Zander and his friends start their own newspaper, "The Cruiser." When the school launches a mock Civil War, Zander and his friends are forced to co...
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reviews
Jan 04, 2012
Laura
rated it: 
The novel is set in and around a magnet school for the gifted and talented in Harlem. The main character and his friends make up a group that have concluded that their middle-school grades will be of no consequence later in life (so long as they pass) and are content to “cruise” by with C’s. Their lackluster academic performance and some other antics have them on probation, and they have been told that in order to stay in school, they will need to negotiate a truce between the Union and the Conf
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Jun 01, 2011
Josiah
rated it: 
"If I'm going to have a fight I got to see the win in it so I'll know what I'm fighting for."
—Zander, The Cruisers, P. 32
With this book, Walter Dean Myers has launched a new series that I think holds a lot of promise. Zander Scott and his three friends Kambui, LaShonda and Bobbi are students in eighth grade at the Da Vinci Academy for the Gifted and Talented, in Harlem, New York. When the school's principal calls Zander and his three friends (collectively k More...
—Zander, The Cruisers, P. 32
With this book, Walter Dean Myers has launched a new series that I think holds a lot of promise. Zander Scott and his three friends Kambui, LaShonda and Bobbi are students in eighth grade at the Da Vinci Academy for the Gifted and Talented, in Harlem, New York. When the school's principal calls Zander and his three friends (collectively k More...
Feb 13, 2011
Karen
rated it: 
At the Da Vinci Academy for the Gifted and Talented in Harlem, the 8th grade is going to study the Civil War in a very unusual way. The whole class has been divided into Union and Confederate sides, and they are itching to go to war. Zander, Bobbi, Kambui and LaShonda are the Cruisers, who believe that grades aren't everything and life ought to be enjoyed more... which gets them into trouble with the assistant principal after they publish an article in their alternative school paper. Their co
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Jan 29, 2011
Kerri
rated it:
I wish I had a category for "books based on historical events that make you think about current events and would be good simply for teaching the thoughts that come up" but I don't. I really don't think a typical kid would be very interested in this book, but from a teacher's perspective, I am really excited about it.
The events of the Civil War and all the reasons behind it are mirrored in the actions of the teenagers in the book. The power of words and the fact that you More...
The events of the Civil War and all the reasons behind it are mirrored in the actions of the teenagers in the book. The power of words and the fact that you More...
Jan 07, 2011
Linda
rated it:
Zander Scott and his friends, Kambui, LaShonda and Bobbi are students at the DaVinci Academy for the Gifted and Talented in Harlem. Unfortunately, their grades are slipping and Mr. Culpepper, the assistant principal, is just waiting for the opportunity to kick them out of the school. Part of the problem is their alternative newspaper, The Cruiser, which allows them to present their own unique point of view to the rest of the students. They are given one last chance to stay. The school has begun
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Jun 30, 2010
Joshua
rated it:
3 and a half stars to be more precise but I rounded up. Too many middle school students do not know anything about the Civil War. Myers takes a novel approach (literally) to this problem by crafting what amounts to a new civil war with fresh, interesting, if occasionally flat (I'm looking at you mom and AP) characters...
Three issues:
1. Perfect list type book except there was one biological term for male anatomy, and we all know how that goes...
2. Despite the C More...
Three issues:
1. Perfect list type book except there was one biological term for male anatomy, and we all know how that goes...
2. Despite the C More...
Apr 03, 2011
Natalee
rated it:
Walter Dean Myers is an amazing author. I was intrigued by the cover and by the premise of this story. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. I had a hard time really getting into the story and it felt shallow. The topics that were being delt with were not shallow (racism and broken families). As the main character observes, these are complex issues, but I felt that Mr. Myers didn't go as deep into it as he could of, or as middle school readers can and want to. I'm constantly impressed by
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Dec 02, 2011
Erin
rated it: 
The Cruisers
by Walter Dean Myers
I hate to say it, but I wish I had “cruised” right on past this slim little novel. The DaVinci school for gifted and talented students is in the midst of a Civil War assignment where a group of African-American students (The Cruisers) are charged with using the school newspaper to illustrate the types of things that were said and that some people believed during the Civil War. By doing this, the principals of the school hope to get the kids more in to More...
