But there isno question as to why he and his older brother Ernie find themselves far fromtheir Brooklyn home with their Grandma and Grandpop in rural Virginia: theirparents are “maybe/possibly/probably divorcing” and are “figuring it out” inJamaica. Not-quite-teenager Genie Harris has a notebook full of questions,ranging from the superficial (“Why are swallows called swallows? did peopleused to eat them?”) to the introspective (“Why am I so stupid?”). 11/15) delivers an emotionally resonant middle-grade story of anAfrican American family working to overcome its tumultuous past in hopes of abetter future.
3/15 with Brendan Kiely, All AmericanBoys, rev. Reynolds ( The Boy in the Black Suit, rev. Although a tad lengthy, it is easy reading and will be appreciated by a broad audience.- Luann Toth, School Library Journal VERDICT A richly realized story about life and loss, courage and grace, and what it takes to be a man. Reynolds captures the bond that Grandpop and Genie form in a tender, believable, and entertaining way, delivered through smart and funny prose and sparkling dialogue. Grandpop Harris is a complicated, irascible character, full of contradictions and vulnerabilities, the least of which is his lack of vision. As the languid days unfold, the boys learn about country life and the devastating loss of the elder Harrises’ son during Desert Storm and their estrangement from their living son, the boys’ father. Genie barrages Grandpop with questions about his past and present abilities and about the quirky aspects of the household, especially his “nunya bidness” room, his harmonica playing, and how Grandpop might not be able to see but still packs a pistol.
While Ernie crushes on the girl who lives at the base of the hill, Genie writes down his many burning questions so he doesn’t forget them and gets to know his proud and fiercely independent grandfather. They are also surprised to learn that they are expected to do chores and follow their grandmother’s strict rules-and that it is possible to exist (sort of) without the Internet. It is only after the boys are left in their grandfather’s care that they realize that he is blind. The born and bred Brooklynites are to spend a month with their grandparents in rural Virginia while their parents take a long overdue vacation and work out their marital problems. Reynolds’s engaging middle grade debut stars 11-year-old African American Genie Harris, an inveterate worrywart who considers Google his best friend, and his older brother Ernie, who is well on his way to being a cool dude (sunglasses and all).
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