A. Biliography:
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2000. Miracle's Boys. Putman Juvenile. ISBN 0399232237.
B. Plot Summary:
The story is told by thirteen year-old Lafayette. Lafayette lost both of his parents. He lives with his two older brothers, Ty'ree and Charlie. Ty'ree is the oldest and he is the legal guardian for both of his younger brothers. They live in New York City. Charlie has recently returned from a juvenile-detention center. He was caught robbing the local candy store. Charlie has changed since returning from the juvenile-detention center and Lafayette has nicknamed him"New Charlie," but he does not call him this in front of anyone else.
Lafayette struggles with the death of his mother on a daily basis. His mom died as a result of her diabetes. Unfortunately, Lafayette was the only one home and he found her in her bed and tried to get help, but it was too late. He has frequent conversations with his mother regarding the many problems the three boys are facing trying to grow up in New York City without parents. As Lafayette struggles with the loss of his mother, Charlie and Ty'ree are facing their own battles as well. But the main mission of Ty'ree is to keep he and his two bothers together as a family.
C. Critical Analysis:
Miracle's Boys describes in brutal honesty the reality of what might happen to three boys trying to grow up on their own. There are three pivotal themes in African American literature that this book covers: families and their loyalties and obligations to each other, love and its meanings and manifestations, and extraordinary events that cause unlikely heroes (Vardell, 2008).
The first theme families and there loyalties and obligations to each other continue throughout the entire book. Ty'ree gives up his opportunity to attend MIT and becomes the sole supporter of the family when his mother passes away. His dreams for the future are put on hold because of his loyalty and obligation to his younger brothers. Love and its meanings and manifestations is also a theme throughout this book. The love Lafayette has for both his brothers, even though it is a struggle with Charlie, continue to be forefront in his mind. Also, the love he has for his deceased mother is evident throughout the book. Finally, extraordinary events that cause unlikely heroes plays an important role in this when thinking about Ty'ree's character. The scarifies he continues to make to keep his family together is inspiring to anyone who reads this book.
Miracle's Boys has strong three-dimensional characters. It also is a meaningful story that reflects a range of African American values and lifestyles (Vardell, 2008). Interesting enough, the range of values is demonstrated within one family with the three main characters. Miracle's Boys is an honest, interesting book that portrays a family that is determined to stay together in good times and bad.
D. Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: "This narrative is told through dialogue and Lafayette's introspections so there is not a lot of action, but readers should find this story of tough, self-sufficient young men to be powerful and engaging."
Publisher's Weekly: "As a stabilizing, caring force, oldest brother Ty'ree works hard to hold the family together in the face of great personal sacrifice. Woodson's realistic situations and dialogue are given more resonance via Hill's comfortable delivery. And her message of love and hope winning out shines through loud and clear when Hill rises to the emotional, but never sappy, conclusion."
E. Connections:
Look for these other books regarding a wide variety of family dynamics:
Woodson, Jacqueline. Hush. ISBN 0142406007.
Johnson, Angela. The First Part Last. ISBN 0689849230.
Woodson, Jacqueline. If You Come Softly. ISBN 0399231129.
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