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Black Brother, Black Brother
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
17 posts | 20 read | 6 to read
From award-winning and bestselling author, Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a powerful coming-of-age story about two brothers, one who presents as white, the other as black, and the complex ways in which they are forced to navigate the world, all while training for a fencing competition. Framed. Bullied. Disliked. But I know I can still be the best. Sometimes, 12-year-old Donte wishes he were invisible. As one of the few black boys at Middlefield Prep, most of the students don't look like him. They don't like him either. Dubbing him "Black Brother," Donte's teachers and classmates make it clear they wish he were more like his lighter-skinned brother, Trey. When he's bullied and framed by the captain of the fencing team, "King" Alan, he's suspended from school and arrested for something he didn't do. Terrified, searching for a place where he belongs, Donte joins a local youth center and meets former Olympic fencer Arden Jones. With Arden's help, he begins training as a competitive fencer, setting his sights on taking down the fencing team captain, no matter what. As Donte hones his fencing skills and grows closer to achieving his goal, he learns the fight for justice is far from over. Now Donte must confront his bullies, racism, and the corrupt systems of power that led to his arrest. Powerful and emotionally gripping, Black Brother, Black Brother is a careful examination of the school-to-prison pipeline and follows one boy's fight against racism and his empowering path to finding his voice.
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Addison_Reads
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Pickpick

Another wonderfully written and diverse MG story. 💚 This story follows two biracial brothers and the racism they face at a new school. The story is told with fencing at its core and I knew absolutely nothing about this sport before this book. I liked the parallels between the events taking place at school and the rules of fencing. The writing is short and choppy at times but once you get use to the rhythm it works for the story.

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LiteraryinPA
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Mehso-so

This was a decent story about 2 brothers, one who resembles their white dad and one who resembles their black mom. It shows the discrimination faced by the darker brother and what happens when both take up fencing. The reason I‘m giving it a so-so is because I really wasn‘t a fan of the writing style. With super short choppy sentences and lots of asides in parentheses, it just made it hard to get into. But others might love it! 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Daisey
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Pickpick

This is another short but really great book by Jewel Parker Rhodes. I loved this story of biracial brothers who stick together and learn fencing. It describes some truly serious topics but balances it with the strength and support of close family and friends. I also appreciated the literary and historical references that elaborate on the message of the story.

#MiddleGrade #TRS2021

60 likes1 stack add
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Daisey
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Not only did this book start out with a reference to one of my favorite books of all time, but near the end it references one of my favorite nonfiction books. The story of Alexandre Dumas‘s father is fascinating, and this is a perfect historical reference to bring together the integral aspects of this book.

#MiddleGrade #TRS2021

Pip2 I‘m reading the Count of Monte Cristp right now. That‘s really interesting! 3y
52 likes2 comments
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Daisey
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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I‘m currently reading too many books, but I couldn‘t resist picking up this fairly short one while reading at school with my students today. It immediately pulled me in with a reference to Tolkien‘s LotR on the very first page. After a few chapters, I think it‘s going to be a somewhat difficult but important read, like the other books by Jewel Parker Rhodes I‘ve read.

#MIddleGrade #TRS2021 #BookSerendipity

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GirlNamedJesse
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Pickpick

Wow, this was a hard read. Not story-wise: it‘s captivating. But content-wise it is eye opening and heartbreaking. I loved the family dynamics, both bio and found, and enjoyed the fencing very much, too! Coach was, by far, my favorite character, and that last match was awesome!! ⚔️

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IReadThereforeIBlog
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
Pickpick

Jewell Parker Rhodes‘s contemporary novel about racism for children aged 9+ is a blazing indictment of the unfairness of racism and the role that privilege and wealth play in producing unequal outcomes for black children compared with white children. The plot has shades of THE KARATE KID, the scene cuts are a little jumpy and Trey and Donte‘s relationship needed more tension but this is a strong and sadly necessary read that is worth your time.

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megnews
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Pickpick

Mixed race twins who look very different and find themselves treated differently too learn fencing as an outlet and response to the crap life can throw their way. This was a quick MG read, especially going back & forth between audio and ebook.

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BookishTrish
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Pickpick

I really loved this book. It‘s the story of two biracial brothers one (Trey) who passes as white and one (Donte) who doesn‘t. Donte discovers fencing as a way to face the racist bully who taunts him. I wish Cobra Kai was this nuanced. Also I give it bonus points for being a bit of a love letter to Alexandre Dumas.

mylifeisbooks I really love Black Brother, Black Brother!! I recommend For Black Girls Like Me to anyone who loves this book! 3y
82 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Jomaa123
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
Pickpick

I like the book

MrsBabki Why. 4y
1 like1 comment
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BookishTrish
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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FantasyChick Pretty! I've got about 3 feet of snow in my driveway I'm more than happy to send your way if you get tired of the greenery 😄 4y
BookishTrish @FantasyChick I‘ll take an infinite raincheck on that please 4y
43 likes2 comments
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BookishTrish
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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I think it‘s going well #audiostitching (1 week in)

Linsy Ooh I love that eye! 4y
Come-read-with-me Looking beautiful! 4y
See All 8 Comments
LeahBergen 👏🏻👏🏻 4y
BookishTrish @Come-read-with-me Thank you! I can see so many mistakes and I still think it‘s pretty 4y
BookishTrish @LeahBergen Thank you 🥰 4y
Come-read-with-me @BookishTrish Mistakes are what make things unique! When I make things for friends that are usually filled with mistakes, I tell them the mistakes are what individualize they gift! It‘s all in how to look at it!! 4y
BookishTrish @Come-read-with-me 🥰🥰🥰💯 4y
52 likes8 comments
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DebbieGrillo
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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1. Yes. Its navy and SO soft.
2. Just one? Definitely the tagged book and at least 4 more!

#Two4Tuesday on Wednesday @TheSpineView
@LilPickle tag you're it!

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 😊 4y
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msjohns
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Pickpick

One of my favorite books! This book lays out what it‘s like to be a black student at a primarily white school. It‘s a very powerful story about two brothers who navigate the world of middle school together.

mylifeisbooks Definitely a favorite!! ❤ ❤ ❤ 3y
2 likes1 comment
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Peaceful_Reader
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Pickpick

Another realist fiction about racism and skin color. Donte has a great family but he has trouble at school with racist administration, teachers, and students. He finds his way to the Boys and Girls Club and a fencing coach that helps him find himself in the sport. #BLM #bias #mixed-race #diversifyyourbookshelf

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GerardtheBookworm
Black Brother, Black Brother | Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Pickpick

Another middle reader dealing with racism and social issues. A bullied, biracial student is framed for a crime and suspended from a private school. Finding a rapport with another black boy at a community center, the pair's shared love for fencing will help him get his good name and reputation back in this middle reader filled with current, topical themes.

TheBookKeepers Just finished this one on audiobook & I loved it as well! 4y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment