Each story in Myers’ collection offers unique perspectives on life at 145th Street. If at all possible, I highly recommend reading each story with students in the order Myers has presented them. Below, I have provided the title of each story as well a brief summary and some themes/topics addressed in the story. If you are only able to use a couple stories, either use the information presented below to decide for yourself, or see some of my suggestions at the bottom of this page.
Click the title of each story below for foundational lesson plans to use in the classroom as well as potential extension activities.
Summary
Big Joe is beloved by the entire neighborhood. He wants to have a little fun by throwing a funeral for himself while he is still alive. Not everyone is happy with Big Joe though. Peaches, his soon to be adopted daughter, makes trouble for him. We see how quickly things on 145th can go from good to bad and back again. We also get our first glimpse of the value of community on 145th. Themes Addressed:
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Summary
A group of seven police cars come down on a group of people hanging outside Big Joe’s restaurant, but no one knows why. It is unclear who or what they are looking for. A crowd gathers and a kid points up at a window saying someone is there. One officer unintentionally fires his weapon and the rest of the police follow suit. What happens in the aftermath of the shooting and how the people of 145th Street are treated will leave you shaking your head. Themes Addressed:
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Summary
Billy Giles is a boxer whose life is all about saving face. He has never told his wife he failed to graduated high school, so he never will. He also hides from her the fact that he is boxing for money as he knows she wouldn’t approve. His lies and negative self perceptions affect him in the ring, exacerbating the problem. His saving grace is his wife and the knowledge that she will be there through it all no matter what. Themes Addressed:
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Summary
Angela Colon lost her father to a violent taxi accident. When she starts having dreams where she sees other people die and they come true, she is ostracized. Only when she keeps her dreams and sadness to herself do people treat her normally again. The world around her moves on and on the outside, it seems Angela has as well. Instead, she’s keeping it all inside. Themes Addressed:
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Summary
Jamie Farell is a high school kid on a bad luck streak. Just when he breaks down and can’t take it anymore, his luck turns around on him. He sets out to go for the girl of his dreams before his luck runs out, only for fate to interfere in the most ironic of ways. Themes Addressed:
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Summary
A narrator who wants nothing more than to get out of Harlem and its growing violence tells us the story of Monkeyman. Because Monkeyman saved someone from a Tigros beating, he’s been labeled a marked man. He tries to lay low but eventually says enough is enough and tells the Tigros where to meet him. In front of a crowd, Monkeyman takes his beating without throwing a single punch. Over time, the narrator comes to understand Monkeyman’s actions and so do we. Themes Addressed:
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Summary
A world class athlete, Eddie “Mack” McCormick has it all. The looks, the talent, and the girl. When a drive-by shooting leaves him crippled, he is lost in despair. His girlfriend, Kitty, goes to great lengths to pull Mack together. Their story is a testament to the power of love and support in the darkest of times. Themes Addressed:
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Summary
When Officer O’Brien helps Mother Fletcher, he doesn’t expect to see her again. After receiving a handmade sweater from her, he feels compelled to thank her personally. The two form an unexpected relationship and Fletcher invites O’Brien to Christmas. While O’Brien has no intentions of going to Fletcher’s house for Christmas, his wife and daughter catch wind of the invite and force him to go. Their visit shows O’Brien a side of Harlem he’s not seen before. Themes Addressed:
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Summary
Big Time skips out on school and avoids home because he doesn’t want to hear about his failures from his mother. He turns to drugs as his escape from the pain he feels from his low self-esteem. We catch glimpses where he knows what he’s doing is wrong, but he can’t stop himself. It’s only when he encounters young Benny and is forced to rise to the occasion that he realizes how “grown” he really is. Themes Addressed:
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Summary
It’s party time on 145th Street. With the borough president throwing a block party, the music is blasting, the people are dancing, and the food is righteous. Everyone’s having a great time. Everyone except Peaches, that is. With her mom’s marriage to Big Joe approaching, Peaches is taking her anger out on everyone she can, especially J.T. Her pettiness blinds her from the fact that there is much more to J.T. then she realizes. Only when she sees for herself does she realize Big Joe and her community are more important now than ever. Themes Addressed:
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Top 5 Must-Read Stories for 7th Graders
1.
"Monkeyman" |
2.
"Block Party: 145th Street Style" |
3.
"The Baddest Dog in Harlem" |
4.
"A Christmas Story" |
5.
"Kitty and Mack: A Love Story" |
Stories Structured by Cultural Concept
Community
Each of the following stories demonstrate the power of community. “Big Joe’s Funeral”
“The Baddest Dog in Harlem” “Monkeyman” “A Christmas Story” “A Story in Three Parts” “Block Party - 145th Street Style” |
Pride
Each of the following stories show us pride as a source of support as well is its ability to blind us in certain situations. These stories also teach us the necessity of support. “Fighter”
“Kitty and Mack: A Love Story” “A Story in Three Parts” |
Fear and Grief
Each of the following stories portrays a different look at grief and the power of sharing it with others or holding it in “The Baddest Dog in Harlem”
“Angela’s Eyes” |
Life through another lens
These stories make us look at life and the people around us in a new light, through another's eyes. They make us rethink what we initially assumed. “A Christmas Story”
“Block Party - 145th Street Style” |
Perspective
(specifically through Peaches) These stories show us many sides of Peaches and why she acts the way she does. “Big Joe’s Funeral”
“Monkeyman” “Block Party - 145th Street Style” |