The Battle of Jericho

Jericho #1

by Sharon M. Draper

Sixteen-year-old Jericho is awaiting initiation to the Warriors of Distinction, the oldest and most exclusive club in school—but how high a price will he have to pay to belong? Find out in this first novel in Sharon M. Draper’s Jericho Trilogy.

When Jericho is invited to pledge for the Warriors of Distinction, he thinks his life can’t get any better. As the most exclusive club in school, the Warriors give the best parties, go out with the hottest girls, and great grades are a given. When Arielle, one of the finest girls in his class, starts coming on to him once the pledge announcements are made, Jericho is determined to do anything to become a member…

But as the initiation week becomes progressively harrowing, Jericho is forced to make choices he’s not entirely comfortable with. And one member seems to have it in for the sole female pledge in the group…a pledge who will stop at nothing to show she can handle the pressure. But when is she being pushed too far, and when should Jericho and his friends step in and risk losing their places in the pledging process? As Jericho becomes increasingly uneasy, his cousin Joshua breezes through the initiation, never thinking of the consequences, even when the fine line between fun and games, and life and death is crossed.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, African American, Teen, School

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 28, 2003

About the author

Sharon M. Draper is a professional educator as well as an accomplished writer. She has been honored as the National Teacher of the Year, is a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Literary Award, and is a New York Times bestselling author. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Reviews

[Hopharper · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of The Battle Of Jericho the pledge group had to jump from a building, not just from the first but the second story of the house! To prove that they have what it takes to be a warrior. The group was almost done with the pledging and then all of the sudden the pledge caption had pulled the gun that the pledge had found in the disgusting dumpster they had to climb in. He had pointed the gun at the last three members, Jericho, Dana, and Josh. Dana had said she wanted to get it finished with so she jumped. Then Josh and Jericho had got into a little fight about who would jump first. But in the long run Jericho had won the fight, so he had jumped the dreadful height of the old building. Jericho had made it down. Then josh had jumped and he thought he could fly and as he landed….everyone was flabbergasted….. The ending proved suspense and grief for the reader!!
I think that the fire fighter was a opinionate. He said that when they were in the pledge they only had to jump from a chair, now it’s from a 2 story building… how much it has changed! It’s so hard to get into groups these days. Glade I was in it at the time that I was and not now.
I found out that when they had to get dragged around by leaches like dogs, that was very interesting but very disturbing as well. Every time they had to do something and the pledge had switched it with something else it caught me off guard but very funny that they had tricked them. Like when they had to drink the supposing spit…but it was just a normal drink and they all had the think of that taste in their mouth, it just made laugh!
The four words that I choose for this book are, suspenseful- because when they found out that it would be awhile to see if josh would make it, when u read the book you get nervous, and anxious that he won’t make it. Meaningful- because when Dana took her shirt off it front of the pledge masters the other boys in the group all went to cover her up so she did not fell discussed in the pledge. Powerful- when you read about josh and hear what you will hear when you read it, it will be hard for you not to hold your emotions in. And finally heart breaking- when Arielle and Josh break up you would not like why! When you read it you think that they would stay together for the whole book!!

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did NOT like this book. The teenagers in here don't talk like real teenagers and they resolve minor conflicts in a page. There's too many characters, so there's not a lot of character developement, and the plot was ridiculous. It's supposed to be a serious book showing the problem with hazing but it just comes off corny.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's more important to you: being yourself or being a part of a popular or "important" group? This story weighs the risks of acting like someone you're not to make yourself feel important. The Battle of Jericho will have you on the edge of the seat and provide some unexpected twists.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon M Draper did it again. This book shows that you shouldn’t change to fit in or change to join a club. That being unique and different from everyone else is awesome. This book was amazing and another great book by Sharon M Draper

[Sleepless Dreamer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 honestly but I'll round down for the use of the word straight.

Also, teachers who think this book is good for their students, please, don't. This book is one long cringe attack. The dialogues are absolutely horrible.

[Abigail · Rating 1 out of 5]

unreadable in its inauthenticity (from what I can tell).

