TITLE: Kinda Like Brothers
AUTHOR: Coe Booth
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press
PUBLISHED DATE: August 26, 2014
ISBN: 978-0545224963
PAGES: 256
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!
This story pulled at my heartstrings. These characters were real, the voice was authentic, there is so much heart, love, and empathy...I don't even know where to begin.
Jarrett is an around the way kid from Brick City, NJ - or what you may call Newark. His mom is a foster mom - usually to babies, but his mom has just taken in a brother/sister duo - Kevon and his toddler sister Treasure. Jarrett has to share his room with the pair, and just when he thinks he can't take anymore, he finds out he's been labeled as slow in school and has to go to summer school. Kevon is a little bigger and has an attitude, and Jarrett just has to know WHAT is the deal with this kid...what happened to him, and what has brought him and his sister to his mom's apartment in the middle of the night. Every character, even the toddler had layers. Booth writes with a depth and perception often missed in middle-grade books. Though intended for the younger set, this book definitely reads up. I was completely engrossed in the story and finished it quickly. There's so much to love about this book, and frankly - I don't think it's possible for me to adequately describe how much I love this book.
Recommendation: Must Read!
Audience: 4th grade and up