Donte attends Middlefield Prep. His older brother goes there, too, but life at school is quite different for the two brothers. Donte's brown skin and black dreads earn him taunts and the nickname "Black Brother."
Donte looks like his mother while Trey looks like their white father. Being brothers of a bi-racial couple is definitely a challenge. Trey fits right in as a talented athlete and an excellent student. Donte does well in school, but he isn't particularly interested in sports, and he gets blamed for anything that goes wrong.
When a pencil is thrown in one of his classes and hits one of the popular girls, Donte gets the blame. He ends up in the principal's office which results in a suspension, handcuffs, and a trip to jail. The experience is traumatic. Donte sees first hand the plight of many black, young men who become trapped in a legal system out to get them.
While suspended, Donte wanders into a local Boys and Girls Club. He meets Arden Jones, a former Olympic fencing champion. Donte's biggest nemesis at Middlefield is the captain of the fencing team, "King" Alan. He begins to think he would feel better about himself if he could seek revenge against his chief tormentor if he could learn to fence and take down the team captain.
Arden Jones has demons of his own, but he connects with young Donte and encourages him to see himself, not just the anger he feels for Alan. Donte finds his niche in the sport of fencing. It might just provide the outlet he needs to deal with his frustrations.
Author Jewell Parker Rhodes looks at racism and bullying in her newest novel BLACK BROTHER, BLACK BROTHER. Through Donte, readers will feel the confusion and stress created by being part of a bi-racial family. Check this one out!
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