leave us with heavy hearts. The fact that the youngsters did not .
deserve the horrible things that were thrust upon them and their .
helplessness gives the reader a taste for the urban tragedies. He uses .
the children brilliantly because their innocence allows them to remain .
pure and hopeful even though they are in a slum area with little hope .
for a bright future. The child is ideal for a character because everyone .
can relate to being a child. Not everyone has been a doctor, clerk or .
accountant, but everyone has been an innocent child once in their lives. .
Also people will feel sympathy toward the youths because of they are .
innocence. No one would feel as much sympathy for a thief or addict, .
because they are bringing evil upon themselves, whereas a child is .
thrust into the evils of society. .
The Elliot Bay book company wrote a review dealing with Kozol .
and his choice of setting. Claiming that it was a "brilliant" choice for .
this kind of story, the critic says: .
Jonathan Kozol speaks through hearts and minds of the .
children who live daily in war zone of drugs, prostitution, .
gunfire, and illness. Children tell of their dreams and .
worries; those who want to get a good education, eat .
snowcones, or enjoy a small packet of cookies, deal with .
AIDS, rape, and hunger on a daily basis." This emphasizes .
the point that the children are able to see past all of the .
crime and poverty to their hopes and dreams. The critic .
concludes by writing, "This is not an easy book to read, yet .
these children's stories are full of tenderness, and love, and .
"grace." This is a neighborhood where people try to get by .
and that our country tires to forget(T.A.T. 1). .
That review is a summary of his genius. Kozol is able to write .
using the perspective of the poor, without trying to preach a reform. He .
leaves an ominous message and realistically says that there is little .
hope for the victims of society. .
Kozol is so intent on helping the children and bringing focus to .
