Jamal was a fifth grader living in Brooklyn, New York, with his mother and older brother. The two boys' father was killed in a helicopter accident during his military service in Iraq. Before he left, though. Jamal's dad gave his youngest son some life lessons, including "If it's to be, it's up to me," about taking responsibility for one's personal choices and actions. Using a large mirror in their home, Jamal's father also told his son that there was a large community behind them that they...

Jamal lives in Brooklyn New York, in one of the historic brownstones, with his mother and older brother. Their father was killed in the Iraq war in a helicopter accident. They have this large, amazing mirror, that has been in the family for many years. Jamal's father before he died taught Jamal how to go to the mirror and speak positive and inspirational saying in the mirror because he believes life and death are in the power of the tongue. His father wanted to teach Jamal, that he wasn't ...