¶ … Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara [...] what Squeaky learns in the story, and how her life will be different because of her experiences in the story. Squeaky learns many things in "Raymond's Run," from dedication and perseverance to how to gain respect. Squeaky is wise beyond her years in many ways, so some lessons are beyond her. However, her most important lesson is really about friendship, and how real friendship is not based on fear, but on respect and mutual ideals and goals. Hazel or "Squeaky" is a girl with an attitude who takes care of her "not right" brother Raymond, and exudes confidence. She says "no one can beat me and that's all there is to it" (Bambara 21). However, this confidence, and her overprotective attitude about Raymond do not win her many friends. She learns dedication and perseverance can lead to success. She says Raymond's playing is OK "as long as he doesn't rune me over or interrupt my breathing exercises, which I have to do on account of I'm serious about my running" (Bambara 22). She learns...

However, respect is not all there is in life. Squeaky needs to find friendship too, because besides Raymond, she is basically alone in the world.
Squeaky is in many ways older than her years, and wiser, too. She can look at people, and see through them. She says, "Rosie... is too stupid to know that there is not a big deal of difference between herself and Raymond and that she can't afford to throw stones" (Bambara 22). This is adult thought from a little girl, and she shows that she understands human nature and people a lot more than many people of her age. She has grown up fast because she has the responsibility of Raymond, and it is a big responsibility for a young girl. She also knows about the realities of being poor, which also add to her aura of age and maturity. She knows she is "a poor Black girl who rally can't afford to buy shoes and a new dress you only wear once a lifetime cause it won't fit next…