James is not a typical 5th grader. This boy’s a real thinker. Wondering if God’s gonna get mad for this reason or that and why adults can do things that kids are told not to…. His life is one of rituals – dinner with the family, just like the white kids on t.v.; watching great t.v. shows like Love Boat and Fantasy Island; and playing Monopoly while listening to Marvin Gaye, Teena Marie and the Bee Gees. It’s also got some grand adventure like riding on the Metra to see the movies… and exposing his heart to the love of his life in a letter.   The colored photos from James’ childhood, sprinkled throughout the pages, bring the characters into the room with you. This is a heartwarming look into the lives to two brothers who talk each other out of being scared when need be and who push each other really hard when it comes to everything. There’s a lot of love in that family and reading about it makes you smile with every word.

Read all Children’s Picture Book Review By Sybrina here.