crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Review copy: ARC from publisher
Review posted at Rich in Color http://richincolor.com/2014/09/author-spotlight-coe-booth/
Review posted at Rich in Color http://richincolor.com/2014/09/author-spotlight-coe-booth/
afro8921's review against another edition
4.0
Jarret is an eleven-year old boy used to dealing with foster kids. His mother is mainly takes in babies who have been removed from abusive parents. Jarret gets the shock of his life when 13 year old Kevon comes to stay with them. Ms. Booth covers the topics of police profiling, young love, rivalries, and family dynamics in a brilliant way. This book would be a great book for reluctant readers who like realistic television drama.
iuangina's review against another edition
4.0
My only issue is the repeated use of ‘real’ kid in the text.
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
4.0
I’m SO happy this book was chosen for Oregon Battle of the Books for next year. I think that this such a wonderful book. It may be my favorite middle grade I’ve read this year!
kellerm's review against another edition
4.0
Good diversity book. Probably more kids than we realize could relate to the issues in the book.
malaynachang's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the ending, and I liked how it was very real to life. I think that the author is an amazing writer who portrays the problems of kids' lives in a very realistic and interesting way.
Longer review on iRead later on :)
www.iread2016.blogspot.com
Longer review on iRead later on :)
www.iread2016.blogspot.com
yapha's review against another edition
5.0
Jarrett's mother has always taken in temporary foster babies, until more permanent homes can be found for them. This time is different though, because 23-month-old Treasure has an older brother who comes with her. Eleven year-old Jarrett does not want to share his room with twelve-year-old Kevon, and he especially does not want to share his friends or his summer with this boy who seems to be naturally better than him at everything. As they each try to deal with their own issues, how far is too far in hurting each other? And can they work together when it is important? Highly recommended for grades 5-8.
stenaros's review against another edition
4.0
You know what I love? When books take me somewhere I don't usually hang out. You know what else I love? Really complex characters, and lots of them. Other things I love? Plots that aren't overly contrived, but full of conundrums. And also? Kids in books acting exactly their age. You know what I don't usually like? Middle readers. But this middle reader was great! I marvel how Booth crammed so much plot into so few pages.
emdoux's review against another edition
4.0
LPLD 5th societal issues booktalk
Jarrett’s mom is a foster mom – not his – but sometimes, it seems like every other kid in the world. Usually she takes in abused babies, nursing them back to health before they are sent along in the System. Babies, Jarrett could handle. He understood. But when his mom brings home a baby with an older brother attached – just older than Jarrett himself – he thinks she’s gone too far.
It’s ridiculous that everyone expects Jarrett to just drop everything in his life and become best friends with this new kid, Kevon. To share his room, his friends, his activities. Jarrett has enough going on right now – he’s nearly failing out of summer school and going to have to repeat a grade, he might be getting a stepdad finally, and he and his best friend are working on producing a movie together. He’s got no time for Kevon as a friend, OR as a brother.
Jarrett’s mom says that Kevon’s only going to stay for a day – but that quickly turns into a week, and before Jarrett knows it, his mom’s enrolling Kevon in school – it looks like he’s going to stay for a while. Jarrett knows he has to do something about Kevon… but what can he do? Soon he and Kevon are getting into fights, Kevon is stealing, and things are unraveling in Jarrett’s household faster than he can realize.
Kinda Like Brothers isn’t a friends and family story that minces words and has a perfectly happy ending – just like real life. There aren’t always “happily ever afters” in the foster system, or for minority children. But maybe somehow, Jarrett and Kevon will work it out.
Jarrett’s mom is a foster mom – not his – but sometimes, it seems like every other kid in the world. Usually she takes in abused babies, nursing them back to health before they are sent along in the System. Babies, Jarrett could handle. He understood. But when his mom brings home a baby with an older brother attached – just older than Jarrett himself – he thinks she’s gone too far.
It’s ridiculous that everyone expects Jarrett to just drop everything in his life and become best friends with this new kid, Kevon. To share his room, his friends, his activities. Jarrett has enough going on right now – he’s nearly failing out of summer school and going to have to repeat a grade, he might be getting a stepdad finally, and he and his best friend are working on producing a movie together. He’s got no time for Kevon as a friend, OR as a brother.
Jarrett’s mom says that Kevon’s only going to stay for a day – but that quickly turns into a week, and before Jarrett knows it, his mom’s enrolling Kevon in school – it looks like he’s going to stay for a while. Jarrett knows he has to do something about Kevon… but what can he do? Soon he and Kevon are getting into fights, Kevon is stealing, and things are unraveling in Jarrett’s household faster than he can realize.
Kinda Like Brothers isn’t a friends and family story that minces words and has a perfectly happy ending – just like real life. There aren’t always “happily ever afters” in the foster system, or for minority children. But maybe somehow, Jarrett and Kevon will work it out.