Oh, Brother! by Nikki Grimes

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Grimes, Nikki.  2008.  OH, BROTHER.  Ill. By Mike Benny.  New York: Greenwillow Books.  ISBN 9780688172947

SUMMARY

OH, BROTHER! tells the touching story of a young, Hispanic boy named Xavier, and the new "additions" to his family.   After his mother remarries, Xavier feels out of sorts, struggling to find his place in his new family as well as learning to live with his new step-father and new step-brother,  Chris.  However, as the plot unfolds, Xavier learns more about Chris and the sad experiences he has lived through, and begins to form a real connection with his new step-family.  Readers will enjoy this wonderful story of a new family working through its struggles to build a new life of their own.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Using rhyming prose and free verse, Nikki Grimes presents readers with twenty powerful poems that capture the struggles and challenges new family's often encounter when parents get remarried.  An added element to this struggle is the biracial factor.  The story's protagonist, Xavier, and his mother are of Hispanic descent while his new step-father and step-brother, Chris, are African-American.  

Grimes cleverly using rhyming poetry to capture the turmoil and complexities Xavier is feeling as he tries to adjust to the new changes in his life.  This is evident in the poem titled "Trouble" where Xavier describes the first meeting with his new step-brother, Chris: "Then, one night he brings/ his son, Chris, along!/ The earth lost its axis/ and spun around wrong."   He comments that "There won't be room/for me unless/ I turn into a mouse!"  As his mother steps into the new role of being young Chris' mother as well, Xavier's jealously burns with in him.   In the poem "Showdown," Xavier finally confronts Chris and asks why he tries so hard to be liked and to be so perfect.  It is in that powerful poem that readers learn that Chris is afraid his dad might go way, "normal wasn't good enough to make my mama stay."  Xavier begins to internalize Chris' emotions and fears as he, too, has experienced the loss of losing a parent.  In the poem "Photograph," readers see Chris comfort Xavier as he describes missing his father who is "73 cities" away.  Grimes quietly, yet powerful reveals to readers that Xavier's father's leaving was for the best, as Xavier describes "Sure, I can see/ it's better now,/ him gone,/ and no more screaming/ at Mami."

As the family dynamics begin unfold, Grimes brings the two ethnic worlds together by sporadically using Spanish terms throughout the text.  Xavier's mother calls her step son Chris "hijo," which means son.  As Xavier's and Chris' relationship begins to strengthen, Xavier tells Chris in the poem titled "The Name Game" that brother is spelled "H-E-R-M-A-N-O," which  in Spanish, describes what they are now.  This touching combination of both English and Spanish words for brother brings to the heart of the story the true meaning of family, and that it goes beyond any cultural borders.

Adding power to the Grimes' prose are Mike Benny's stunning gouache paintings.  Benny uses rich varying colors to depict the variation in skin tones between Xavier and his Hispanic mother, and Chris and his African-American father.  Also seen in the illustrations are the differences in their facial features as well as hair color and textures.  Perhaps the most powerful image comes from the poem "Lights Out," which describes the blooming relationship between Xavier and Chris.  As they "trade jokes/ and line the wall/ with laughter,"  readers see the two character's shadows on the wall, smiling and laughing while playfully having a pillow fight.  For a brief moment, both characters are the same "color" on the dark silhouettes on the wall.  Differences in race,  skin color, facial features, or hair textures are all but forgotten in this moment of pure joy and happiness.

As the boys later learn, a new addition to family comes in the form of their baby sister, Melodye.  Benny paints Melodye a light-shade of brown, and with beautiful round eyes.  Both Xavier and Chris decide that they will always be brothers and that as family, they will never abandon one another.  OH, BROTHER masterfully incorporates both the African-American and Hispanic cultures to help teach young readers to understand and celebrate their differences while helping them to see the world beyond their own lives.

REVIEWS AND AWARDS

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: " The winner of multiple Coretta Scott King Awards, Grimes spins her verse with a light, knowing touch (for example, Mami grinning is "licking us like scoops of ice cream with her eyes") to the happy ending. Mike Benny's colorful gouache illustrations naturalistically complement the story--and occasionally go beyond it, as in his double-page pillow fight interpretation of "Lights Out." This is a well done niche book for the growing market of re-formed families attempting to survive the inevitable jealousies and insecurities of the children caught in the middle."

KIRKUS: "Twenty poems laced with emotion chronicle Xavier's journey from anger to acceptance, while Benny's strong gouache illustrations capture his emotional struggle to embrace his new hermano and their new family. Ideal for kids coping with new step-siblings."

CONNECTIONS

* Have students pre-read before beginning the book.  Ask students questions such as what do you think the title means?  What is great about having a sibling?  What is not so great?  What do you think a family experiences when have new family members join, whether through adoption, marriage, or blended family?  (Ideas from http://www.nikkigrimes.com/teacher/brothtg.html)