12 Brown Boys - Softcover

Mr. Creative/Omar Tyree

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1933491124 ISBN 13: 9781933491127

Publisher: Just Us Books, Inc., 2008

Synopsis

Best-selling author Omar Tyree makes his children's book debut with 12 Brown Boys, a collection of short stories for middle readers that focus on the lives of Black pre-teen boys. Readers will connect with Tyree's engaging characters. There is Red Head Mike who hates his nickname, but hates his red hair even more, and Chestnut, who is sent to live with relatives down south to keep him out of trouble in his Brooklyn neighborhood. There is Santa Monica super kid William, whose status as a scholar and entrepreneur has even his best friends hating him, and Wayne, who resents his role as the oldest child until a tragedy strikes the family. Tyree has assembled a wide range of characters that reflect the diversity of experiences of Black boys - characters that are funny, serious, edgy, street-wise, studious, and all unforgettable.

About this title

About the Author:

A New York Times bestselling author of books for the adult market, Omar Tyree is a winner of a 2001 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work and a 2006 Phillis Wheatley Literary Award. He has published 16 novels and five anthologies. 12 Brown Boys is his first book for young readers.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4–7—Tyree may bill himself as "Mr. Creative," but his debut for young readers leaves some room for doubt. This collection of unrelated short stories is about 12 African-American preteens who find themselves in a variety of situations and settings. The selections are unoriginal and feature stereotypical characters, such as the loud-mouthed New York hoodlum who is sent to spend the summer with relatives in "Summer Down South" to the sports star (football, basketball, and baseball are all featured) in "Born Leader" and "Big Dreams." Despite the author's attempt to show growth, the characters seem one-dimensional, working solely within their stereotypes. Though they undergo a "change of heart," it feels hollow rather than sincere since most of the boys are helped out by sage elders who happen to step in at just the right time. Their preachy, moralistic viewpoints are eagerly embraced by the boys and result in happy "Chicken-Soup-for-the-Soul" endings. Even if young people are initially attracted to the graphics on the cover, none of the stories is engaging enough to keep them turning the pages.—H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL
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About this edition

• Publisher: Just Us Books, Inc.
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1933491124
• ISBN 13: 9781933491127
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 196