Reads Revisited: Miracle’s Boys by Jacqueline Woodson

Speak
Published June 8th, 2000
144 Pages

Nothing is like it used to be. If it were, Mama would still be alive. Papa wouldn’t have died. Thirteen-year-old Lafayette’s older brother, Charlie wouldn’t have done time at a correctional facility. And oldest brother Ty’ree would have gone to college instead of having to work full time to support the three of them.

If things were the same, Lafayette wouldn’t be so full of questions, like why Mama had to die, why Charlie hates him so much now, and how they’re all supposed to survive these times together when so much seems to be set against them.- Goodreads

Once upon a time Nickelodon use to have better content on their channel. It was here that I was first introduced to Miracle’s Boys. It was a six part mini series that featured Pooch Hall, Sean Nelson and Julito McCullum.

I would like to mention that I had a crush on Sean Nelson as well as Pooch Hall. I admire their acting and plus they are really good to look at.

Check out the trailer below.

After finishing the series, which was fantastic acting from beginning to end. I found that it was a book and a book by Jacqueline Woodson none the less. I read it instantly and it became a classic for me.

As an adult re-reading this book, you realize how much sadder it actually is. Paying attention to things not said, you’ll see three boys (I loosely use this term) who are grieving the lost of their mother but are not speaking about it, feeling the absence of a father, although he has been dead for sometime now, struggling to do what is right, when it is very obvious they do not want to but most importantly struggling to make their mother proud.

The book is a quick read but had an impact. In this day and age, there are a lot of books about losing parents and struggling to be “normal” mostly from a girl’s point of view, which is why this book stands out because it is about three growing boys trying to make it and not disappoint their mother.

The world building makes you feel like you are there. The imagery is so imprinted in your brain that as I write this I can see Lafayette watching the room, see Charlie’s anger and hear Ty’ree’s frustrations as well as disappointment. Its deep and the story is still relevant today and that is why I still like it.

My only concern with this book and the series as well as it just sort of ends. There is a unspoken truce or for the lack of better term communication between the brothers that gives you the impression that everything is going to be alright but then when you think about it things can wrong too. I wanted more of a confirmation and although the ending wasn’t bad, it didn’t hit that spot.

Overall,

4 Pickles then and now