[Steven Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How high a price he will pay to belong”

I’m not a book lover but I found this book interesting. A book that reflects the power of peer pressure and decision making to belong.

The story develops around a teenager named Jericho and his cousin Josh who were invited to be part of popular club called “Warriors of Distinction”. The most exclusive club of the school. And with invitation Jericho gains the attention of Arielle, one of the hottest girls of his school. But when the pledge activities start, humiliating and painful decisions forces Jericho to inquire if worth to be a warrior.

Sharon Draper tells her story in detailed way which pulled me into the story. The characters are well drawn where you can compare and understand the experience their going through. Once we were teenagers and wanted to be popular. The story is unique and engaging with dialogues. In addition, you can draw your own impression of the characters. I liked Josh because he saw life in a positive way. He is always making jokes and trying to enjoy his life. It abhors themes such as possession of illegal gun, underage drinking, pranks and loyalty. It includes harsh choices such as going to the pledge activities or go to a musical competition with guaranteed scholarship that can change your life forever. Moreover, Dana tries to be the first the girl member of the club which makes the masters furious willing to create any activity to scare and change her mind.

I felt in love with the book and the characters because the story was so real and showed the things people will do to fit in. I was disappointed with the end of the story because of the tragedy that happened, however I recommend everybody to read, even parents because it informs about hazing.

[Sequoia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending hit me like a bus. I expected something bad to happen, but for sure not the death of one of the main characters of the book. I believe that the plot is very well crafted and it includes many appalling details. Throughout the book, I have wanted Jericho to tell someone the terrible things that happened in the Warriors of Distinction club, but he never did. When they finally were caught in the end, don't get me wrong, I was relieved, but I wish Jericho, as a character, would've told someone earlier! You could sense that this club had more harm than good, but no one would fess up because of the popularity it gave them. Very riveting but caused me to become frustrated at many of the characters in the book.

[Shatika Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was even better the second time around. I will never forget the lessons brought forth in this book.

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG JOSH NONONONONONONONONONONOONNONONONOON

[Toneia Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple little middle school read! I’m pretty sure I was in middle school the first time I read it and I decided to read it again to see if I’d get any nostalgic feelings lol. It’s a cute high school coming of age drama. Nothing too deep

[Doris]

I liked the story and found interest in subject of the story, hazing, but for some reason I had some difficulty reading this book. Wasn’t necessarily engaging.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a favorite ❤

[Brittani · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a normal high school teenager at Fredrick Douglass High, Jericho was asked to pledge for the schools´ biggest club. Warriors of Distinction, the club that every boy wants to be in. He thinks life couldn´t get any better. Him thinking pledging to the Warriors would make him so popular but a better chance of him getting the girl of his dreams, Arielle. Later on as he pledging, he faces challenges and makes decisions that are uncomfortable to him. Everything starts to get out of hand and something terrible happens while he´s pledging. The book is amazing and is has so much intensity. Read the book to find out what goes down in the Warriors of Distinction.

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah.... a good idea, bad writing. Below are 2 reviews - one from School Library Journal which gives an idea of the plot but doesn't explain how poorly developed the characters are or how unbelievable the dialogue is.... come on Sharon, kids just don't talk like that!.... and then another review that I agree with.

School Library Journal:
Grade 7-10-When an elite club, The Warriors of Distinction, invites Jericho and his cousin Josh to pledge, the teens look forward to wearing the black silk jacket, going to great parties, and receiving the admiring glances of the other students at their Ohio high school. Even the girl Jericho has a crush on begins to show an interest in him. The initiation process begins rather tamely with the new pledges helping with the Christmas toy drive, but as it progresses, Jericho becomes increasingly uncomfortable with what they are asked to do and the way they treat Dana, the first-ever female pledge. Adopting the group's "All of us or none of us" creed, the 15 inductees decide to continue. In an intense climax, pledging goes tragically wrong and the repercussions are felt throughout the community. Draper has captured the essence of teens caught up in peer pressure who must ultimately live with the results of their actions. Her characters are deeply human and the strong plot mirrors the difficult choices that young people must make as they try to reconcile their need for acceptance with their inner values. Mostly, though, this title is a compelling read that drives home important lessons about making choices.

