Literary Critique of “Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago”

Literary Critique of “Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago” by LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman with David Isay

Although not a feel-good story, this is a powerful poignant story of two boys living on the south side of Chicago in a public housing project called Ida B. Wells. The story begins when a radio reporter gives the boys a recorder and the boys set off to find the story behind the death of a five-year old who was dropped to his death from the 15th story of a building by two other young boys. The story quickly becomes more than the story of one boy’s death and becomes instead the story of the survival of LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman. Although the book is very factual in its examination of the death of a young boy, it is also a story about poverty in America. This book is a must read for anyone interested in youth and poverty and it provides a great opportunity for young people to explore the topic as well.

By Cathy Sheafor