Forged by Fire, 2 - (Hazelwood High Trilogy) by Sharon M Draper

The second book of Sharon M.

Draper's award-winning Hazelwood High trilogy, "Blazing Flame" is a powerful and inspiring story of a young man who rises above the tragic circumstances of his life by drawing on the love and strength of family and friends.

After being almost killed in an apartment fire while his mother went to buy drugs, Gerald was raised by his aunt.

Six years later, his mother returns with her new husband and Angel, Gerald's little sister, who needs his protection from her father's abuse.

Despite the challenges they face, Gerald finds success as a member of the Hazelwood Tigers basketball team and learns to stand up to his stepfather alone in a blazing confrontation.

With unflinchingly realistic portrayals of poverty and child abuse, Draper weaves characters and events from Tears of a Tiger into this second book of the Hazelwood High trilogy, creating believable and important heroes for teenage boys who are forged through adversity.