Riot, Walter Dean Myers
Riot, Walter Dean Myers
1 Rating(s)
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Riot

Author: Walter Dean Myers

Narrator: Various

Unabridged: 2 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/22/2009

Synopsis

During a long, hot July in 1863, the worst race riots the United States has ever seen erupt in New York City. Earlier that year, desperate for more Union soldiers, President Abraham Lincoln instituted a draft–a draft that would allow the wealthy to escape serving in the army by paying a $300 waiver, more than a year’s income for the recent immigrant Irish. And on July 11, as the first drawing takes place in Lower Manhattan, the city of New York explodes in rage and fire. Stores are looted, buildings set on fire, and black Americans are attacked, beaten, and murdered. The police cannot hold out against the rioters, and finally, battle-hardened soldiers are ordered back from the fields of Gettysburg to put down the insurrection, which they do–brutally.

Fifteen-year-old Claire, the beloved daughter of a black father and Irish mother, finds herself torn between the two warring sides. Faced with the breakdown of the city–the home–she has loved, Claire must discover the strength and resilience to address the new world in which she finds herself, and to begin the hard journey of remaking herself and her identity.

About The Author

Walter Dean Myers is the critically acclaimed author of such celebrated novels for youth as the New York Times Best—Selling Monster; the Newbery Honor—winning Somewhere in the Darkness and Scorpions; Shooter, the basis for the 2009 film Case 219; and the Coretta Scott King Award—winning Fallen Angels and Slam. Look for Monster also available on audio from Listening Library.  

Reviews

Goodreads review by Cindy B. on July 15, 2017

Post Civil War race riots (caused by unemployed southerners (b&w) immigrating to the north for nonexistent jobs). Written as a play with several actors narrating parts. Interesting and educational - I appreciated author's discussion at end. My dad saw these riots in pre-WWII Washington, DC - same ca......more

Goodreads review by Jessalyn on February 07, 2021

I listened to the audio book at my sister's recommendation. It was a brilliant production, much more like radio theatre. I appreciated learning about this historical event from the perspective of a young girl. The best part of the book though was the discussion part afterwards and the timeline demon......more

Goodreads review by Josiah on February 05, 2010

Walter Dean Myers was the winner of the inaugural Michael L. Printz award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature for his inventive novel Monster, and his 2009 book Riot has resurrected some of the unusual elements found in that earlier release. Riot is definitely not your average juvenile novel.......more

Goodreads review by Rachael on September 27, 2009

It’s the summer of 1863 in New York City. The Civil War is well underway, dividing not only the nation but its people. A federally instituted draft only incites the brewing conflict faster. Angry Irish immigrants flood the streets, looting stories and attacking blacks whom they blame for many of the......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on November 18, 2012

Reviewed by Grandma Bev for TeensReadToo.com RIOT by Walter Dean Myers tells the story of the beginning of the Civil War, and the 1863 insurgency in New York City. President Lincoln had started a draft to gain more soldiers for the Union Army, but there was a clause in the law that allowed the wealthy......more

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