Reviewed by: Austin (Class of 2013)

In the book "Response" it shows the racism that exists between blacks and whites. Noah, the main character gets brutalized with a bat and he dosent deserve it and didn't do anything major that made it happen. There were some racist people that seaw him and decided to jump him. The book is just basically about Noah and his life.

If I read this, then you should read it too! ( )

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

Noah has grown up in East Franklin, a predominately black area. One night when he and two friends decide to head on over to nearby Hillsboro (about 95% white) to boost a car, life changes dramatically.

The three friends never get to commit their intended crime because they run into three white teens bent on keeping their neighborhood free of blacks. The white boys verbally abuse and threaten Noah and his friends, and it's when they begin to chase them that things take a turn. Noah trips and falls. An angry youth nicknamed Scat swings a baseball bat and fractures Noah's skull.

The quick response of paramedics and the quality treatment at the Hillsboro hospital work together to save young Noah. He's plagued with headaches and will live with a metal plate stitched into his head, but he will live to finish high school and be around to be a father for his baby daughter.

When it was determined that the three Hillsboro teens had no way of knowing Noah and his friends were there to steal a car, arrests were made and the three were charged with a hate crime. The actual attack was horrific, but now Noah and his family must live through the stressful experience of a trial. They learn the hard way about harassment and plea bargains as they attend countless meetings with county provided attorneys.

Paul Volponi brings headline material to life in RESPONSE. He portrays a black family working together to educate their son and help him and his teenage girlfriend raise their own child. In Noah, readers will meet a frightened yet determined young man learning how to make his way in a not-so-friendly world. ( )

I was not sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I read the dust jacket and looked at the length of the book and wondered whether I would be reading something somewhat superficial or so formulaic and all tied up nice and neat that it would be a waste of my time.

I had no idea that Mr. Volponi could indeed do justice to his story. This is a story that probably has happened all too often, a story that has gone both ways. It is one that can make the reader feel frustrated and angry. I can fully understand the feelings of Noah and his family.

Nothing is black and white (pardon the pun) and as simple as we would like to believe. Noah, has his own perspective on race relations as does his family. It is hard for him and his family as they try to get along in these two warring neighborhoods.

Noah is works at McDonalds, but he needs more money to be able to give his girlfriend for their little girl. It is with this in mind that he goes along with his friends when they try to steal a car. They are thwarted in their efforts and are running away from the white neighborhood they are in, when they are spotted by three white boys who give chase. Epithets are hurled. Noah trips and gets caught, the beating he endures (especially with an aluminium baseball bat) almost cost him his life.

The time during his recovery and when the trial takes place, the author explores the attitudes and feelings of the people involved, the parents and the community. It was realistic and made me wish things were otherwise.

Noah's parents and grandmother are doing the best they can to instill good values in Noah. It is interesting to see how Noah matures as his awareness grows and thinks about what his grandmother and his social studies teacher have tried to teach him. He also grows as a father and as a possible husband to his girlfriend. There are no easy answers or an easier way to live one's life. I like what he says at the sentencing, "Right now, I'm a son and a father, and one day I hope to look at myself as a man." He knows how hard it will be but Noah knows he is going to work hard at fulfilling his dream.

I can't say that I enjoyed this novel, not the way I would enjoy one of the other books I might read but I certainly am motivated to read more of Paul Volponi's books. He is an excellent author. He knows teens well and writes knowledgeably about their circumstances. ( )