about the book
From the time he was three, McCutchen Daniels (aka MD or Doc) has been trained by his low-life druggie father to battle in the mixed martial arts cage fights of Detroit’s underground. In these savage gloveless battles, MD’s opponents are literally trying to kill him. Even the winners leave the cage with life-altering injuries. Now sixteen, this young gladiator has to win every match. If he loses, his little five-year-old sister, Gemme, goes hungry.
McCutchen dominates, knows every fighting technique, and is an expert in the art of hurt. His abusive dad, an ex-boxer who goes by the name of Demon, demands that every opponent be destroyed. The more violent the victory, the better. Fighting is the only way to survive in the grittiest section of Detroit and to pay off Demon’s enormous gambling debts to the Priests, the lethal local gang that run the matches. A ferocious fighter, MD embraces the life, certain it is the only way to care for his sister and get them both out of poverty.
As MD wins match after match, Demon’s only concerns are the prize money and making his son the next MMA world champion. He even insists that MD drop out of school next year so he can train full time. Though his father doesn’t care about his son’s life, there is one person who is concerned. Mr. Freedman, the boy’s science teacher, sees MD’s potential and talks him into trying for a scholarship to an elite charter school.
When he wins entrance into the prestigious school, MD at first resists the idea and, of course, his tyrannical father and the Priests forbid it. But as time passes, MD wonders if he really has the “killa’ instinct.” Determined not to lose his money maker, Demon hides Gemme away. If MD doesn’t play by the rules, Gemme could be sold into child prostitution!
Never seeking help before, MD turns to Mr. Freedman. Thankfully, this quiet man has a mysterious past which includes some very unusual problem-solving skills. Let’s just say the ending of this book is one you’d never expect!
about the author
Allan Lawrence Sitomer holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Southern California, and a master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Language Arts Education from National University.
Alan was named California’s teacher of the year in 2007. He teaches English at an inner-city high school in Los Angeles and is also professor at the Graduate School of Education at Loyola Marymount University. He admits he is a tough teacher and that he expects all his students to “bust their butts” in his classes. To date he has written sixteen books including eight young adult novels, three children’s picture books, two teacher methodology books, and a classroom curriculum series for secondary English language arts. He recently finished the movie script adaptation for his Caged Warrior novel.
Born in New York, Alan currently makes his home in California.
Sources:
Author website
Author statement: California Board of Education
Author videos
Also by Alan Lawrence Sitomer:
Noble Warrior (Caged Warrior, Book 2). Disney-Hyperion. 2015.
The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriguez. Hyperion Press. 2008.
Homeboyz. Jump at the Sun. 2007.
Hip-Hop High School. Jump at the Sun. 2006.
The Hoopster. Jump at the Sun. 2005.
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