My Book A Hope in the Unseen Author- Ron Suskind

Plot Cedric Jennings is an anomaly at Ballou High School, a poorly-performing school where academic achievement is scorned. Cedric proudly strives for high grades with a desire to attend a top university. The low standards at Ballou place him at a disadvantage academically, also frequent taunts and threats from other students has alienated him socially. Cedric lives with his mother, Barbara Jennings, she works for the Department of Agriculture; his father Cedric Gilliam is a drug dealer currently serving time. In his junior year, Cedric is admitted to the Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES) summer program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He believes this is the start of a new life for him, but when summer arrives he finds the classes much harder than his fellow MITES students who attended better schools. Although he makes friends at MIT, he sees that his background sets him apart from everyone. At the end of the program, Cedric is told by faculty director Leon Trilling that he would not be welcome in MIT as a college student

Setting The story is set in 3 primary cities. Inner city Washington D.C. where Cedric & his mother live, Boston while Cedric is at a summer program, & Providence at Brown University

Conflict The protagonist is Cedric Jennings The antagonist ranges from a variety of opponents & challenges Cedric faces like peers who mock his ambition, poor inner city educational standards, & people of higher education who don’t understand problems lower class students face.

Climax In his first summer back from Brown, Cedric and his mother Barbara are almost evicted from their home, barely avoiding this disaster and showing Barbara that Cedric is now mature enough to care for her just as she had cared for him.

Conclusion Cedric overcomes the problems he faces in high school by attending Brown University & flourishing as a student despite everyone doubting him.

Personal Opinion I loved the book, it really helped me realize that I can do something with my life even when things seem too hard or out of reach. Also just knowing that this is a true story makes it a lot more inspiring to me.

How it influenced me This book influenced me by showing that you can reach your goals if you stay determined to reach them. Cedric Jennings is the best example for overcoming all the difficulties within his life.

FIN