Pub Date: October 27, 2010
Price: $16.95
Jacketed Hard Cover
ISBN: 978-1-934813-43-0
Page Count: 310
Ages 14+
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Pull
by B.A. Binns
Chicago High school senior David Albacore is dealing with major upheaval after his father murders his mom. David blames himself for not saving her that night; after being injured in a basketball game, he was given strong painkillers and slept through the shooting. In the terrible aftermath, he changes his name and moves to a tough new inner city Chicago high school when he and his sisters Barney and Linda move in with their aunt. Barney, who found their mom’s body, is barely able to cope. With their mother gone and their father in jail, David tries his best to take care of his sisters. When he’s forced to join the basketball team or be expelled after getting in too many fights, it cuts into the after-school construction job that he takes to help support his family. Then David begins falling for Yolanda, the hottest girl in school—who is also Malik’s, the school player and bully’s girlfriend. They flirt and spar, but going after this fashion-loving Mighty Mite spells big trouble for David. As he ponders trying for a basketball scholarship or keeping the construction job he loves, Aunt Edie’s stroke eliminates most of David’s options. He can keep his family together by working full time, or follow his mom’s dream of college, which would send Barney into foster care. Teen readers will hold their breath as David weighs his options about the kind of life he wants to live.
Praise for Pull:
“Tautly written, gripping and realistic, the strength of this story comes from the author’s refusal to take shortcuts or make up a traditional happy ending, but to let a true story twist, turn, and play out to its realistic, unromanticized, satisfying conclusion.”
—Tanita S.Davis, Coretta Scott King Award-winning
author of Mare’s War
“...this compelling story gives authentic voice to the social politics of teens, the long-term consequences of domestic violence, and a maturing teen’s need to differentiate the expectations he has of himself from those even the adults he respects have of him….offers much to engage both male and female readers, readers of color, and teachers as well as students.”
—Booklist
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