Character Analysis: If I Grow Up

Have you ever read the book If I Grow Up? In the novel If I Grow Up by Todd Strasser the main Character DeShawn wanted to stay out of trouble and get an education. But, DeShawn goes through a rough time with money and food. So, he realizes that he has to make a choice to join the Disciples or to keep getting an education. DeShawn then chooses to join the disciples. DeShawn had a choice to join the Disciples or better his life. DeShawn could have got a job, he could have left the projects, and he could have kept his education. Others may argue that, DeShawn didn’t have a choice to better his life. Some only say this because on page 135-136 the author wrote, “People in this country were supposed to have choices. Wasn’t that what America was about? Freedom to choose? But when you grew up in the projects there were no choices. No good ones at least.” That is true however but, DeShawn had a choice because he could have got a job, he could have left the projects and started a better life somewhere else, and he could have stuck out his education.
DeShawn could’ve went out and found a job just like lightbulb, his friend, did. On page 150 the author wrote, “ Guess you could always get a job at King Chicken Terrell chuckled.” This proves that DeShawn could’ve made the choice to go get a job. DeShawn choose not to get a job because on page 150 it says, “ I hated seeing someone so smart working such a lousy job.” He hated seeing lightbulb work when he knew that light bulb should stick out his education because he is very