Oh, Brother! [Hardcover]

Nikki Grimes (Author), Mike Benny (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 26, 2007 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

It's bad enough that Xavier's new stepbrother, Chris, has moved into Xavier's room, but now it looks like he's also trying to steal Mami by being the perfect kid.

Chris's "Mr. Perfect" act may fool grown-ups, but Xavier can see straight through it.

He promises himself that he'll never become real brothers with such a fake.

No brothers allowed!

Ever!

. . . right?

In twenty powerful poems, two strangers learn to become brothers. Nikki Grimes captures the struggles—and eventual sweetness—of bringing together a family.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nikki Grimes began penning poetry at the age of six. Her many award-winning titles include the picture books Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman, which won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, and Meet Danitra Brown, which won a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. Coretta Scott King Author Honors went to her novels The Road to Paris, Jazmin's Notebook, and Dark Sons, and her novel Bronx Masquerade won the Coretta Scott King Author Award. She lives in Corona, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (December 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688172946
• ISBN-13: 978-0688172947
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,156,831 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nikki Grimes conveyed the fire-in-the-belly fervor of a Harlem girl who knows she was born to write in Jazmin's Notebook, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. In My Man Blue, a Booklist Editor's Choice and Newsweek Children's Books of the Year selection, her artful words expressed a boy's journey from skepticism to trust. And now with Bronx Masquerade she presents a rich chorus of eighteen voices, singing openly about ideas, feelings, and questions--things that open minds, invite debate, provide release. A recent Booklist review proclaims: "As always, Grimes gives young people exactly what they're looking for--real characters who show them they are not alone."An accomplished poet, novelist, journalist, and educator, Ms. Grimes was born and raised in New York City and now lives in the Los Angeles area.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars blended families & new stepbrothers, January 20, 2010

By 

Holly (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oh, Brother! (Hardcover)

When one boy's dad marries the other boy's mom, the two main characters become stepbrothers. At first, the narrator (the older boy) is determined not to like his new stepbrother. This story brought tears to my eyes, as the two boys begin to relate to one another and the narrator begins to feel empathy, and then friendship, for his new stepbrother. I recommend it as an excellent book to use to talk with kids about blended families. It is also a wonderful book to read to any child to teach about empathy and to teach that there is often a "silver lining" in having to adapt to the unexpected.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations, sweet story, February 15, 2012

By 

bcd - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oh, Brother! (Hardcover)

Loved this book - beautiful illustrations and prose. My kids loved the details of the illustrations. They find something new in the pictures each time we read. The story is sweet and kids can totally get it. Highly recommend.