The Gun by Paul Langan

The Gun by Paul Langan

August 30, 2010

The material below is information to introduce The Gun.

Brief Summary

Tyray Hobbs is a freshman at Bluford High School who has always used his size and bad

attitude to intimidate others. But just before The Gun opens, scrawny Darrell Mercer has

publicly stood up to Tyray in a cafeteria fight. Now Tyray is a school joke, and he feels the

only way to redeem his reputation is to take revenge on Darrell. He is offered a gun by a

neighborhood criminal, Bones, and Tyray decides that this is his solution. Tyray raises money

for the gun by conning a caring girl, Lark, and by stealing from his mother. He confronts

Darrell, intending to kill him, but is suddenly sickened by what he has become. He attempts

suicide, but Darrell saves him. As the book ends, Tyray is opening his heart to his parents and

a sympathetic teacher, and it seems he is moving off the path of hatred and violence.

List of Characters

Tyray Hobbs: A freshman bully at Bluford High. Tyray was recently defeated by Darrell

Mercer in a public scene at school.

Darrell Mercer: A scrawny freshman who was once bullied by Tyray but then embarrassed

him in a fight. He is the target of Tyray’s revenge.

Mom (Mrs. Hobbs): Tyray’s mother, a meek woman who does her best to care for her family.

Dad (Gil Hobbs): Tyray’s father, a large man with a violent temper.

Ms. Spencer: Principal of Bluford High School.

Rodney Banks: Tyray’s former best friend and fellow bully.

Amberlynn Bailey: A friend of Darrell’s who hates Tyray.

Mr. Mitchell: A popular English teacher who tries to help kids with their problems.

Lark Collins: A shy freshman girl who likes Tyray.

Harold Davis: A friend of Darrell’s.

Bones: A neighborhood criminal.

Warren Hobbs: Tyray’s older brother, now in prison for armed robbery.

Cedric, Shamar, Eddie, Len: Four boys who torment Tyray.

Mrs. Hodden: Cedric’s grandmother.

Jupiter and Londell James: Two local brothers involved in illegal activities.

Jamee Wills: Lark’s and Amberlynn’s friend.

Coach Lewis: The wrestling coach at Bluford High School.