Under Slammin' Pressure - Slam by Walter Dean Myers.
Alex Lindquist April 9, 2002
Blue
Under Slammin’ Pressure
Out of all the books I have read this year, one has stood out most and made me really think about it. Just over a week ago, I finished reading Slam!, by Walter Dean Myers. The main character, Greg “Slam” Harris, and his family live in a suburb house in the Bronx. Slam got his name from his standout basketball skills and his innate ability to slam-dunk. Slam goes to Latimer High, after switching from his old school Carver, to play basketball there and hopefully get a better education. Slam runs into a few problems in school and they threaten his basketball playing. Slam’s grades aren’t exactly great, in fact they were plain out bad, but this wasn’t the worst problem Slam faced in the book. Slam faced the most difficult task of his life; growing up and deciding what he wants to do with his life.
In the book, Slam!, there is a plethora of well-detailed and interesting characters. Slam’s parents aren’t all that exciting, but his “Mums” keeps him in line. His Mother in constantly on Slam to do better in school and talks to Greg a lot about life. Greg’s Father doesn’t play much of a role at all in the story, he just seems to be a working alcoholic who helps the family make ends meet. Slam’s little brother, Derek, is as colorful as any nine year-old who acts much like Slam, but also strives to be different. Derek and Slam have a pretty good relationship between the two of them, even though they do have their rough times. Even when Derek lost the schools’ camera, that Slam borrowed, Slam didn’t make him suffer any repercussions. Another main character in Slam’s life is his girlfriend, Mtisha. Mtisha and Slam have an odd relationship, they don’t know whether they are serious about each other or not and they find themselves falling for one another. Then there is Ice, Slam’s best friend, who he grew up with. Ice is still going to Carver and ragged Slam for going to Latimer, but they are like brothers. As the book goes on Ice and Slam find themselves drifting off in different directions and Slam starts to thinking Ice may be dealing crack. The relationship between Ice and Slam is very brother-like and they both have great respect for one another.
