What is the book Tears of a Tiger about?
Tears of a Tiger is a 1994 novel that tells the story of bad teenage decisions and the consequences that follow. The novel focuses on the main character, Andy, a high school basketball player who kills his best friend Robbie in a car accident after drinking and driving one night.
How long does it take to read Tears of a Tiger?
3 hours and 12 minutes
The average reader will spend 3 hours and 12 minutes reading this book at 250 WPM (words per minute).
What is the message of Tears of a Tiger?
Tears of a Tiger is based on teen suicidal thoughts, depression and drunk driving. The author’s purpose of writing this novel is to show what depression can lead to and how not to let others influence you to make bad decisions as there are ways to solve an issue without attempting life threatening decisions.
Why did Andy commit suicide in Tears of a Tiger?
Andy is told to keep pressing on, to act normally, as though nothing happened—just like the tiger at the zoo—but he can’t do that anymore. He knows he’ll never escape his cage (a.k.a. his guilt), so he decides to commit suicide instead. It’s the only way out of confinement that Andy can see.
What grade level is Tears of a Tiger?
Tears of a Tiger (Hazelwood High Trilogy)
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Word Count |
|---|---|---|
| Grades 9 – 12 | Grades 3 – 12 | 26282 |
Why is the book called Tears of a Tiger?
The tears in the title are symbolic of the overwhelming grief and pain present throughout the novel. Everyone at the school grieves the loss of Rob, but no one grieves as much as Andy. He feels responsible for Rob’s death, even if it was accidental, and he is unable to come to terms with it.
How does Andy feel about his relationship with Keisha?
Andy and Keisha seem to have a close, affectionate relationship, but things soon begin to get difficult after the car crash. Keisha tries to be there for Andy during his escalating depression, but his behavior gets increasingly erratic and she eventually breaks up with him.
Does Tyrone understand Andy’s suicide?
Chapter 43: Anger and Pain Tyrone is frustrated because he doesn’t understand why Andy would do this when he has friends to help them. He feels like there was a reason why Andy didn’t die in the accident and that he ruined it because he couldn’t get over his guilt.
How many pages is Tears of a Tiger?
180
It depicts the story of a seventeen-year-old African American boy named Andrew “Andy” Jackson, who feels deeply guilty for inadvertently causing his best friend Robert “Rob” Washington’s death through drunk driving….Tears of a Tiger.
| Author | Sharon Draper |
|---|---|
| Pages | 180 |
| ISBN | 978-0-689-80698-8 |
| Followed by | Forged by Fire |
What does the tiger symbolize in Tears of a Tiger?
Tigers usually symbolize strength and power. In this tragic story, the tiger represents Andy’s failed attempts at remaining strong. Tigers are powerful animals like Andy is powerful. But when tigers are locked up in cages, they lose that power.
What did BJ do after the accident?
After Andy hits the retaining wall, B.J. tries to find a way to get Rob out of the burning car but is unable to extract him. Afterwards, B.J. feels guilty that he didn’t step up and say something when he knew that Andy was driving drunk. To deal with his guilt and pain, B.J. turns to God.
What was Andy’s punishment?
Andy and the boys are questioned by the police, and Andy is given a suspended sentence. The judge knows he was drinking and driving, but the guy’s still in high school, so he doesn’t head to jail. Andy feels like the judge went too easy on him—he wishes his sentence were more severe.