Year: 2020

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Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes – Book Review

 

Title: Black Brother, Black Brother
Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: March 3, 2020
Interested in teaching Black Brother, Black Brother? Check out the LIT Lessons Black Brother, Black Brother Novel Study.

Donte Ellison and his brother Trey attend Middlefield Prep, a private school in the suburbs of Boston. Despite being brothers, they have very different experiences. Trey presents as white and is easily accepted by his classmates and teachers. Donte presents as black and is bullied and ostracized for it – by both students and staff. Taunted as the “black brother,” Donte struggles against not only the overt racism he directly encounters but also the subversive racism that permeates the privileged institution. When Donte is blamed for yet another incident in class, the fallout sets him on a path that changes his life and the lives of those around them.

Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes is a moving story about race, privilege, and family while also highlighting the power of sport. Rhodes uses fencing as a metaphor throughout to serve as the primary vehicle for invoking the narrative’s complex themes. It is a brilliant choice that simultaneously demonstrates how sports can transform young people even as it reflects and reinforces societal issues, such as institutional racism, discrimination, and the effects of privilege. This is not just a novel about sports though. In fact, the relationships amongst its characters stand as the novel’s true strength. The portrayal of those ties strengthens the novel’s message. Rhodes realistically depicts the positive and negative relationships that develop across family, friends, and school. Meanwhile, a focus on the positive relationships enhances the novel’s message, provoking readers to ponder the Dontes of the world that go without such a strong support system. The end result is a powerful, poignant, and hopeful story that is layered and provocative. For the truth it is willing to tell about what it means to be a black boy in a white world, Black Brother, Black Brother demands to be read again and again.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • Teaching Unit – Use the Black Brother, Black Brother Novel Study to teach a cross-curricular unit with the history of fencing resources.
  • Cross-Curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of implicit bias and institutional racism.
  • Literature Circles – Use novel for small groups or choice reading with a variety of books about societal issues faced by African-Americans today.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading realistic fiction and about sports.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Wealth and inequality
  • Institutional racism
  • Stereotypes and implicit bias

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Black Brother, Black Brother. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks – Book Review

 

Title: From the Desk of Zoe Washington
Author: Janae Marks
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: January 14, 2020

During the summer after sixth grade, Zoe Washington focused on baking, hoping to be selected for the Food Network’s next Kids Baking Challenge. However, her focus wavers when she receives a letter for her birthday. It is from Marcus, her incarcerated father. While Zoe knows about Marcus, her mother has forbade her to communicate with him. Zoe’s curiosity gets the best of her and she begins to secretly write back-and-forth with Marcus, including with the help of her grandmother. When Marcus tells Zoe that he is innocent, she is stunned to learn that a person could possibly be put in jail despite their innocence. Determined to help Marcus, Zoe commits to help learn the truth and free her father. Along the way, she discovers how unfair the justice system is, especially for Black people like her and Marcus. As she does, her own secrets start growing. If the legs on which they stand cannot bear them, Zoe’s progress may come up just short when the truth comes out.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington is a compelling, thought-provoking story for both middle grades readers and the genre’s older fans. Author Janae Marks crafts realistic characters with realistic flaws. And still, these flaws reflect typical nature. They come from a good place and are grounded in people trying to do what they think is right. The conflicts that emerge from the motivation to do right will inspire spirited debate among readers. While baking, friendship, and family relationships are sprinkled throughout the story, Marcus’s plight remains solidly front-and-center as the narrative’s predominant element. Despite his innocence, he is stuck in jail, resigning himself to a racist system stacked against him. So how is it that Zoe, a 12 year-old, can accomplish more in a few short weeks than Marcus’s defense lawyer and appeals lawyer could do in years? While her effectiveness might strike some as unrealistic, it also could be seen as powerfully illustrating the justice system’s blatant and grievous shortcomings. From the Desk of Zoe Washington is a wonderful, middle grades read that addresses a range of issues related to the criminal justice system, demonstrating how an unfair system has far-reaching consequences.

Middle grades students deserve to read From the Desk of Zoe Washington. Myriad of young adult novels address the criminal justice system, but this story finds a thoughtful balance in doing so. It includes resonant themes of family and friendships alongside the bitter fight against systemic racism. Young readers will surely connect with the references to baking and music playlists, but still having their perspective of the justice system challenged by Marcus’s experiences. When paired with nonfiction texts on the criminal justice system, its systemic racism, and statistics on black incarceration, From the Desk of Zoe Washington can be even more emotive, giving a name (in Marcus) to countless others that have also suffered his plight.

Classroom Applications

  • Cross-Curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of the criminal justice system, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the Innocence Project.
  • Literature Circles – Use novel for small groups or choice reading with a variety of novels that address systemic racism and injustice.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading about themes of social justice and the criminal justice system.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Innocence Project
  • Black Lives Matter Movement
  • Criminal Justice System
  • Justice System Statistics

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with From the Desk of Zoe Washington. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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Notorious by Gordon Korman – Book Review

 

Title: Notorious
Author: Gordon Korman
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: January 7, 2020

Keenan is used to a fast-paced, independent life as he travels the world with his mom, an international schoolteacher. But when he is sidelined by tuberculosis, he winds up on the seemingly sleepy island of Centerlight with his dad. Situated right on the border of Canada and the US, the island’s thrilling history of gangsters and gunfights appears to be just that – in the past. Yet, when a local resident, Zarabeth, befriends Keenan, their friendship takes them on a suspenseful adventure and brings that history roaring back to life.

Gordon Korman’s Notorious is a fun read as it threads together Prohibition Era history, the death of the infamous dog Barney, and quirky, adventurous characters. Korman’s choice of setting and a portrayal that brings Centerlight to life effectively adds it to the cast of characters. Such development is no small feat, but Korman perfects it in Notorious. The novel has much going for it, including eclectic characters, a compelling setting, a unique conflict, and mystery, all of which are skillfully tied together, but readers may struggle with the plot’s pacing and certain narrative choices. Suspense builds a little too slowly until the very end and random chapters told from adult perspectives unnecessarily brought readers out of Keenan and Zarabeth’s worlds. Both factors contribute to the pacing issues that detract from the quality of the great story being told. Still, readers will persist because the mystery is tantalizing, and when they near the end, they will not be able to put the book down.

Middle grade readers will undoubtedly enjoy Notorious, and the book would have many uses. It would be a great addition to book clubs or exchanges, a worthwhile supplement for early finishers, a good summer read, or suitable for a unit that explores the Prohibition Era and its infamous gangsters. All told, the novel has something for everyone, and as a thrilling  tale, it will grip students.

Classroom Applications

  • Cross-Curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of the Prohibition Era
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading historical fiction or mysteries.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Prohibition Era
  • The “Real” Centerlight

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Notorious. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

  • Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko (Character Connections, Thematic Connections, Nonfiction Connections)
  • Holes by Louis Sachar (Character Connections, Thematic Connections)
*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi – Book Review

 

Title: Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha #2)
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Release Date: December 3, 2019

Zélie, Amari, and Inan are back in the sequel to Tomi Adeymi’s Children of Blood and Bone. In the next installment of the trilogy, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, the trio confront the fallout of magic’s return with each trying to navigate a new path forward in order to bring peace to Orïsha (and themselves). Yet, scars from their past continue to affect their visions for the future. As Zélie works to help Amari ascend the throne and bring the maji together, Inan sets out to preserve the monarchy and its rule. Still, Orïsha is in chaos and everyone faces new dangers. Zélie, Amari, and Inan must decide what kind of leaders they want to be. Their choices stoke strong feelings, such as shock, inspiration, and disappointment, just to name a few. Those choices also are made as people increasingly choose sides in the brutal war descending upon the land. Both sides weaponize magic in the struggle, and the characters’ decisions on how to wield that power change them – and Orïsha – forever

Tomi Adeymi’s highly anticipated sequel, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, picks up the first novel’s saga and continues with all its thrills, strife, love, and angst. As with the first book, Adeymi skillfully builds a world that although seemingly unfamiliar compared to the one we know actually serves as a searing reflection of it. The ebb and flow pacing effectively balances action with development, engaging readers in a thrilling and emotional tale. The characters’ arcs are realistic in taking readers to the precipice of the darker reaches of their hearts and minds. The conflicts at the center of their struggles are complex and require unpacking, just like any real-world struggle. Unfortunately, the extent to which the author circles back to Zélie’s, Amari’s, and Inan’s internal deliberations about them becomes repetitive over time. Such repetition crowds out the nuances of those internal conflicts, which stunts deeper character development for readers. In the end, though, the book is simply compelling. A captivating beginning creates intrigue that will propel readers through the novel, and the heart-pounding ending will have readers marking their calendars for the release of the third installment.

Students will no doubt voraciously consume Adeymi’s Children of Virtue and Vengeance. Whether for fun or a classroom novel study, the book will be popular amongst students and teachers alike. Just as Children of Blood and Bone serves as a vehicle to explore societal issues, such as racism and discrimination, this novel can do the same. Plus, since readers have already oriented themselves to the characters and their world own while reading the first book, they can spend more time while reading the second reflecting upon the ways in which the contests seen in Orïsha bring light to the systemic and institutional problems in our society today. The reading adventure continues…

Classroom Applications

  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading fantasy novels.
  • Literature Circles – Use novel for small groups or choice reading for fantasy books or books about contemporary societal issues.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Yoruba Culture and Religion
  • West African History
  • Institutional Racism

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Children of Virtue and Vengeance. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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Jackpot by Nic Stone – Book Review

 

Title: Jackpot
Author: Nic Stone
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 15, 2019

Rico, her mom, and her little brother struggle to stay afloat. Despite the difficulties, Rico’s mom insists they live beyond their means in order to reside in an affluent area known for the quality of its schools. Rico’s mom prioritizes access to quality education, but Rico herself has been unable to take full advantage of the opportunity before her. For instance, she must work to help her family make ends meet and avoid returning to the homeless shelter where they once lived. With all these aspirations and challenges swirling, Rico sells a lottery ticket to an elderly woman during the late shift at the Gas’n Go on Christmas Eve. Believing she sold the $109 million winner, Rico embarks on a journey to find the woman. When she enlists the help of the popular, handsome Zan Macklin (heir in the family that owns a toilet paper company), Rico’s life changes in ways she could never have imagined.

Jackpot by Nic Stone provides readers a raw, unfiltered look into Rico’s hardship as she struggles to support her family while simultaneously hiding her poverty from her affluent peers. Her economic woes provide a window or mirror into an all-too-realistic situation for so many young people today. As a character, Rico is authentic and bold yet vulnerable. The story vividly portrays her trying to juggle the realities of her life with the image of it she projects to others. All the while, Zan’s wealthy, seemingly perfect situation sharply contrasts with Rico’s circumstance. In setting them side-by-side, Stone is also honest with readers. It is apparent that the grass, even if not perfect, may indeed be greener on the other side, a truth that adds to the authenticity of Rico’s conflicts.

While some may tire of the novel’s materialistic references, they do serve to remind readers of simple but important truths about society. Primarily, there are haves and have-nots, and the have-nots are often keenly aware of the distance between them and the differences in experience that distance creates. At the same time, the story does dwell on the universality of high school angst. As the relationship between Rico and Zan unfolds, it embodies those familiar feelings. The way it ends – in a surprise twist – may leave readers with a bittersweet feeling about the pair’s adventures, motivations, and relationship. It also may raise more questions for readers than it answers, another example of the way the novel treats complex topics in a forthright manner. Overall, Jackpot is a fantastic young adult novel with ample opportunities to explore larger societal issues of poverty, wealth, inequality, the lottery, and race, among many more. Nic Stone’s story will stay with students and adults alike, long after Rico’s ends.

Classroom Applications

  • Cross-Curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of the history of the lottery OR a Math unit on odds and probability.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading realistic fiction.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Lottery
  • Wealth and inequality
  • Class conflict
  • Healthcare

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Jackpot. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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Words on Fire by Jennifer Nielsen – Book Review

 

Title: Words on Fire
Author: Jennifer Nielsen
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: October 1, 2019

It is 1893 in Lithuania, a time when the Russian Empire controls the country. It is also a dangerous time, especially for anyone who still preserves and protects Lithuanian culture. Unbeknownst to Audra, her parents help smuggle books to keep memories of their homeland alive. However, book smuggling is illegal, and those caught in the act face imprisonment or even worse. When Russian Cossack soldiers come to take Audra’s parents away, she is forced to flee and ends up on an unexpected path that changes her life forever. Audra encounters danger at every turn, but she also tries to maintain a freshly found sense of purpose and hope. Faced with difficult choices and even more difficult consequences, Audra must decide what is right, not only for her and her family but also for her country.

The novel, Words on Fire by Jennifer Nielsen, entices readers through its setting. The focus on a less studied period and place within the Russian Empire intrigue, and although the nuances of Lithuania’s struggles may be foreign to readers, the novel’s themes, such as the power of books and family, still ring true today. The level of sophistication of Audra’s monologues compared to her alleged background creates a discord that undermines the broader narrative. The author uses the monologues to give lessons instead of allowing the characters’ experiences to teach lessons. Audra is a captivating and strong character. Despite moments of pontification, though, the novel’s pacing does create exciting moments of suspense, which will keep readers on their toes and turning pages.

Middle school students interested in historical fiction will find Words on Fire rich and fascinating. It might also spark their interest in the Russian Empire. The novel can also serve as a springboard for a cross-curricular ELA and History unit on the time period. The novel’s components generally provide all the material a teacher would need for an in-depth literary analysis. However, its long monologues detract from the natural authenticity of its characters and the struggles they endure, limiting its utility to facilitate more interpretative or provocative engagement with the text.

Classroom Applications

  • Cross-Curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of the Russian Empire or history of Lithuania and the Baltic States.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading historical fiction.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Russian Empire
  • History of Lithuania
  • Lithuanian Book Smugglers

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Words on Fire. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.