A review from an Amazon reader with better taste in books than the rest:
The Battle of Jericho is exciting. Unfortunately, what began as a book with a lot of potential has a disapointing ending, poorly developed characters, and heinously bad writing.

Josh, who we are obviously supposed to like, has no depth--his only role is the main character's cousin. Arielle, as Jericho's girlfriend, is similarly undeveloped; she's nice, she's funny, she's pretty...boring. The only character I felt sympathy for was Dana, who is not all that realistic--too much of a super-heroine--but at least is more developed and interesting.

Draper doesn't pursue a lot of loose ends in the plot, either. Jericho turns down a scholarship to Julliard in favor of the Warriors of Distinction--how does that make him feel? What are the consequences? Apparently, this major life decision has none, or maybe Draper's just too lazy to tell us what they are.

Her writing is terrible; some of the dialogue literally made me wince. Her use of slang feels canned and fake; her descriptions of the characters' thoughts are similarly artificial.

Although I realized long before the end that the book did not deserve the Coretta Scott King award which it won, the one thing that kept me going was hope of a good ending. I was once again disappointed. Draper gives laughably obvious clues as to how it will turn out...they're drinking whisky, they're going to take "a leap of faith"--let's guess how this is going to end. I admit I was surprised at who the victim was, but I found that I really didn't care--Draper never did anything to make me feel sympathetic to him.

This book has a lot of potential; the plot is not terribly realistic, but it is exciting. If only it could have been rewritten and developed into something more than a good idea.

young adult, la1, for boys, peer pressure, secret societies

[Ruhama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winner of a Coretta Scott King Honor Award

Jericho’s school has a great club that all boys long to be a part of: The Warriors of Distinction. It’s been around for years (Jericho’s uncle was even a part of it), and it’s known for it’s good deeds and the closeness of the members. Every year new members are inducted into the group, and this year Jericho has been invited to join. Before they can be called Warriors, though, they must go through an initiation process, which lasts a week. At first the tasks seem harmless and only a little demeaning, but as the week progresses, the things the initiates (called Pledge Slime) are asked to do border on hazing. Jericho struggles with staying in the group—if he drops out, then all the initiates suffer. He also would lose the girl he loves, and any confidence the group would provide for him. But he does wonder about lowering himself for this, and he also has a conflict with a musical contest—should he continue with the initiation or go to the contest, where he could win a full scholarship to Julliard?

This book is gripping, and the reader finds himself/herself caught up in all the action, wondering where the plot will go. Draper skillfully takes twists and turns, carefully developing the tension to keep interest high. Her characters are likeable, and readers will sympathize with Jericho. I also liked that though the main characters in the story are African American, you weren’t blinded by their race—it could have been anyone wanting to join the Warriors. And the topic of school clubs and hazing is a good angle for a novel—pair this with The Chocolate War.

Where this book fell flat for me was in dialogue and underdeveloped plot threads. Draper wasn’t consistent with her dialects and slang, and much of the language felt forced out of the characters. A major plot line that I felt got shoved under the carpet was Jericho’s trumpet playing—it was a very big deal at the beginning of the book, but I didn’t feel the tension by the end, when he needed to make the decision about continuing with the Warriors or going to the contest. Another plot line that felt stunted and stereotypical was Kofi’s (another Pledge Slime and one of Jericho’s close friends) home life. Here is the typical teen who’s parents don’t care, but Kofi felt a little forced on the issue, and the whole thing worked out a little too neatly by the end.

Overall it’s a fast read (because you really want to know what happens), and a good topic, but it’s not the best written book.

