An Analysis Of Todd Strasser's If I Grow Up

Did you know that the average education costs about $10,000 a year, it triples that cost to hold them in prison for a year. The book, “If I Grow Up”, by Todd Strasser is about a boy growing up poor and doing what you have to, to stay alive. Although others may say that DeShawn’s life was over before it started because there were very few choices that he could benefit from such as staying in school but being broke. DeShawn had a choice on how he lived his life but he chose to live the "Hood Dream". First of all nobody made DeShawn quit school he could of stayed if he wanted too. Second, although DeShawn was extremely low on money he could have gotten a job like Raydale did. DeShawn wasn't all alone Marcus would have been willing to help DeShawn

if he would have asked.
First, DeShawn was too proud to ask for help even though he needed help.

DeShawn felt like he was all alone but the person he hardly asked for help would have helped him the most. Marcus was willing to help DeShawn, even with little things so he probably would have tried to help DeShawn like on page 81”my girl wants to go so bad that she will even pay for me” Marcus said “No way” he reached into his pocket and pulled out bills. When Marcus wanted DeShawn in the gang on page 99 Marcus blessed DeShawn into the Disciples without the beating everyone else had to take.

Second, Although DeShawn had no money he could have gotten a job at King Chicken, the place that Lightbulb got fired from. Even though it was an undesirable job it gave him money and he could of worked after school. On page 150 Terrell even suggested If you need money you could always work at King Chicken for money".

Third, Deshawn had a choice to stay in school. Deshawn was in the top of his class so he wasn't a person that would logically quit school like the kids towards the bottom of the class. On page 89 Ms.Brand says" well you are certainly one of the better students especially among the boys" then DeShawn brings up that "Mr.Brown said that I was reading at grade level" Deshawn said proudly. Another reason that DeShawn had a choice was that he told himself to think that school was just useless facts that didn’t trace back to life after childhood like it says on page 141 “More and more I can't piece together

what they were teaching us in school”.
The statement that people could go to school for less than going to prison raises a question that does the government honestly care if they would rather lock us up rather than making us smarter and help people become better individuals. First, DeShawn was too proud to ask for help even though he needed help. Second, Although DeShawn had no money he could have gotten a job. Third, Deshawn had a choice to stay in school Deshawn was in the top of his class so he wasn't a person that would logically quit school like the kids towards the bottom of the class. So weigh this question, does our government really care for all americans or is it something they say so they don't feel bad for leaving innocent families in the dark.