Little Sister Is Not My Name! by Sharon M. Draper

She won the Coretta Scott King Literary Award for her novels Copper Sun, and Forged by Fire, and the Coretta Scott King Author Honor for The Battle of Jericho. Sharon Draper has also won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent for Fears of a Tiger. This book was a great read and will certainly appeal to middle grade girls. I was amazed at what athletic skill, talent and focus is required of its jumpers. But not at the competitive level of the characters in the book. I enjoyed reading Double Dutch, because I used to jump it as a girl. She has created a diverse group of characters, a great theme about friendships, and a strong plot with a few twists and turns.

Author Sharon Draper has skillfully woven together the lives of three middle grade students and all the angst that accompanies their drama-filled teenage years. There are no inappropriate scenes and the language is clean. What I like about this book: This is a good novel for 6th graders, and not too young for eighth graders. Even the teacher’s are intimidated when the twin’s mother goes onto a television program and asks for help for her sons. Out of fear, she spreads a rumor that the Tolliver twins are going to blow up the school. They seem to follow Yo Yo around at Double Dutch meets and practices. They dress in black, wear skull caps, only interact with each other and angrily storm the halls. Especially Yo Yo, who is shoved into a locker when the Tolliver’s pass her in the hall. One thing is for sure, all three friends share a fear of the new Tolliver Twins, the school bullies. He always makes excuses to Delia about his dad, but deep inside he’s scared and worried. He’s afraid to tell anyone because he’s doesn’t want to be put into a foster home. Randy is running out of money to pay the rent and electricity.

Randy assists the Double Dutch coach, Bomani, and helps with practices - a great distraction for Randy. Randy is close to his Dad and can’t understand why he can’t reach him. Randy, whose father is a truck driver, has been missing for weeks. Yo Yo, specializes in telling very tall tales, and no one can believes a word she says - she’s the comic relief in the story.ĭelia isn’t the only person with a secret. Even her best friend and team member, Yolanda, “Yo Yo” doesn’t know for a while. This could jeopardize her chance to participate in the competition.

In order to compete, she must pass the state proficiency tests. But, Delia, has a secret she has kept from everyone, including her mother. She is the fastest and best jumper on her team, and has a shot at the championship. Delia, who is the main character, loves Double Dutch. Synopsis: Three eighth-grade friends prepare for the International Double Dutch Championship jump rope competition to be held in their hometown, Cincinnati. Themes: Dyslexia, Bullies, Friendship, Secrets, Sportsmanship

Little Sister Is Not My Name! by Sharon M. Draper