Standing Tall

Gr 7 Up—This powerful film focuses on two teens who are facing very difficult periods in their lives. Keisha and her family have moved from Ghana seeking a better life, but her father is unable to find a job which exacerbates his drinking problem. Keisha finds it difficult to trust her peers and fit in at school. Josh's older brother was killed in an auto accident. The way he and his parents deal with their grief drives them apart. Josh begins hanging out with friends who engage in risky behavior and eventually commit a crime. Both teens reach points where they are able to find resilience amid their despair. An art teacher reaches out to Keisha, engaging her in an activity that she loves and giving her a format to express her feelings. As a result, Keisha is able to take the chance of forming friendships with fellow art students. When his friends beat and rob another young man, Josh's shame and empathy for the victim lead him to a breaking point that allows him to reach out to his parents. With professional help, Josh joins a soccer team and begins to heal. The action alternates between the two stories and is told entirely by the teenagers. While both stories end on positive notes, they depict the ongoing struggle to overcome adversity. Students will be moved by these inspiring stories.—Constance Dickerson, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH