Who Will Tell My Brother? [Hardcover]

Marlene Carvell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2002

Evan is a typical high-school student who suffers the same worries and anxieties as his peers . . . and then some. Determined to sway high-school officials to remove disparaging Indian mascots, he assumes a struggle that spirals him onto a soul-searching journey and exposes him to a barrage of bullying, taunts, and escalating violence. Marlene Carvell's striking first novel is a timely look at a true story of a mixed-race teen caught up in an exploration of his past, his culture, and his identity.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-Up Through lyrical free-verse poems that span his senior year, readers come to know Evan Hill, an artistic, articulate student who embarks on a crusade begun by his older brother to remove the Indian as their high school's mascot. He shares a Native American heritage with his father, who embodies patience and quiet strength and who draws the teen into his once estranged Mohawk family circle. Evan encounters a mix of hostility, indifference, and silent support for his cause from his classmates. Intolerance and brutality erupt when long-haired Evan is cornered in the hall by scissors-wielding classmates and when his mother discovers the beloved family dog lying dead atop a paper feather headdress. The young man's repeated visits to the school board generate annoyance, frustration, and intransigence, and it votes to ignore his request and to uphold the status quo. But at graduation, when an Indian mascot banner is displayed, cheers fade as sympathizers join Evan in a silent, seated protest. Carvell's first novel carries a clear, thought-provoking message about both intolerance and cultural pride. The protagonist's first-person experiences and insights are affecting. His objection to the shallow, stereotypical portrayal of Native Americans emerges from a spiritual and cultural need to be understood, recognized, and appreciated. Through his campaign, Evan learns a lesson in integrity, perseverance, and courage. -Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. A public issue comes close to home in this story of Evan Hill, a part-Mohawk high-school senior, who protests against his school's use of Indian mascots. Drawing on the real-life experience of her own two sons, Carvell lets Evan tell the story, which unfolds in quiet, spare, very readable, free-verse vignettes that express his hurt, anger, and humiliation as he tries to get the school board, the principal, and his classmates to listen to him and get rid of the noble savage caricature of his people. At times the narrative degenerates into sermonizing, with too much reverential talk about "proud solemnity." But Evan's words personalize his search for his Mohawk roots, even as his bullying classmates call him "Injun hippie" and "timber nigger" and then kill his beloved dog. The issues are sure to spark discussion: What about the bystanders who just let it happen? Will Evan change any minds? What's all the fuss about, anyway? Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (July 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786808276
• ISBN-13: 978-0786808274
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #674,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Who Will Tell My Brother?, December 3, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Who Will Tell My Brother? (Paperback)

I think that this book is only ok. It is good because it helps people learn how to stand up for their race, and gain courage. But I did not like the author's style of writing which was in poem form, which made it difficult for me to enjoy the book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is good, October 20, 2003

By 

Solon Middle School Student (OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who Will Tell My Brother? (Hardcover)

Marlene Carvell, the author of "Who Will Tell my Brother?" puts great detail in describing the actions of the characters. It's about a senior boy who tries to change the school mascot. The school disagrees with his disions and treat him diffent. They go so far that they, or someone, end up killing his dog. But then he realizes that racism is just an opinion. And then everything changes back to normal, excpt butch, Evan's dog. And the worse thing about it is that Butch was Evan's childhood friend and that His brother might not take it to well if he found out what happen to his friend.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, December 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Who Will Tell My Brother? (Hardcover)

This book is one of the few adolescent books that produced a "WOW" from me while reading. I was so moved by the book that I read it to my classes because we did not have enough copies in the library to read individually. The message in this story is clearly and eloquently spoken -- The children shall lead us from our own mistaken courses. I recommend this to everyone from age 12 to 100. If you can read it without being moved, I will be surprised. It has become a staple in my curriculum when teaching about tolerance and change.