Characters in Black Brother, Black Brother

Donte does not feel welcome at Middlefield Prep. As one of the few Black students at the school, he finds the others always making fun of him, excluding him. But they love his white-presenting brother, Trey, a member of the basketball team. When an incident with Alan, “king” of the school, ends in Donte’s arrest, Donte determines to get back. His revenge will be sweet. He will learn how to fence, and beat Alan at his own sport. And maybe even make Middlefied Prep accept him onto their team.

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Will you be picking up Black Brother, Black Brother? Tell us in the comments below!
Review: Light Chaser by Peter F. Hamilton and Gareth L. Powell
Who is the main character in the book Black Brother Black Brother?
Who is the bully in black brother black brother?
What is the setting in black brother black brother?
What is the main conflict in black brother black brother?

Review

Black Brother, Black Brother is a timely story about two biracial brothers, one who presents as white and one who presents as Black, and the different treatment they received at their prep school. Trey is a member of the basketball team and beloved by everyone. Donte is constantly in trouble, even though he has not done anything wrong. When the latest incident escalates into Donte’s arrest–for allegedly throwing a pencil in class–Donte decides he will get even with Alan, the popular boy who really did it. He’ll do it by learning fencing and beating Alan at the sport he’s so proud of. But, along the way, Donte begins to learn more about himself and who he is. Black Brother, Black Brother is a story about finding one’s true friends and growing into one’s confidence.

One of the aspects of Black Brother, Black Brother that really makes it stand out is that the story is centered around a somewhat unusual sport: fencing. While many readers have probably seen fencing in the Olympics, and probably been intrigued by it, the sport remains inaccessible to many, partly because of the cost for equipment, partly because it tends to be offered by private schools but not public. These issues are addressed by the book, which also notes that, despite its history of being a sport for white people and for the wealthy, fencing has had many phenomenal people of color. The 2016 U. S. Olympic team was, in fact, pretty diverse. Black Brother, Black Brother highlights a sport that has captured many people’s interest, giving readers a feel good sports story about overcoming adversity through athletics, but also uses the story to educate readers about the history of fencing, as well as the possibility for everyone to participate.

The one thing I sadly did not enjoy about Black Brother, Black Brother is the prose. This may be in part because I listened to the audiobook version. I found that the narrator was reading the sentences as if the nearly the entire book was composed from simple sentences and fragments, giving it a choppy, staccato feeling. Maybe the sentence structure is supposed to appeal more to the middle grade audience for which the book is written. I found, however, that as the chapters passed by, I was increasingly desparate for a complex sentence. Even a compound sentence. Just something to break up the fragments!

Aside from the sentence structure, however, the book proves a notable, relevant read. Teachers and librarians will undoubtedly want the book for their shelves to highlight its diverse protagonist and provide a story that can teach readers about racism and colorism. And middle grade readers will appreciate a feel good story where a wrong protagonist picks up a sport, becomes amazing, and shows everyone he’s as good as they are.

“Contradictions rattle, hurt my mind. (Be tough. Don’t be tough. Don’t be tough, get bullied. Be black, tough can get you killed.)”

Award-winning and bestselling author, Jewell Parker Rhodes, captivates audiences with her new emotionally driven story about a young black boy that faces discrimination, while also discovering the importance of community and friendship. Black Brother, Black Brother is a middle-grade novel that looks at the protagonist’s ability to establish his own identity while facing bullying and racial prejudice.

Desperate to be invisible, Donte Ellison is not. As the new kid at his private school, Middlefield Prep, he is seen and judged for the colour of his skin, while also being constantly regarded with suspicion and harassed. His classmate and primary bully, Alan, taunts him by chanting and calling him “black brother.” On the other hand, his brother, Trey, is lighter skinned and presents as white. While Trey and Donte are both biracial, Trey is the popular kid that is accepted by his peers and teachers.

Rhodes’s narrative opens with Donte being accused for throwing a pencil during class. It quickly escalates to the police being called and Donte subsequently arrested. This unjust incident eventually leads Donte to take a stand against Alan and his bullying. The plan that Donte establishes is to learn and challenge Alan at fencing. What ensues is a journey of the self where Donte learns the importance of his family and community, of the power of forgiveness, and of embracing his identity.

The novel is written through the eyes of Donte in first person point-of-view. While Donte’s thoughts fill the page, his point-of-view is quite expressive and verges on poetic. Emotions are exposed unabashedly as the reader gains insight to Donte’s perception of the world. As Donte’s perspective is able to highlight injustices that happen in the everyday, the result is that difficult issues and topics are presented in a digestible format for a younger audience. Rhodes shares universal messages of acceptance and friendship, but she also focuses in on other important issues like racism and the school-to-prison pipeline. Rhodes brings up these topics and explores them, while seamlessly interweaving them to be part of the compelling and, ultimately, heartwarming story.

Though the novel deals with difficult subjects, Rhodes still is able to maintain a sense of fun and joy through her depiction of certain relationships and in her inclusion of fencing. The positive relationships in Donte’s life are strong and moving. The characters that are portrayed in these relationships are dynamic and have clear motivation for their choices. Fencing, another main highlight of the novel, quickly becomes a safe haven for Donte and allows for a space where he can build-up confidence. Rhodes presents a well-researched depiction of the sport, and is able to connect her descriptions of fencing with the various interactions and interior struggle that is portrayed throughout the work.

While essentially a middle-grade novel, Black Brother, Black Brother is an enjoyable read for all ages because Rhodes creates a lasting impact, but for young readers, she presents complex and real-life situations in a way that is still incredibly hopeful. Overall, through its enthralling storytelling and characters, Black Brother, Black Brother will hold your attention, open the door for discussion, and maybe even teach you something new.

Black Brother, Black Brother is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be picking up Black Brother, Black Brother? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Review: Light Chaser by Peter F. Hamilton and Gareth L. Powell

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.

Donte wishes he were invisible. As one of the few black boys at Middlefield Prep, he feels as if he is constantly swimming in whiteness. Most of the students don’t look like him. They don’t like him either. Dubbed the “Black Brother,” Donte’s teachers and classmates make it clear they wish he were more like his lighter skinned brother, Trey. Quiet, obedient.

When an incident with “King” Alan leads to Donte’s arrest and suspension, he knows the only way to get even is to beat the king of the school at his own game: fencing. With the help of a former Olympic fencer, Donte embarks on a journey to carve out a spot on Middlefield Prep’s fencing team and maybe learn something about himself along the way.

Who is the main character in the book Black Brother Black Brother?

The main character, Donte, learns and grows so much throughout the story. I also thought his brother, Trey, grew a lot as well and learned how to be a better friend, ally, and brother. The supporting characters were great as well. I especially loved Donte's coach and how his experiences inspired Donte.

Who is the bully in black brother black brother?

It is clear that the brothers are treated differently at school because they look different and Donte is bullied by a boy at school called Alan, who is the best fencer on the school fencing team. Alan makes Donte feel uncomfortable and he is racist towards him.

What is the setting in black brother black brother?

Brothers Donte and Trey adjust to a move from New York City to suburban Newton, Massachusetts, and a switch from public to private school. Their biracial family confronts racism that affects their otherwise privileged life.

What is the main conflict in black brother black brother?

Donte presents as black and is bullied and ostracized for it – by both students and staff. Taunted as the “black brother,” Donte struggles against not only the overt racism he directly encounters but also the subversive racism that permeates the privileged institution.