An engaging book about identity and finding your place, which examines issues around race and equality in a way which is accessible for younger readers.

The book follows two wealthy mixed race brothers - one who presents as white and one who presents as black - and shows how differently they are treated based on their looks alone. It also explores the privileges wealth can bring, and the various dynamics of a mixed race family.

A great one to add to the school library!

Jewell Parker Rhodes can do no wrong in my book. This is another stunningly crafted, emotive, powerful read that will strike in the hearts of young people everywhere.

I read Black Brother, Black Brother in one sitting and that should tell you something - either it was a really short book or I couldn't put it down. I was thoroughly captivated by this coming of age YA tale. The central themes for me were racism, colourism, family, injustice, self awareness and discovery.

My review is far too long, so it will be going on the blog and an abbreviated version is below.

What was powerful in this YA book was how it showed the reality of being black - regardless of your age your blackness defined you first and foremost. Not your personality, education, family or any other criteria. And that definition limits you because preconceived ideas of what it means to be black and worse yet a black male invariably means negative stereotypes.

Another theme running throughout the book was of course, fencing. It was good to see portrayed the mental as well as physical ability required to excel in this sport. Often you only see the physical exertion necessary to do well at sports. Additionally this book referenced the assumption that black children are good at sport. No, let me clarify that, that they like and are good at some sports and not others. The myth around swimming is inexcusable. The reality is you can only be good at an sport if you've had access to it. If availability or access is denied then the assumption shouldn't be that you are not good.

How you can confound others by being yourself and not meeting their demands for preconceptions or stereotype, is a wonderful thing.

In summary Black Brother, Black Brother raised relevant and topical issues in a realistic and age appropriate way. It was ace, loved it. I will be recommending this book endlessly.

Donte and Trey have mixed race parents. Their father is ‘white’ and their mother is ‘black’. I write the colours in inverted commas because we are all a mixture of races and ethnicities. Trey is light skinned but Donte is dark skinned, so much so that people have difficulty believing that they’re brothers. When they lived in New York, Donte was in the majority, but now they live in a suburb of Boston and attend a private school, he is definitely in the minority. Racism is rife in the school and he is definitely treated in an inferior way to his brother.

After one particularly challenging display of racism, Donte decides to take on the school bully/racist at his own game - fencing. Fencing is seen as a predominantly white, middle class sport, but the brothers find out that people of colour have played a large part in its history and have achieved success in recent international tournaments. Donte finds a coach and encourages him to teach him the art of fencing. Through his training, Donte learns not only to fence, but also learns a lot about himself.

This is a really interesting story, which challenges stereotypes and asks many questions about racial bias. However, I don’t like the author’s writing style. She uses predominantly short sentences which gives it a very staccato style and at times I felt that I was reading her notes for the book rather than the book itself. I would love to see the story re-edited with a more flowing narrative.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an entertaining middle grade. Which introduces the idea of the school to prison pipeline with an uplifting ending. Also illustrates the sport of fencing and explores biracial identity.