If I Grow Up By Todd Strasser

‘¨You never see a person from the projects getting out with smarts.¨’ lightbulb said to Deshawn. This quote is from If I Grow Up by Todd Strasser relates to the real world because it's often a struggle to see someone famous coming from poverty using academic success. This book is a interesting read because it explains a story about a boy who is growing up in the projects, who is trying to get himself and his family out of the projects with his smarts. But after a family death and his friends who is joining a local gang, life for Deshawn is getting harder and harder. In the novel If I Grow Up by Todd Strasser is a compelling read due to realistic/relatable characters, well developed character, but this story also has a confusing point of view.
This book portrays a group of kids trying to get somewhere and coming up from the projects especially the main character Deshawn. In the book a character named Marcus said’ ¨You need to work you way up in life down here¨’(Strasser 98). This can be a relatable for many kids coming from such a low income household trying to live their dreams because all they can do is work hard and go up in life. Kids from low income households are sometimes known as hard workers trying to make a living with something they love to do rather that's sports or singing or something they are passionate about. Deshawn is trying to get out with his smarts but many people try to bring him down,but he's dedicated to work hard with his smarts and get somewhere in life, in the text Deshawn's friend Terrell said, ‘¨We all heard about the rich rappers and athletes who came from the projects but not using smarts¨’(Strasser 27) . This can also relate to kids because if kids want to get somewhere in life with them being smart and kids let them down calling them nerds,this book can be really relatable with these kids and their dreams. Also it shows you shouldn't give up in life no matter what and work hard. Showing no matter what you can get high in life with something love to