2 out of 4 stars
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The Ballad of Sidney Hill is a YA novel written by Khali Raymond. The Ballad of Sidney Hill is told by eighteen year old Sidney Hill. Sid is a young man disillusioned with the world around him. Sid has found solace in a home and neighborhood where he feels safe and secure. However, Sidney and his family is one day uprooted from their beautiful, suburban home in Flagda, Florida. Where they end up is very disconcerting and changes Sid and his family’s life forever. The city of Badland, Pennsylvania is similar to an inner city ghetto. The air is putrid, the crime rate is very high and thugs have taken over the city. Disenchanted with law officials, Sid feels the need to take the law into his own hands to protect himself and his family.
The time is one where industrialization was in full bloom and homes and towns were being destroyed in the name of progress. Young Sidney is angry and fearful of the direction in which his life has taken. Yet, he finds a way to survive; rejuvenating old relationships and finding comfort in new, unexpected friendships helps Sid adjust to his new environment. The events that unfold during Sid’s journey through Pennsylvania’s toughest streets will test his will and endurance. Sid’s resilience proves that good can prevail over evil. However, will his family be able to sustain the trials and tribulations brought on by this new life they had to endure?
This novel gives the reader an insight into the violence of inner city living in Badland, Pennsylvania in 2013. Also, it makes the reader question their own belief system and the concept of right and wrong. The Ballad of Sidney Hill is definitely not for the faint of heart. The novel is geared toward young adults; it is also for those who enjoy action-filled adventure. However, anyone can enjoy this book.
What made this story even more amazing is that it was written by a sixteen year old young adult. It took a lot of insight and maturity to write this novel. What Khali Raymond did was make the reader feel as if he actually lived the story himself. In the same way, while reading the story, I felt as if I was indeed in Badland, Pennsylvania in the year of 2013. To be able to make the reader feel this way shows the author’s skill and talent.
I thoroughly enjoyed Raymond’s The Ballad of Sidney Hill. The characters were very complex yet believable. Sid’s mother was an aging woman who shopped excessively to gain her husband’s attention. Also, she tried to achieve a level of normalcy for her family as best she could. Sid’s father was a hard worker who provided for his family to the best of his abilities. Seth, Sid’s older brother gives the right amount of sibling rivalry which lightened up the story a bit and even made one chuckle at times. Similarly, Sid’s love interest Cat brought another twist to the plot as well. I felt really attached to all of the characters and wanted to see them triumph. This fictional depiction of life in Badland, Pennsylvania was gripping, and very exhilarating up until the final climactic end.
This novel gets 2 out of 4 stars! I really wanted to give the book 4 stars because I enjoyed it immensely. However, there were too many typos and errors that took away from my reading experience. The novel contained several grammatical errors that distract the reader from the story itself. In addition, the last few chapters felt rushed. It’s as if the author was trying to bring the story to its conclusion in a couple of short chapters. However, I must point out that I appreciated the subtitles that kept the reader updated on special times and events as they occurred. Still, a few more chapters were needed in order to thoroughly come to a satisfactory ending. In this way, the reader wouldn’t leave with so many unanswered questions. Perhaps the author did it intentionally with a sequel in mind. Nevertheless, it was still a very fast-moving, thought provoking story that anyone would enjoy.
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