[Toughlove · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Battle of Jericho by Sharon M. Draper. This book is about a boy named Jericho who is trying to get into this club called the Warriors of Distinctions. Jericho, His friend Kofi, ,d his cousin Josh were asked to pledge the club, and a one of his friends who is a girl, named Dana, tricked her way into the club. They all had to go through very weird and strange task to get into the club. For example, they had to be lead around the inside of the warehouse, on a dog leash; they had to choose between two jars that were filled with gummy worms and spaghetti sauce and another with real worms and spaghetti sauce. Everybody got gummy worms, but when Dana and Kofi choose, Eddie gave them the real worms on purpose. Eddie was the one, who gave Dana the hardest time. They also had to look through the dumpster, and had to find a gun. The pledge masters, made them drink, and steal. The bad time did not happen, until the last night, and they had to get drunk, and go through this old house. The last activity, was “The Leap of Faith”, they had to jump out of a two story window. When they got on to the room, Eddie was there, with the gun, and was pointing it at them. Josh was the last one to jump out, but he did not land like everybody else, he landed on his head, and was not moving. Nobody knew what to do, so they called 911. When they got their, they already knew that Josh was dead. Jericho was devastated, and he did not no what to do. He told his dad everything about that had happened, while they were at the late night pledging. This book was filled with adventure and excitement. If you were to read this book, you will not want to put it down, it will keep you interested. I loved this book, just as much as Copper Sun.

The reason that Sharon wrote this book was to inform people on the bad side to pledging. It also shows the seriousness to why you should report hazing, and listen to that little voice in the corner of your mind. What I mean by that is that all through the book, Jericho kept having second thoughts about the activities. I would recommend this book, to everybody, and especially to people who do not think that hazing is not that serious. Some people do not see the consequences that could come, from a harmless trick. Ms. Draper is a great author, and I love all of her books, that I have read, and I look forward to reading more. Her books are an inspiration for people to step back and look at what they are doing.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book I read was the battle of Jericho by Sharon M. Draper. This book is a fiction\ teen drama. The central idea of the book is when you know when the line of good and bad are crossed.
The battle of Jericho is about a sixteen year old boy named Jericho. Who is happy when he and his cousin josh get invited to be pledges for the warrior of distinction. This club is one of the oldest and most secretive clubs. Just being in this club helps Jericho get the attention of one of the most beautiful girl in school her name is Arielle. As Jericho gets closer to become a warrior of distinction the tasks that he has to do become more humiliating and makes him make painful choice. While this goes on he ponders if being in this club is worth it all.
This book is very interesting its has many good parts and is very surprising like when Jericho has to suck the toe of a pledge master u think that he will never sink himself so low just to join a club. This book is not a descriptive as I thought but it did give u a basic image of what is happening during the book. The most vivid part was when Jericho got his car at Christmas time it was a red 1994 Pontiac grand am. I could see him jumping up and down in the snow. This book was pretty direct on what they were trying to say they really didn’t beat around the bush. I can compare this book to myself because when I really want something I try really hard to get it. This book reminds me of the book tears of the tiger because of how there both about teens that is having problems in life.
If I can recommend this book to teen male boys. Because how much desire can really drive someone really far.
If you like this book u will like tears of the tiger, forged by fire, and darkness before dawn, because they are all about struggling teens

[Chantel Batchilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

i just finished reading the book called, "The Battle Of Jericho," by Sharon M. Draper. This book was about sixteeen year old Jericho Prescott. Him, his Cousin Josh Prescott and their best friend Kofi were invited to pledge for the Warriors of Distinction, the oldest and most exclusive club in school. as well as a few other boys around the school. Jericho had his eyes on one of the prettiest girls in school, Arielle. Just being a pledge wins him her attention. But nobody knows what the Warriors of Distinction is all about. It's much more than just pledging and wearing the cool black silk warriors jacket. Being a pledge meant that you had to do what ever your pledge masters told you to do or that you would do anything for you pledge brothers. Even if it meant stealing. "But as the secret initiation rites grow increasingly humilating and force Jericho to make painful choices, he starts to question whether membership in the Warriors of Distinction is worth it. How far will he have to go to wear the cool black silk Warrior's jacket? How high a price will he have to pay to belong? The answers are devasting beyond Jericho's imagination."
My opinion on this book, is that it was a well writtin book with such great details. You could almost picture yourself in the character's shoes and really imagine what the character was going through. Iwould really recommend this book to people who are into teen pear- pressure or wanting to read about stuff that goes on in a teenager's life. I personally feel that way because u could have a much more of a connection to the character's in the book.

