Miracle's Boys

1. BIOGRAPHY
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2000. Miracle’s Boys. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399231137

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Miracle’s Boy is a sad but heart-warming story of three brother’s struggle to stay together after the death of their diabetic mother. With the death of their mother, each brother deals with her death in different ways. Thirteen year old Lafayette blames himself for the death of his mother after finding her on the bed in a diabetic coma. Ty’ree puts his plans of attending MIT on hold so he can raise and keep his two younger brothers together. He also carries around the guilt of not being able to save his dad from drowning several years ago in the park. Charlie, the middle brother has just returned from two years in reform school bitter, angry and getting involved with a gang. Charlie soon brings trouble that could be the cause of his families’ separation but he turns to his brothers for help. Despite all the hurtful and mean things Charlie has done, his brothers come together to help Charlie and keep from becoming wards of the state.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Miracle’s Boys is a heart wrenching story about three brother’s struggle to stay together and survive in New York after the death of their mother. The story is narrated by Lafayette, the youngest of the three brothers. Readers will be drawn to Lafayette because of the personal feelings and experiences that he divulges about himself, brothers and his mother. One such experience is when Lafayette is taken to a Psychiatrist to help him with his mother’s death. When he goes he states, “I wasn’t afraid, ‘cause the warm blanket smell felt like it was covering me up, protecting me.” (pg.84) Lafayette blames himself for not helping his mother although there was nothing he could do and Ty’ree which is the older brother carries the guilt of sending his dad to his death by helping a lady and her dog that has fallen in the water, therefore causing their dad to die of hyperthermia. Charlie, the middle brother carries the guilt of his mother remembering him last with hand cuffs on instead of sitting on the couch with her making her laugh.
There are cultural markers sprinkled throughout the story, starting with the urban city and African – American dialect that is used by the brothers. This is evident with statements like, “How he gonna sharpen it on the floor, yo?”, “Then let’s step.” And “Yo back.” Other cultural markers include the exposure to gangs and wanting to become a rapper which is associated with teens that are in the larger urban cities, LaFayette explaining that his Aunt called him beautiful so he looks at himself in the mirror and describes himself as “dark and curly headed with brown eyes.” Another marker is when LaFayette realized they were poor and how they struggled to have just enough to pay the rent and put food on the table.
Woodson does an excellent job in writing a story that shows the progression of the three brother’s characters from grief stricken, being involved in crime, blaming oneself for a death to a new beginning and hope for the future.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “This compelling novel about three African-American brothers is oddly reminiscent of S. E. Hinton's early novels, with its streetwise, self-sufficient orphans. Although there is little action in a story that is told almost entirely through dialogue and thirteen-year-old Lafayette's thoughts and memories, the narrator's voice maintains a tone of sweet melancholy that is likely to hold the attention of thoughtful young teens.”

School Library Journal: “The 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.-“

Kirkus Review: “Readers will be caught up in this searing and gritty story of their struggle; Woodson composes a plot without easy answers, and creates characters for whom predictable behavior is all but impossible. A decent, involving novel about a family struggling to remain intact in spite of tremendous obstacles.”

5. CONNECTIONS
Woodson, Jacqueline. ON THE OTHER SIDE. ISBN 9780399231162
Woodson, Jacqueline. IF YOU COME SOFTLY. ISBN 9780142406014
Woodson, Jacqueline. HUSH. ISBN 978014240607