Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth

Title: Kinda Like Brothers
Author: Coe Booth
ISBN: 9780545224963
Publisher: Scholastic
Released: August 26, 2014
Page #: 248
Source: My public library

Summary:
"It was one thing when Jarrett's mom took care of foster babies who needed help. But this time it's different. This time the baby who needs help has an older brother - a kid Jarrett's age named Kevon.

Everyone thinks Jarrett and Kevon should be friends - but that's not gonna happen. Not when Kevon's acting like he's better than Jarrett - and not when Jarrett finds out that Kevon's keeping some major secrets.

Jarrett doesn't think it's fair that he has to share his room, his friends, and his life with some stranger. He's gotta do something about it - but what?"
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First Lines:

"He's leaving.
Kevon.
He's in the corner of the room throwing stuff in that stupid army bag he got, trying to be real quiet."
Page 1
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Review:

I'm pretty much a fan of anything Coe Booth puts out there. This is no exception.

Jarrett's mom is known for taking in foster babies - at any time of night. So when one of those babies comes in with a little extra baggage (aka a big brother), Jarrett realizes that his life is about to change. He has to share everything and his mom expects he and Kevon to get along famously. That's just not the case. In fact, they butt heads at every turn. Neither of them like the situation, and Jarrett cannot wait to get his normal life back.

It's so refreshing to have this sort of middle grade book. It deals with so many issues and it seems like something many kids will be able to relate to. I think some of my favorite things were about the Center. I loved that these boys were doing a step routine, that the boys decide to take yoga, that Jarrett was learning to be a film maker... I just think it's great to show them trying lots of new things and learning more about the world around them.

I think it all boils down to how relatable this book is - and how relatable I hope it is. I hope kids have a place like the Center to go. I hope there are classes happening about being how to be a good man. I hope there are mentors out there like the various men in Jarrett's life. I hope there are women like Jarrett's mom who take in and love babies who need a place to go. I really, really hope that kids who pick up this book find a little bit of themselves in Jarrett - no matter where they're from or what their lives are like.

The storyline about Jarrett struggling in school and probably failing sixth grade makes me really sad. But the thing I really liked about this was the fact that nothing was sugar-coated. He doesn't read well, he doesn't test well. This is a reality for lots of kids out there. But I hope they are able to read this kid's story and realize that there is hope for them. And that they might find comfort that they aren't the only ones.

So, I've got lots of pie-in-the-sky thinking about this book, obviously. It's well written and I think it's packed with wonderful messages. I hope others get the same feelings from it that I did. While I love the YA books that Booth writes, I sort of hope she continues writing for middle graders as well. She is very skilled at both and I look forward to whatever she's got coming in the future.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Guys Lit Wire
Wandering Librarians
ForeverBookish
The One and Only Marfalfa
Running Through the Stars
Reaching Reluctant Readers
YA Books Central
Teen Librarian Toolbox
The Pirate Tree

Finding My Place by Traci L. Jones

Title: Finding My Place
Author: Traci L. Jones
ISBN: 9780374335731
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Page #: 181
Source: From my public library

Summary:
"For most people, 1975 was the year that bell-bottoms were in, Happy Days was the very best show on TV, and shag carpeting was the ultimate interior decoration. For Tiphanie Jayne Baker, however, it's the year her parents decide to uproot her from her life in Denver and move to the ritzy suburb of Brent Hills, Colorado. The only Black girl at a high school full of Barbies, Tiphanie suddenly feels like she has to be better than her peers just to be equal. Ninth grade has never been so unbearable.

That is, until Tiphanie meets Jackie Sue Webster. Jackie Sue may be blond, but she's definitely not a Barbie. She spouts out crazy vocabulary words like anomaly and imbroglio, and announces that she's walking trailer trash as grandly as if she were declaring she was descended from Queen Elizabeth. So what if Jackie Sue has some secrets? Now that Tiphanie has finally found a real friend, life at Brent Hills High suddenly seems like it might be bearable - possibly even enjoyable. But as Tiphanie begins to feel more comfortable in her new home, her ties to her old community start to fray, and she can't help but wonder - does fitting in have to mean selling out?"
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First Lines:

"Your mother and I know switching schools is hard, Tiphanie, but we're sure you'll excel like you always have. At your old school you did well, and we are proud of you, but you can't simply do well at your new school. You must do superbly."
Page 3
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Review:

I don't think I've ever read a book set in the 1970s. It may just be because of a lack in that time period. It took me a little while to get the setting right in my head - There are parts of that era that are hard for me to imagine easily.

This is the story of a girl who has to switch schools because of her parents' jobs. The kicker is that she's a black girl who is moving into a predominately white neighborhood during a time when people were just starting to accept each other. This is a quick little book that just gives you a taste of what life might have been like.

Being the new girl in school is one thing, but realizing that everyone (even the teachers) may be against your from the get go? That's an insane thought, but it was a reality at one point. And it amazes me to think about the close-mindedness of that time. I get a little upset sometimes when I realize how people used to treat each other just because of their skin color. But then I have to remember how far this country has come - I live in the most diverse county in the country and I can't image my days without all the people working together.

This book is also a great story about friendship - and not caring what circumstances your friends come from. Jackie Sue is a great character who has a hard time with her home life. Things that we don't even realize until halfway through the book. It's great to watch Tiphanie stand by her throughout - even with her parents trying to push them apart.

I think many people will love this story - including adults. And I think it can reach as low as 6th grade, probably. There may need to be explanation about racism and such to younger readers, but otherwise is good for everyone. And I think it teaches great lessons about friendship and how people can help each other.

Definitely give this one a try. I'll be recommending it at work, for sure. Check out the author's website for more books and information about her.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Semicolon
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The Fourth Musketeer