by Walter Dean Myers
I hate to say it, but I wish I had “cruised” right on past this slim little novel. The DaVinci school for gifted and talented students is in the midst of a Civil War assignment where a group of African-American students (The Cruisers) are charged with using the school newspaper to illustrate the types of things that were said and that some people believed during the Civil War. By doing this, the principals of the school hope to get the kids more in to More...
Sep 06, 2010
Dawn
rated it:
I like Myers because he tackles some interesting ideas for young adults. The Cruisers are four members of an alternative school newspaper (vs. the asst.-principal sanctioned "normal" school newspaper). They are tasked with the very difficult job of "peacekeepers" of the Civil War. They come up against the Sons of the Confederacy, a group of kids who seem to enjoy stirring up racial conflict. The topic of free speech, and the power of the mind over the power of the fists, are
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Sep 09, 2010
Destinee
rated it:
This is a book about a school assignment. Sounds boring, right? Well, I think it managed to be as interesting as a book about a school assignment can be. See, there are these 8th graders: Zander, Kambui, Bobbi and LaShonda, collectively known as "The Cruisers" after an alternative school newspaper they produce. The Cruisers, all of them smart but unmotivated when it comes to school, are assigned to play the role of peacekeepers in a kind of mock Civil War going on at their school. The
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Mar 23, 2011
Nick
rated it:
While not perfect, this is an excellent book in its ability to portray the start-point of an uncomfortable discussion. Told from the viewpoint of a middle schooler, it addresses racism, history, cultural viewpoints and other topics in a way that is believable for the setting.
Several critics have suggested that the 8th graders in the story are too smart to be believable. I didn't have that problem, given that they are in a Gifted & Talented program, more intelligent and articulate than an a More...
Several critics have suggested that the 8th graders in the story are too smart to be believable. I didn't have that problem, given that they are in a Gifted & Talented program, more intelligent and articulate than an a More...
Aug 26, 2010
Sps
rated it:
A book about contemporary, academically gifted African-American kids that doesn’t back down from talking about being contemporary, academically gifted African-American kids in a mostly white school environment. And it’s for tweens. And it’s funny. Rara avis indeed.
This is actually the first of a series about four friends, the Cruisers, who are a mix of genders, ethnicities, interests, and ambitions. This little book is a breeze to get through but it clocks in at just over 100 pages, More...
This is actually the first of a series about four friends, the Cruisers, who are a mix of genders, ethnicities, interests, and ambitions. This little book is a breeze to get through but it clocks in at just over 100 pages, More...
Mar 08, 2011
Victoria
rated it:
So, I know Myers is trying to appeal to a middle school audience, but I just don't see how this will do it. The book follows a group of intellectually gifted children who write a newspaper for their school. The students and their classmates are working on a unit on the Civil War, and as the Cruisers are racial minorities in their school, things are said and done that hit some nerves. Unfortunately, more focus is put on the issues leading to the War, and so it reads like a history lesson. The
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Sep 09, 2011
April
rated it:
Zander is in 8th grade and enrolled in a special academic school for gifted kids. LaShonda, Bobbi, Kambui and Zander are all unique and
may not be living up to their potential, therefore cruising through school. Their assistant principal has challenged the group to mediate or be the peacemakers during the civil war debate/exercise the school is currently involved. That becomes a real challenge and makes the young men and women personally evaluate, and in some instances experience, each i More...
may not be living up to their potential, therefore cruising through school. Their assistant principal has challenged the group to mediate or be the peacemakers during the civil war debate/exercise the school is currently involved. That becomes a real challenge and makes the young men and women personally evaluate, and in some instances experience, each i More...
Jan 31, 2011
Ryan
rated it:
Another one for which 1/2 a start would be useful. It was a bit more than "ok" but not quite "I liked it". Certainly, it should be part of a school library and recommended to young adults. It is a short book, but one of a series about this group of kids - the "Cruisers" - so I didn't get any sense of knowing them enough to care about them. Zander has potential - interested in the normal things of the age, enjoys his unusual appearance, and aware enough to know there
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Apr 10, 2011
Carmelo
rated it:
The Cruisers are four friends at the Da Vinci School, a school for students in Harlem. None of them are striving to what they do best, and their principal gives them one last chance to prove themselves. The school is participating in a Civil War reenactment, dividing up the students between the Union and Confederate factions. The Cruisers are charged with negotiating peace between the two groups. But when negativity in words start to been call out, things get way more complicated and the entire
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Jul 05, 2010
Abby
rated it:
The Cruisers are four friends at the Da Vinci School, a school for gifted students in Harlem. None of them are living up to their potential and their principal gives them one last chance to prove themselves. The school is participating in a Civil War reenactment, dividing up the students between the Union and Confederate factions. The Cruisers are charged with negotiating peace between the two groups. But when words start to fly, things get way more complicated than any of them could have imagin
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Mar 04, 2011
Pandora
rated it:
The sitution of a school dividing the students into the North and South is a bit far-fatched. However what the book says is worth reading. Zander has got to find a way to cool down tempers when a group called the Sons of the Confederency print a pro Southern editorial in the school paper. Zander comes up with a soild peaceful way to force the Sons of the Confederency to realize the hurt they have cause and everyone learns a powerful lesson that with Freedom of Speech comes responsibility. My
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Sep 12, 2011
Ubalstecha
rated it:
Zander Scott lives an interesting life. Estranged from his father, his mother is an actress and model trying to raise him up right in New York. He is a scholarship student at an exclusive private school where he hangs with a bunch of misfits and trouble makers, the Cruisers. When their latest joke falls flat, the Principal hatches the idea that the Cruisers will act as peacemakers during the school wide simulation of the Civil War. But can Zander and his buddies find a non-violent solution t
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Feb 10, 2011
Dawn
rated it: 
I adore Walter Dean Myers. This is the only book I've ever come across that explains race relations to teenagers. (I think people of all ages should read it, especially television "journalists" and public servants.)
I read this book with a freshman I'm tutoring. It was definitely easy reading for the student, and we both enjoyed it. Also, I think the subject matter really put into context the history and legacy of the civil rights movement. That era seems so far away to the More...
I read this book with a freshman I'm tutoring. It was definitely easy reading for the student, and we both enjoyed it. Also, I think the subject matter really put into context the history and legacy of the civil rights movement. That era seems so far away to the More...
Dec 13, 2011
Kelsey
rated it:
I have to say this is not one of my favorite books. The basis was pretty great, but the characters all lacked depth. Zander and his "Cruisers" (The name of Zander and his friends alternative school paper) get in some pretty hot water because of all the pranks they pull and are forced to become mollifiers in an upcoming unit on the Civil War where the students will be spilt into North or South sympathizers. In the end Myers' does bring up several good points concerning racial issues an
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Oct 11, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
I almost gave this book two stars, but the end got better and I understood the message it was trying to pass on. I found the characters interesting, though at times a bit confusing. Zander was my favorite because of all the changes he tries to make. When his friends want to fight, he goes against them to try to keep the peace in the project they're supposed to work on.
As a first book in the series, the characters need some more development, but I feel like readers will see that as t More...
As a first book in the series, the characters need some more development, but I feel like readers will see that as t More...
