A review by ralphiereads76
Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

5.0

(Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC) Doing similar work as Sharon Draper's "Blended" but with a boy as the MC, this refreshing navigation of biracial identity will definitely be one I want on my classroom library shelves! The written voice was strikingly different from that of Rhodes' other books I've read ("Towers Falling", "Ghost Boys"), which is not something I see a lot in YA writers' stylistic choices. I especially was impressed with the consideration of how the characters experienced privilege (or lack of it) depending on which spaces they were in--the Boys and Girls Club gym, the home, the fencing competitions, their private high school, the courthouse... Jewell Parker Rhodes again writes an important story about race, identity, and assumptions, this time through the lens of a biracial pair of brothers, one whom society sees as Black, and one whom is seen as white. I expect it will be on many award lists next year. Publishes Mar. 2020.