Plot Summary
Three brothers are learning to survive after losing both their father and mother. Surrounded by a world of gangs and violence, the boys have many tough decisions in their young lives.
Critical Analysis
The three main characters in Miracle's Boys are three brothers: twelve year old Lafayette, fifteen year old Charlie, and twenty-one year old Ty'ree. The story revolves around their relationship with each other as they cope with growing up as orphans. The story is told from Lafayette's point-of-view, who still struggles to come to terms with feelings of guilt for his mother's death two years prior from insulin shock. Charlie, who spent more than two years in a juvenile detention center for robbing a candy store, is dealing with anger and despair. Ty'ree gave up a scholarship to MIT to go to work full-time so he could support his brothers.
Cultural markers are scattered throughout the story. Milagro, which is Spanish for "miracle," was the boys' mother. She was from Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Although all the dialogue is in English, Lafayette mentions that the boys sometimes speak Spanish to help remember their mother. Charlie takes his curly hair and light brown skin from her. Lafayette describes himself as much darker with kinky hair, like his father who was African American. Lafayette never knew his father because he died before he was born. He died after saving a white lady and her dog from drowning in a frozen lake. Charlie felt that his father's death was meaningless because he died saving a dog and a white person. In his opinion, Brothers, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, and Chinese were all that mattered. White boys were "not even worth mentioning."
The culturally-colored dialogue included phrases such as: "W's up," "Yo," "gangbangers," and "brother to brother." "Brother to brother" was Ty'ree's way of telling Lafayette "I love you." Lafayette mentioned that Ty'ree had worn his hair in locks, but he cut them off when he went to work full time. Charlie had aspirations of becoming a rapper like his idols to whom he listened. Charlie's outfit was described as a plaid shirt and baggy jeans. He is beaten up badly in a gang initiation. Later, his friend Aaron, is seen wearing a red-and-blue scarf tied around his head which signified gang colors.
Cultural markers are scattered throughout the story. Milagro, which is Spanish for "miracle," was the boys' mother. She was from Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Although all the dialogue is in English, Lafayette mentions that the boys sometimes speak Spanish to help remember their mother. Charlie takes his curly hair and light brown skin from her. Lafayette describes himself as much darker with kinky hair, like his father who was African American. Lafayette never knew his father because he died before he was born. He died after saving a white lady and her dog from drowning in a frozen lake. Charlie felt that his father's death was meaningless because he died saving a dog and a white person. In his opinion, Brothers, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, and Chinese were all that mattered. White boys were "not even worth mentioning."
The culturally-colored dialogue included phrases such as: "W's up," "Yo," "gangbangers," and "brother to brother." "Brother to brother" was Ty'ree's way of telling Lafayette "I love you." Lafayette mentioned that Ty'ree had worn his hair in locks, but he cut them off when he went to work full time. Charlie had aspirations of becoming a rapper like his idols to whom he listened. Charlie's outfit was described as a plaid shirt and baggy jeans. He is beaten up badly in a gang initiation. Later, his friend Aaron, is seen wearing a red-and-blue scarf tied around his head which signified gang colors.
Miracle's Boys takes place in present-day Manhattan. They live in a poor neighborhood which is infested with gangs and violence. Woodson divides her story between narration by Lafayette and dialogue between the three brothers. The tone of the book is ridden with a sense of impending doom. Ty'ree is doing his best to keep his brothers together but Charlie seems to be fighting just as hard to tear them apart. The struggle of the brothers throughout the story brings on a life of its own. The characters, and the story itself, never waver from their authenticity.
All of the boys must cope with insecurities and doubts. Ty'ree and Lafayette carry the heavy burden of seeing a parent die. Charlie feels helpless because he feels he was not good enough to be with either parent when they were reaching their fateful end. Readers of all backgrounds can relate to the feelings of loss, and perhaps guilt over what was or wasn't said or done. Ultimately, Miracle's Boys is a story of hope. Although tragedy strikes the lives of many, one can overcome. All the boys' wounds, caused by the pain of loss, the anger of helplessness, and despair of hopelessness, are healed when they learn to rely on each other and live life "brother to brother."
All of the boys must cope with insecurities and doubts. Ty'ree and Lafayette carry the heavy burden of seeing a parent die. Charlie feels helpless because he feels he was not good enough to be with either parent when they were reaching their fateful end. Readers of all backgrounds can relate to the feelings of loss, and perhaps guilt over what was or wasn't said or done. Ultimately, Miracle's Boys is a story of hope. Although tragedy strikes the lives of many, one can overcome. All the boys' wounds, caused by the pain of loss, the anger of helplessness, and despair of hopelessness, are healed when they learn to rely on each other and live life "brother to brother."
Awards and Honors
Los Angeles Times Book Prize
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Sequoyah Book Award Master List, Young Adult Category
Sunshine State Master List (grades 6-8), 2003-2004
Georgia Children’s Book Award nominee, 2003-2004
Woodson has been awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement
Review Excerpts
"Hope is a good thing, and Woodson hands it to her readers like a gift at the conclusion of this emotionally cathartic, gracefully constructed family story." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, May 2000
"Woodson's characterizations and dialogue are right on. The dynamics among the brothers are beautifully rendered." — Edward Sullivan, New York Public Library
"Lafayette, 12, tells his family story in a voice that's funny, smart, and troubled. It's a story of poverty and grief, of family secrets and brotherly love." — Booklist Review
Other Books by Jacqueline Woodson
After Tupac & D Foster
Coming on Home Soon
Feathers
Visit her website for more information: http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/
Book Connections
Darius & Twig by Walter Dean Myers
Here in Harlem: Poems in Many Voices by Walter Dean Myers
Bang! by Sharon G. Flake
Connection Activities
- Draw a picture of someone you have lost. Share your picture with the class and describe what this person meant to you.
- Write a poem or short story explaining what you would do if both your parents died. How would you feel? How would you survive? Who would take care of you?
What a heart break for these boys!! So glad it is a story of hope!!
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