Oct 08, 2011
Taliah
rated it:
Zander and his friends, Kambui, LaShonda, and Bobbi attend Da Vinci Academy for the Gifted and Talented school, one of the best schools in Harlem. Zander and crew know their intelligence, but don't feel a need to prove it. Needless to say, their grades are not top-notch and they are in trouble. As a last resort, to show their interest in staying at the school, the group AKA The Cruisers are given the assignment to serve as the peacekeepers during a unit on the Civil War. Other students are s
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Feb 14, 2011
I am still mulling this one over, and would like to get some students' thoughts on it. I was very pleased that Mr. Myers had written a book that was accessible to 5th and 6th graders, since most of the books of his I had read were for older kids.
And yet, I can't give this an enthusiastic endorsement. There were parts of this book I did really like, especially at the end when Zander talks about needing to own what you say, own what you do. But the characters are juggling so much, in More...
And yet, I can't give this an enthusiastic endorsement. There were parts of this book I did really like, especially at the end when Zander talks about needing to own what you say, own what you do. But the characters are juggling so much, in More...
Jan 13, 2011
Andy
rated it:
While it is nice to see Walter Dean Myers writing for young readers about significant issues, this particular book (the first in a new series) was forgettable. Eighth-graders at a gifted school in Harlem are learning about the American civil war. In a mock re-enactment the students are divided into Union and Confederate sympathizers, with “The Cruisers” assigned to keep the peace. Unfortunately the characters lacked any development. While the peacekeepers bonded over their failing grades and
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Nov 01, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
The Cruisers are four kids who start their own alternative newspaper at the Gifted and Talented school they attend in Harlem. When they get in trouble with the vice principal, he declares that if they can prevent the Civil War in the school's reenactment, they can stay at their school.
Okay, so it was definitely refreshing to see a book about black kids in Harlem that were smart and funny and had their acts together, instead of gangsters and wannabes. However, this book came across as More...
Okay, so it was definitely refreshing to see a book about black kids in Harlem that were smart and funny and had their acts together, instead of gangsters and wannabes. However, this book came across as More...
Mar 30, 2011
Alexa
rated it:
Loved the premise, loved the chapter headings, loved the school newspaper articles/journal entries/poems written by The Cruisers in the book. The book is supposed to be about the school splitting up into the North and South to learn about the Civil War. But somehow, it gets convoluted. Not sure about the next book about the Cruisers. It makes me sad, because I think the characters are great and would like to really learn about them. I'm not reading any more Walter Dean Myers until I read Mo
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Sep 29, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
DaVinci Academy in Harlem is focused on gifted and talented learners. Unfortunately, Zander Scott and a few of his friends are not making the grade. They haven't been performing up to their potential lately, and the principal is about to make an example of their lax study habits by kicking them out. The four friends must find a way to prove themselves.
They are given the opportunity when the school b More...
DaVinci Academy in Harlem is focused on gifted and talented learners. Unfortunately, Zander Scott and a few of his friends are not making the grade. They haven't been performing up to their potential lately, and the principal is about to make an example of their lax study habits by kicking them out. The four friends must find a way to prove themselves.
They are given the opportunity when the school b More...
Sep 11, 2011
Tanja
rated it:
As a school starts a unit on the civil war, students split up into two opposing fractions and it is up to a group of friends to negotiate a peace between the fractions. I was really excited about this book and thought that this would become the perfect read-aloud for one of our units of inquiry ("People & Power"). After reading the entire book I don't think it will get students too excited. It's a good read but not necessarily one that will hold the attention of less engaged students.
Jun 02, 2011
Amy
rated it:
This was a great quick read that I think could be very useful in history classes studying the American Civil War.
The characters are not quite as deep as Myers usually makes them, but you can get to know them enough to sympathize with them. I was suprised by the brevity of this novel, as I feel that the subject matter (Civil war, slavery, and racism today) could be more deeply explored.
I'm going to share it with my teachers in the hopes that they will use it.
The characters are not quite as deep as Myers usually makes them, but you can get to know them enough to sympathize with them. I was suprised by the brevity of this novel, as I feel that the subject matter (Civil war, slavery, and racism today) could be more deeply explored.
I'm going to share it with my teachers in the hopes that they will use it.
