Plot
Exposition: The novel Slam by Walter Dean Meyers, takes place in a poor African American neighborhood in Harlem, New York. The main character, Greg "Slam" Harris, has to deal with daily gang violence, drugs, and murders. Greg loves to play basketball and is called "Slam" because of his ability to slam dunk. He lives with his 9 year old brother Derek, mother, and an alcoholic father who is rarely home. His best friend, Ice, has always been there for him. They have known each other since they were little, but Greg starts to question their friendship when he suspects Ice has become a drug dealer. Greg is also in love with his friend Mtisha, but she is not so sure about him.
Rising Action: Along with having to switch schools, Greg also has to try out for the basketball team with a coach that is not willing to put Greg in his primary position, point guard. Greg arrives late to the tryouts and barely makes the team by beating the coach in one-on-one. For the first few games, Greg does not get much playing time due to his superior attitude. Greg struggles with this on the court and managing his grades off the court. To improve his math grade, he meets with Mtisha for tutoring, but is distracted by his feelings for her and her good looks. As a result, he does not do well on his math tests and his lack of improvements starts to worry and anger his mom. Moreover, Greg hears that some of his teammates are also getting annoyed with him and his constant attitude.
Climax: Greg plays Ice's basketball team, Carver, and after the game Ice invites him to his party at his house. When Ice unexpectedly leaves the party, Greg tries to find him. When Greg goes up to the rooftop, he sees something that he has never seen Ice do before. This may or may not effect Ice and Greg's relationship.
Falling Action/Resolution: After the major incident that arose between the main characters of the book, everything returned to normal. Delimas were settled and friendships were regained. However, Slam and Ice's relationship will never be fully recovered due to the unexpected event that takes place at the party.
Rising Action: Along with having to switch schools, Greg also has to try out for the basketball team with a coach that is not willing to put Greg in his primary position, point guard. Greg arrives late to the tryouts and barely makes the team by beating the coach in one-on-one. For the first few games, Greg does not get much playing time due to his superior attitude. Greg struggles with this on the court and managing his grades off the court. To improve his math grade, he meets with Mtisha for tutoring, but is distracted by his feelings for her and her good looks. As a result, he does not do well on his math tests and his lack of improvements starts to worry and anger his mom. Moreover, Greg hears that some of his teammates are also getting annoyed with him and his constant attitude.
Climax: Greg plays Ice's basketball team, Carver, and after the game Ice invites him to his party at his house. When Ice unexpectedly leaves the party, Greg tries to find him. When Greg goes up to the rooftop, he sees something that he has never seen Ice do before. This may or may not effect Ice and Greg's relationship.
Falling Action/Resolution: After the major incident that arose between the main characters of the book, everything returned to normal. Delimas were settled and friendships were regained. However, Slam and Ice's relationship will never be fully recovered due to the unexpected event that takes place at the party.