Miracle’s Boys.

Woodson, J. (200). Miracle’s Boys. New York: Speak

Plot Description: Lafayette wishes that his life was back the way it used to be.  He wishes that his mother was still alive and that his brother still liked him, but ever since Charlie got back from Rahway he has been mean.  Lafayette even calls him Newcharlie now because he isn’t the same person.  Newcharlie is now friends with Aaron, a guy who is usually getting in trouble.  One day, Ty’ree and Lafayette, get a call that Charlie is at the precinct.  He was picked up for being in a stolen car.  The police let him go with a warning and he finally reaches his breaking point and lets his feelings out.  He realizes what is important in his life and the three boys are back to being a family again.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: This book would be appropriate for grades 6-9.

Similar Books: Behind You, Hush, & The Dear One all by Jacqueline Woodson

Personal Thought: This book depicts the life struggle one family faces and the hardships they overcome.

Subject/Themes: Family, Death, Hope

Awards: Coretta Scott King Award

Character Description: Lafayette is twelve years old.  He found his mother dead in her bed when he was nine.

Ty’ree is Lafayette’s older brother.  He works full time to take care of his two younger brothers.

Charlie aka Newcharlie is the middle brother.  He was in juvenile detention for two years for robbing a convenience store and wasn’t around when his mother died.

Mama is the boy’s mother.  She died from her diabetes.

Aaron is Charlie’s new friend.  He is in a gang and ends up getting Charlie beat up as part of an initiation.

Annotation: Lafayette wishes his mother was still alive and that his brother Charlie still loved him, but things have changed and they will never be the same again.  Will Lafayette be able to make things with his family better or will they continue down the same path?