*I remember attending a NCTE dinner and sitting at Jewell Parker Rhodes table. She talked about a story she was working on. That was this story. I was thrilled to get an ARC at the next year's NCTE. Even though I had the book, I decided to listen via Audible during my September commute to and from school.
What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Trey and Donte are twelve-year old brothers. They attend Middlefield Prep which consists mostly of white students.
*Even though the two boys are brothers, Donte is darker skinned while Trey is lighter skinned. This causes some major troubles for Donte.
*Donte always seems to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time. He doesn't understand why the other students and staff always assume the worst of him.
*After a "misunderstanding" at school, Donte is suspended and actually arrested.
*He ends up joining a fencing group and it is through this experience he learns who he truly is and what he stands for.
What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*A wonderful and important story for all young readers to experience.
*As a fourth grade teacher, I've had many black boys in my class that I know have felt and experienced what Donte experienced in his life.
*The relationship between the two brothers, being the "center" of the story, drove everything that each boy did and reacted to.
*Every good story needs the antagonist and/or "villain", and Jewell Parker Rhodes certainly delivered with the Alan character.
*I loved the "life lessons" Donte learned from his fencing, and reminded me of my fencing class back in ninth grade.
Who Should Read It:
*I believe all middle-school readers would be able to relate to Donte's story. For that reason, I would like to see a copy of the book in all middle-school libraries. Fifth and sixth grade readers would also be a target audience for Rhodes' newest novel. If you know a young black boy, this may be the perfect story for him. Happy Reading!
*I believe all middle-school readers would be able to relate to Donte's story. For that reason, I would like to see a copy of the book in all middle-school libraries. Fifth and sixth grade readers would also be a target audience for Rhodes' newest novel. If you know a young black boy, this may be the perfect story for him. Happy Reading!
Rating: 5 STARS out of 5 Stars
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