Justification for Teaching
Tears of a Tiger is a gripping novel that will mesmerize students with its relatable characters and honest portrayal of teenage angst and depression. Students will likely find interest in discussing the hardship and pain expressed in the novel and may even want to read the rest of the books within the trilogy on their own. Although death is a big focus of this novel, the many other themes, including parent-child relationships, responsibility, and emotional health not only provide for great literary lessons, but also serve to promote discussion about these real-life issues within a susceptible classroom of preteens or teenagers.
Draper conveys the high school tragedy through unique, epistolary techniques, interspersing letters, newspaper articles, diary entries, and homework assignments throughout the novel. As Tears of a Tiger is an epistolary novel, its inclusion in a classroom syllabus offers students a break from the traditional format of a novel and exposure to alternative forms of literary expression.
Summary
The book begins with the tragic death of a high school basketball star. His death triggers a story of grief and sadness depicted in various forms, such as through spoken conversation, journal entries, and homework assignments. The novel grasps the hearts and minds of readers as Andy, the main character, and other related characters experience the pain, guilt, and consequences of a drunk-driving accident.