We Could Be Brothers - Hardcover

Derrick Barnes

3.68

227 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0545135737 ISBN 13: 9780545135733

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2010

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In this much anticipated middle grade novel by author Derrick Barnes (Ruby & the Booker Boys) two thirteen- year-old African-American boys become friends during a three day stint in an after school suspension. They were both involved in two unrelated incidents with the same person, the resident menace at Alain Locke Middle, Tariq Molten.

Robeson Battlefield is from a two parent household, where both parents are highly successful and educated. Academic achievement, social consciousness and responsibility are reinforced daily in the Battlefield household.

Pacino Clapton comes from a single parent household; his mom works two fulltime jobs. Pacino has a ton of responsibilities, including cutting hair to help pay bills, and taking care of his twin five- year-old sisters.

During this three day span, the young men visit each others home, and "chop it up" on a multitude of subjects including respect of self and Black women, the dire state of hip-hop music, the use of the dreaded "N" word, and masculinity.

Before long, the three boys are on a collision course. And when they do intersect, their lives are changed forever.

We Could Brothers addresses the presence and lack of positive male leadership in the home, and how it dictates the way young African American men view themselves, each other, and the world around them. Mentorship, brotherhood, and an emphasis on that old adage "each-one-teach-one" are very real and tangible themes in this new YA literary masterpiece.

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About the Author:

Derrick Barnes is the author of several acclaimed books, including the Ruby and the Booker Boys series: BRAND-NEW SCHOOL, BRAVE NEW RUBY; TRIVIA QUEEN, THIRD GRADE SUPREME; THE SLUMBER PARTY PAYBACK; and RUBY FLIPS FOR ATTENTION, published by Scholastic. Barnes’s YA novel THE MAKING OF DR. TRUELOVE was an ALA Quick Picks selection, and has been hailed by the New York Public Library as one of the 100 Best Books for the Teen Age. Derrick and his wife, Tinka, reside in Kansas City, MO, with their three sons.

Form We Could Be Brothers

2:33 PM
Alain Locke Junior High-The Bermuda Hallway

Today was so embarrassing. I didn't even tell my dad. Matter of fact, I lied to him and told him that for the next three days I'd be staying after school to work on a science fair project. Yeah right. He'd be so disappointed if he knew the truth.

All day I thought about taking that long dreaded stroll down The Bermuda Hallway, then down to the school basement. On the ground floor, right next to the boys' locker room is a set of stairs that are narrow, musty, and so hot. Some say there are kids who've gone down, but have never come back up. It's a stupid school legend that I can't say is true or not.

Some kids travel The Bermuda Hallway like they do the daily path to their own homeroom. That ain't me, but I guess it will be me for the next three days.

As soon as I walked through the raggedy, darkened doorway, everything got quiet. The laughing, arguing, cussing, and horse play slowly began to fade until I heard nothing but my own footsteps.

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