping school, and sneaking home in the early morning hours. But when his younger brother is caught stealing candy at the corner store, Tyrone realizes that he will have to take on the responsibility whether he wants to or not.Settling in to his new role as the head of the household, Tyrone is furious when he learns that his father wants to come home. He just doesn't understand how his mother can forgive his father so easily. And how can she believe his promises to change and quit drinking? With the help of his friends and counselor Dr. Martínez, Tyrone begins to deal with his feelings of anger and betrayal as the son of an alcoholic, absentee father. But will he ever accomplish his dreams of going to college and becoming an engineer?Tyrone's Betrayal is the seventh novel in Gloria Velasquez's popular Roosevelt High School series, which features a multiracial group of teenaged students who must individually confront social and cultural issues (such as violence, sexuality, and prejudice) that young adults face today. SELLING HANDLES:· An engaging novel for young adults published as part of the Roosevelt High School Series
· Deals with the problem of absentee fathers as well as issues such as individual responsibility and alcohol abuse.
Synopsis
"Not again," Tyrone thinks as loud, angry voices wake him up in the middle of the night. Looking down at his parents from the stairway, Tyrone can tell that his father has had too much to drink. Drinking and fighting are nothing new, but this time, Tyrone's dad leaves and doesn't come back. As the weeks pass and they don't hear from him, Tyrone's anger at his father's desertion finds an outlet through violent eruptions at school.
Life at home is no better as his mother begins working a night job to pay the bills. She expects Tyrone, the eldest, to be the "man of the house," a responsibility Tyrone doesn't want. Instead of taking care of his younger siblings he starts partying with older kids, skipping school, and sneaking home in the early morning hours. But when his younger brother is caught stealing candy at the corner store, Tyrone realizes that he will have to take on the responsibility whether he wants to or not. Settling in to his new role as the head of the household, Tyrone is furious when he learns that his father wants to come home. He just doesn't understand how his mother can forgive his father so easily. And how can she believe his promises to change and quit drinking? With the help of his friends and counselor Dr. Martínez, Tyrone begins to deal with his feelings of anger and betrayal as the son of an alcoholic, absentee father. But will he ever accomplish his dreams of going to college and becoming an engineer? Tyrone's Betrayal is the seventh novel in Gloria Velasquez's popular Roosevelt High School series, which features a multiracial group of teenaged students who must individually confront social and cultural issues (such as violence, sexuality, and prejudice) that young adults face today. SELLING HANDLES:An engaging novel for young adults published as part of the Roosevelt High School Series
Deals with the problem of absentee fathers as well as issues such as individual responsibility and alcohol abuse.
VOYA
"...the characters and situations are true to life... This book would be an excellent choice for classroom discussions and for reading groups."
Editorials
Booklist
"...the author does a nice job of giving readers a window into the culture and providing some positive role models."VOYA
"...the characters and situations are true to life... This book would be an excellent choice for classroom discussions and for reading groups."VOYA -
When Tyrone's father, a habitual drinker, abandons his family after an angry argument with his wife, the young man feels deeply betrayed and bitter toward his father. Although a senior at Roosevelt High and formerly a model student, Tyrone allows his resentment and frustration to spill over into outbursts of temper at school, and much to his mother's distress, he soon quits school and gets a job to help support his family. Enter Dr. Sandra Martinez, a local counselor who had casually met Tyrone through his Chicano girlfriend, Maya. At her concerned urging, Tyrone reluctantly agrees to meet with the coordinator of the newly opened Teen Resource Center, a man who has had great success helping at-risk African American and Chicano youths. Skeptical at first, Tyrone is later so well impressed with this man's good work that he begins to attend the Center and then returns to school. He even changes his intended college major from engineering to social work to help other teens. Eventually and despite Tyrone's clear opposition, his now contrite father returns home, eager to make amends to his family by attending AA meetings regularly. Gradually Tyrone's attitude also changes, and the teenager realizes how much he really loves and has missed his dad. In this Roosevelt High School series entry, Velasquez's easy writing style and true-to-life language will capture teens' attention. The credible characters along with the well-developed if somewhat simplistic plot also make for entertaining and inspiring reading. The glossary helps with the many Spanish phrases and idioms used throughout. This award-winning writer's highly acclaimed series provides not only positive role models but also constructiveideas for resolving social and cultural issues often facing multiracial teens.Children's Literature -
Tyrone's father is an alcoholic who makes Momma cry, and eventually walks out on his family. From there, Tyrone's life takes a downward spiral. With his father gone, Tyrone quits school and gets a full-time job to help support his family, giving up his dreams of college. He also begins to hang out with the wrong crowd. With the help of friends and fault-riddled psychologist, can he manage to find his way back to his true path? Sensationally written, the novel deals with many sensitive issues, such as alcoholism, drug abuse, homosexuality, stereotyping, and alternatives to the "normal" family. The characters are extremely believable and likeable. This book, as well as the other is the "Roosevelt High School" series, offers students a view of other cultures and lifestyles, as well as avenues to cope with real-life issues. The reader is left with much to consider about the world and how to be a better person in it.School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-In this seventh book in the series, Tyrone's parents have yet another argument, and his father leaves. Feeling betrayed, angry, and hurt, the teen now also has to be the man of the family. Not only does he resent this responsibility, but his younger brother and sister are unhappy about it as well. At first Tyrone rebels; he skips school, hangs out with the wrong people, and begins to drink. Later, however, he quits school and goes to work to help his mother pay the bills, despite her objections and those of his friends, siblings, and teachers. Dr. Sandra Mart'nez, a psychologist, counsels him and introduces him to a man who runs a program for young males. Eventually, through the support of everyone who cares about him, Tyrone, a senior, goes back to school and works through his anger, and his father returns to the family. The story is told from two points of view-Tyrone's voice rings true, but Dr. Mart'nez's is dry and didactic. Language is simple; situations are exaggerated or contrived at times, and some of the dialogue is unrealistic, given the ages of the characters. Still, this book will hold teens' attention, especially reluctant readers. Spanish words are defined in a glossary.-Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Book Details
Published
October 1, 2006
Publisher
Arte Publico Press
Pages
135
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9781558854659