Riot by Walter Dean Myers

Riot by Walter Dean Myers

This week, as part of the Character Counts activity in homebase, LMS students vented about things they feel are unfair, identified what fairness means and discussed how being treated unfairly affects people.

Would you say a draft is fair? Would you say that it is fair for people to pay their way to avoid a draft? During the Civil War, a draft was instituted. However, a provision was included in the design of the draft which allowed men to pay $300 to avoid serving in the military. Many Irish immigrants could not afford to pay this money, and therefore would be required to serve. The Irish did not think this was fair. Riots broke out as Irish and black people attacked, and the public looted stores.

The main character of "Riot" is Claire. Claire is half-Irish (from her mom’s side) and half-black (from her dad’s side). As the riots progress, Claire struggles with her identity and the violence that surrounds her. While the majority of the book is serious, there are a few instances of comedic value. For example, as Claire tells another character of her background:

Claire: I’m…I’m only half Irish.
Maeve: And what’s the other half?
Claire: My father’s black.
Maeve: No!
Claire: Yes!
Maeve: No!
Claire: Yes!
Maeve: Does your mother know?



Warning and Hints:
This book is written in a play format. At the beginning of the book, you will find a list of characters. Before you begin reading, briefly review the list. You will probably need to reference the list as you read, and meet more and more characters. The beneficial part of having a variety of characters is that you will experience the riots from various view points.

Also, as you read, pay special attention to the stage directions. Don’t simply pass over them. Instead, try to visualize what might be happening on stage. If you skip this part, you will miss important parts of the story.

While historical fiction helps you, the reader, learn about life in a certain time period, it is helpful to know a bit about the setting before beginning the book. At the end of the book, Myers provides a timeline and an author’s note (includes historical information). I suggest that you read this part before beginning the book, especially if your brain is foggy when it comes to US History 

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Learn more about Walter Dean Myers at his web site: http://www.walterdeanmyers.net/