Nothing is like it used to be. If it were, Mama would still be alive. Papa wouldn’t have died. And Charlie would still be the same old loving big brother to 13-year-old Lafayette, not a hostile stranger, just back from doing time at a correctional facility. Oldest brother, Ty’ree, would have gone to college, instead of having to work full-time to support the three of them. And Lafayette wouldn’t be so full of questions, like why Mama had to die, why Charlie hates him so much now, and how they’re all supposed to survive these times together when so much seems to be set against them. Jacqueline Woodson brings us the story of three remarkable young men—brothers who have only each other to rely on and must decide whether they’ll work with that or let it tear them apart.
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"This book is mostly about a boy named Lafayette whos dealing with his mother's death, and one of his brother being in Jail. Through out the story Lafayette blames him self for his mothers death since she died in his arms. His brother Charlie comes back from Jail different from how he use to, and Lafayette treats Charlie different because he feels that since Charlie was in Jail he's a criminal. But soon at the end Lafayette finds out that Charlie robbed the store to get money to take his mother to Puerto Rico because he knew how much she love it there. But i recommend this book because i could really rated to how the main character Lafayette was feeling and how he felt like sometimes people would blame things on him with out it being his fault."
— Shaneel (5 out of 5 stars)
“There is a lot of pain in this book, but Woodson delivers it like an ode, strung together from lyrical images that reach inside readers as if to remind them that there is a beauty in grief.”
— Children’s Literature“As usual, Woodson's characterizations and dialogue are right on. The dynamics among the brothers are beautifully rendered…Powerful and engaging.”
— School Library Journal" There is a movie to this book and the movie just as well as the book is really sad but it is as well good "
— Tiara, 2/16/2014" Inner city boys are left to raise themselves in the inner city. Reads like a modern version of The Outsiders. High Interest. Lexile 660 "
— Laura, 2/3/2014" This is one of those rare cases in which the show/movie is better than the book. I loved the mini series on The N & was very excited to read the book but felt left down. It's definitely good but not as good as I thought the show was. "
— Shannoniggy, 1/5/2014" This book is about 3 brothers who lost there parents and have to find a way to stay together. they have to deal with social workers their aunt who want to watch over them and their brother charlie always getting into trouble. I like this book becaus it shows that when you feel like you don't have anybody to count on their will always be family. the lesson i think this book is trying to show is that when you stick together you will alsways see the light at the end of the tunnel.I would recommend this book to people who like reading about family, friendship,and about life. "
— Miriam, 1/4/2014" this book was mad boring..it made me want to kill myself when i was readin it... "
— Shana, 12/23/2013" This fictious story is similar to S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders. Ty'ree is 21 years old, and after his mother died in an accident, he is forced to take care of his two younger brothers. Charlie is the middle brother, 15 years, and he gets arrested and thrown in jail, leaving Ty'ree alone at the house with Lafayette (12 years old). Charlie comes back to the house from jail and has changed severely. Ty'ree got along well while Charlie was gone, but now that he is back, everyone is going to have to make changes. Ty'ree and Lafayette want Charlie to clean up his act and are wiling to help him no matter what the cost is. The book is written in almost all conversation. There is extremely little narration, just the brothers conversing with each other. It is through their conversations that you learn about the individual characters. This literary approach is fresh and interesting. Instead of a narrator always telling the reader what is going on in a characters mind, the reader is forced to suppose what is going on in a character's mind based off of what they are saying. I believe that all young readers will be interested in a reading these conversations and gaining insight into these relationships. There are difficult themes like dealing with loss, and accepting a significant responsibility at a young age, that I think people will be able to connect with. "
— Justin, 12/22/2013" This book is very intrseting. i enjoyed reading the book to my family and myself. "
— Pryce-gary.forbes, 12/16/2013" this is a great book for older elementary students and maybe even 7th graders. "
— Alisha, 12/14/2013" Just read this last night. A quick and touching story of family and brothers trying to hold together under tragic circumstances "
— Karen, 12/9/2013" I enjoyed this book very much. I especially liked How the three brothers stuck together and rode through their struggles together, even in times that it was extremely easy for them to go their seperate way.. "
— Besart, 2/17/2012" A sad story of brotherly love in the wake or their parents' deaths. Woodson is such a master at painting the urban landscape of young people. A beautiful written book. "
— Marcia, 1/5/2012" This was very well written. Caution it has some 4 letter words. "
— Jo, 9/8/2011" This was an excellent book an i also enjoyed it. This book is about three teenagers that lived in the world full of difficulty and hardships. They were able to make a change. They worked hard together and made a change "
— Kenya, 5/12/2011" It's about 3 brothers who are orphans. One of the brothers has just gotten out of a juvenile offender's school after commiting robbery and is acting very meanly towards his siblings. The story is about the brothers understanding each other and finding a way to care for each other again. "
— Renuka, 2/6/2011" the last few chapters were so sad and i actually started to cry "
— Analia, 11/16/2010" <strong>Powerful book.</strong> It relates to my life alot and i understand what the boys are going through. I lost both of my parents in tragic ways, I didnt ever think was possible. there is a fulfilling message in this book. <u>You have to read it!</u> "
— Deangela, 10/28/2010" A sad story of brotherly love in the wake or their parents' deaths. Woodson is such a master at painting the urban landscape of young people. A beautiful written book. "
— Marcia, 9/21/2010" it was sadd but understanding "
— Wlfgrl, 9/8/2010" Three brothers, Charlie, Ty'ree, and Lafayette, struggle with the loss of their parents and the harsh realities of what it takes to survive on their own. Coping with death is a unique experience for each brother. They eventually learn that having each other is what is most important. "
— Eileen, 8/28/2010" The story of three brothers whose parents have both died. One has just returned from a juvenile facility, and his anger at missing his mom's death makes it difficult for the family to unite. "
— Denelle, 7/11/2010Jacqueline Woodson, named national Young People’s Poet Laureate, is a multiple-award-winning author of more than two dozen acclaimed books for young adults, middle graders, and children. She won the 2019 Indie Champion Award for advocacy of independent bookstores. Among her many other honors are the National Book Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, the NAACP Image Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, among others. She is the 2018 winner of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for “substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.” She was the 2013 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
Blair Underwood is an author and award-winning actor, director, and producer. He lives in Los Angeles, California.