Kinda Like Brothers

by Coe Booth Narrated by John Clarence Stewart

Overview

Jarrett doesn't trust Kevon. But he's got to share a room with him anyway. 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 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? From award-winning author Coe Booth, Kinda Like Brothers is the story of two boys who really don't get along - but have to find a way to figure it out.

Editorial Reviews

The New York Times Book Review - Rita Williams-Garcia

…a painfully funny story about younger children in foster care and their ersatz siblings…Booth lends a deft touch to…the sorts of struggles experienced by tweens everywhere.

From the Publisher

Praise for Coe Booth's Kinda Like Brothers:"Excellent." —Booklist"Realistic and engaging . . . A solid story about dealing with problems that threaten to overwhelm and the importance putting one's own personal pain aside to understand the pain of another." —School Library JournalPraise for Coe Booth's Bronxwood:"Readers who have been with Tyrell from the beginning as well as those meeting him for the first time will be utterly invested in his future." —Kirkus Reviews"Tyrell tells his own story in language that never misses in its gritty authenticity." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"A compelling tale of a teen still trying to make the right choices despite the painful consequences." —School Library Journal"Booth paints a vivid picture of urban African American life." —VOYAPraise for Coe Booth's Tyrell:A 2007 LA Times Book Prize Winner for Young Adult FictionAn ALA Best Book for Young Adults"A gritty and gripping first novel." —The New York Times Book Review* "Heartbreakingly realistic. . . . Unlike many books reflecting the contemporary street scene, this one is more than just a pat situation with a glib resolution; it's filled with surprising twists and turns that continue to the end." —Booklist, starred review"The definitive tale of the modern African American urban youth." —VOYA

Kirkus Reviews

2014-06-29
Booth offers a glimpse of gritty inner-city life for a middle-grade audience through the eyes of 11-year-old Jarrett. Jarrett's failing summer school, making an ignominious repetition of sixth grade seem all too likely. His mother, fine at nurturing a long series of foster babies, is surprisingly oblivious to his floundering attempts to manage the schoolwork and his resulting discouragement, an emotional distance she also maintains with strong male role model Terrence, her boyfriend. Then she takes in Kevon, mature beyond his 12 years, and his toddler sister, Treasure. Jarrett resentfully shares his room and life with Kevon, but he also spies on him, discovering much about his foster brother's mysterious, unhappy past. At the same time, he and best friend Ennis are cleverly crafting a horror film trailer at the community center that plays a major, positive role in local kids' lives. Ennis is exploring his growing realization that "I don't like girls, and I don't think I ever will," a revelation Jarrett sensitively accepts, in sharp, not fully explained contrast to his increasingly bitter, self-indulgent conflict with Kevon. The many plotlines keep the narrative brisk, enhanced by believable dialogue and nicely rounded characters, even though their motivations don't always feel fully justified.Jarrett's frank view of the inner-city perils he faces is optimistically balanced by the strengths offered by family, friends and his community. (Fiction. 8-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178719541
Publisher:	Lantern Audio
Publication date:	10/27/2014
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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