[Katrina Burchett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jericho Prescott thinks to be a part of the Warriors of Distinction, a high school club, will somehow improve his life. The thought of wearing the black silk jacket he'll receive once he undergoes the "Bonding of the Brotherhood", being noticed by his peers, and getting the attention of a particular girl seem to be more important to him than anything.
Against his better judgment, he endures humiliation, mind games & numerous indignities to become a Warrior of Distinction. He wants to belong to the best group in the school so badly, in fact, that he gives up a chance to live his dream of studying the trumpet at Julliard, one of the world's premier performing arts schools. Sadly, it takes a tragic accident to open his eyes to the fact that everything that glitters isn't gold.
As I read what went on during the so-called Bonding of the Brotherhood (hazing, in actuality), it really bothered me. But what bothered me most was how these alarming events were taking place, and the parents of these young people had no idea what their teens were going through. This story drives home the importance of parents keeping track of their children's lives.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What? Jim's reading a book with no romance, no SF, no fantasy, not a classic, not a comedy, and aimed at the YA market? Well, I asked the librarian for her favorite book she read this year. Since she is responsible for the YA, this is what she gave me.

Jericho was never the popular kid. He's a music geek with a decent group of friends. When he's asked to pledge for a very exclusive club, his life gets much better. Suddenly he's popular ,and more importantly, with a popular girl. He and his cousin go through some hazing and things don't end well. At all.

The dust jacket has a quote from Booklist that says, "Teens will like the high-spirited, authentic dialogue (sic)..." I wonder if the person who wrote that has talked with a teen anytime recently. I found the dialog completely unrealistic. When one mid to late teen calls a couple of guys 'jokers' and it's an insult? Maybe it's throwin' in a couple a' 'don't be a hater' or 'Aren't you hangin' with your girl?' comments that must be what the kids are really saying these days.

Decent story, but still felt like it was written decades ago.

[Stephanie Batista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is based on high school kids, it shows how these group of friends grow into a bonding family after a tragic situation. These situations were based on popularity and what they were willing to do to get it. For high school now and days many students think that is very important and how their reputation seems to appear. They are willing to act differently or try things they don't like just to become part of a popular gropu or just to become someone many kids envy.
I really reccomend this book to high school kids because it shows what bad things can come out trying to be someone your not.Many kids in this generation join street gangs, hood gangs, color gangs just to try to be tough when they really don't want to do it or they are either peer pressured to. This book is somewhat like that and it shows the bad side of things, kind of like having your best friend die because os somethin stupid like this. That when they learn, and they shouldn't have to learn that way. This book can problaby get through to some students and that's why i reccomend it.

[529_Quincy Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teachers: This book has the potential to hook students from page 1. What would you do to be popular? Would you kiss someone's toes? Carry their books to class? Give them money? I can see myself creating a pre-reading interest guide which would easily generate enough momentum to get student engaged and discussing, "what if."

The book Battle of Jericho is about a young man in middle school who wants to be popular. Peer pressure, interest in a particular pretty girl and traditions force him to make very poor decisions which compromises his relationships with friends, family, and his mentor. The ending is pretty tragic and teachers should be aware of this when requiring students to read the book on their own. It provides and excellent teachable moment which may give students sufficient motivation to resist peer pressure and make better choices. There are a number of themes present within the book as well; trust, identity, family, respect, and courage to name a few.

[Michael Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jericho Prescott is is excited when he and his cousin/best friend, Joshua Prescott, are invited to pledge for the Warriors of distinction. It is the oldest, most exclusive club in the entire school. It is so old that kids' fathers, the principal, even some of the older police officers were in the club when they were in high school. Now, just being a pledge alone gets the attention of Arielle, one of the most beautiful girls in his class. Jericho has always been she talking to her.

