Emako Blue

Title- Emako Blue

Author- Brenda Woods

ISBN
0399240063

Publication Information- Putnam, 2004

 

Plot Summary- This story is told almost entirely in flashback. It opens with the death of Emako, and tells about this young ladies impact on all of her friends through their own perspectives. Emako. Monterey, Savannah, Eddie, and Jamal are the people closest to Emako. Emako and Monterey become quick friends but Monterey is from a wealthier family than Emako, who is from South Central LA. Savannah is jealous of Emako and her singing ability. Jamal tries to be a player but has legitimate feelings for Emako, and Eddie is happy to have a friend who understands what it is like to come from the ghettos of LA. Emako touches everybody she meets until the day her brother is released from prison and members of a rival gang looking for him find her first.

Critical Evaluation- This books is deceptive in its length. It is hard to imagine that a writer can pack that much emotion into such a short space. Furthermore, since each chapter is from the perspective of a different friend, Woods reveals her talent of writing multiple perspectives of a single character. Students LOVE this book. I have seen students crying in my classroom when they reach the climax of the story. Because of its length and character focus, it will easily draw in reluctant readers of all kinds, but grade level readers appreciate it too.

Awards

IRA Best Young Adult Novel 2005
An ALA Quick Pick Top Ten Title 2005
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age 2005

Reader's Annotation- Have you ever met a person that changed you the minute you met him/her?

Author Information- Brenda Woods came to writing late in life as a second career of sorts. She has published three books, all YA novels: The Red Rose Box, My Name is Sally Little Song, and Emako Blue. All three are award winning novels.

Curricular Ties- Sociology or Psychology

Genre- Coming of Age

Book talking ideas- What makes some people so charismatic? How do teenagers deal with loss?

Challenge issues- Gang concerns- although not at all glorified in the story, and death and mourning.

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 14-18

Why I selected this piece – It was a California Young Readers Medal finalist a few years ago, and my school was lucky enough to host the author for presentations to students. While I didn't have to read the novel, it would have been poor form for the department chair to show up without having read it.