Book Review: Miracle’s Boys

Miracle’s Boys by Jacqueline Woodson
Publisher: Puffin
Paperback Release Date: 2001
Age Level: Middle Grade Fiction
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Publisher’s Description:

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 thirteen-year old Lafayette, not a hostile stranger just back from doing time 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 against them.

This book was heartbreaking in the most wonderful way. It wasn’t heavy handed or overly dramatic. It was a realistic portrayal of growing up poor in an urban area. The aspect I liked most about this book is that the three main characters are boys and yet they have FEELINGS. Real emotions. They may not show them outwardly but they’re there. I think that boys reading this will appreciate knowing that they themselves are not the only ones with feelings and insecurities. Even the tough middle brother with a criminal history feels deep sadness, not just anger (the one emotion boys are allowed to express in this world without fear of being made fun of).

This book has won several awards, including the Coretta Scott King award, most deservedly so. I recommend it to anyone – young and old – but to especially boys who want to add some variety to their reading life apart from the goofy world of Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants.

For more reviews of books for children and teens, check out Booking Mama’s feature, Kid Konnection, posted on Saturdays. If you’d like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children’s books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, you can go to her site to leave a comment and your link .