Additionally, the initiation rites have become more and more humiliating and degrading. They, ultimately, force Jericho to make some tough choices, like missing his trumpet competition to pledge for the Warriors of Distinction. he wanted to be "cool". He wanted one of the slick silk and leather jackets that the seniors had. He wanted to gain attention in school. So did all of the other pledges, one of whom, died tragically.

[Ice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a young boy who is a not so popular kid in high-school who is asked to join a club that could make him a star. He immediately takes the chance and does everything he can to make it into the club. He is so focused on this simple high-school club that he skips his ticket for a scholarship, a trumpet competition, into a good college. He goes through a few "tests" that will see if he is worthy of being a "warrior of distinction," the name of the club. After a few he has second thoughts and someone even ends up dead after all this is over

The author's purpose for writing this novel was to show us how far we have come. We do whatever we can to fit in, everything but being ourselves. We want to be with the popular crowd, be known as somebody, even if it means somebody dies. We need to be who we are, not who we want to be.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was all about a boy name Jericho who has a normal life and loved to play trumpet. He is a low class student and he want to be better so he tried out for a club called the Warriors of Distinction the best club in the school. When he signs up for the club he meets a girl named Arielle. After that there is a certain way to get in the club and that means doing pledge activities that are secert. Jaricho goes though the unpleasent pledge activities and on the last pledge activie goes on his best friend/cousin falls out of the second story window right onto his neck and he dies. Later from all the drama from his cousin Arielle breaks up with him and the story ends with him at his cousins house playing his trumpet.

I choose this book because i like the author and i would rate this book a 3 because at the end when josh dies it is unexpected.

[Tyesha Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being in high school and not being popular isn't easy. Jericho was an outcast at first. He had a few friends: Josh, Dana, Kofi, Arielle, and November. Jericho, Josh, and Kofi were asked to be in a school group called the Warriors of Distinction. They were excited because they were finally getting a chance to be popular in school. Dana then wanted to be in the group,too. She was going to be the only girl pledging and if she made it in she believed that she was going to make a difference. They had to do a weeks worth of doing what The Warriors of Distinction told them to do. When it was the final day, they all had to do the Leap of Faith. They had to jump from a window of a 2-story house. Everyone made it down safely except for Josh, Jericho's cousin. He fell and hit his head. They called an ambulance and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Nothing was ever the same after that.

[Kristin Reisler · Rating 1 out of 5]

November Blues also by Sharon M. Draper is the sequel to this book. This book is very confusing to read but is a good book.

In this book, a boy named Jericho, and a boy named Kofi, and also, a boy named Josh were in something kinda like the army, but it was "service" to upper classmen to get into a "club" that the school did not know about. The three younger boys, and other boys and girls begging to get in, had to do a crazy stunt to make it in, or in otherwise, get to wear the silk jacket. What you had to do is you had to jump out of a window from the top story of the school on the weekend when nobody was there. Kofi, and also Jericho made it down, but Jericho..

The stunt was called the wariors of distinction.

You'll have to read to find out!

[Thalia Thizzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a group of friends who want to join a high school ferternity called the warriors. Jericho's uncle, a former Warrior himself, is so proud of Jericho and Josh. Then there is also a girl named Dana who is the first girl to ever get pledged. This book is about when saying enough is enough before it’s to late.


The battle of Jericho is a good book I really enjoyed it. I learned a good lesson that I can use in the future because I want to join a fraternity.

There is also a sequel that is very good. It adds on to the lesson that is for every one even if you don't want to join a fraternity,

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the book that could scare parents of high school aged children. Written before Copper Sun, I can see how Sharon Draper has developed as an author; I can only think that she will continue getting better. I am enjoying her has an author that I want to read more of. The Battle of Jericho is a good book for young adults to read to try to show them the importance of not becoming lemmings and follow the crowd without using th good snese they were given. I can see how this could happen in todays world - kids always want to fit it but to what limits are they willing to go and make sacrifices. The end of the book gave me an intake of breath. I'm glad that I read this book.