The Beautiful Struggle (Adapted for Young Adults)

Adapted from the adult memoir by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Water Dancer and Between the World and Me, this father-son story explores how boys become men, and quite specifically, how Ta-Nehisi Coates became Ta-Nehisi Coates.\nAs a child, Ta-Nehisi Coates was seen by his father, Paul, as too sensitive and lacking focus. Paul Coates was a Vietnam vet who'd been part of the Black Panthers and was dedicated to reading and publishing the history of African civilization. When it came to his sons, he was committed to raising proud Black men equipped to deal with a racist society, during a turbulent period in the collapsing city of Baltimore where they lived.\nCoates details with candor the challenges of dealing with his tough-love father, the influence of his mother, and the dynamics of his extended family, including his brother "Big Bill," who was on a very different path than Ta-Nehisi. Coates also tells of his struggles at school and with girls, making this a timely story to which many readers will relate.\nFrom School Library Journal\nGr 9 Up-In 2008, Coates published a memoir that focused on the lessons his father, Paul Coates, imparted throughout his life. Now, more than a decade later, this young adult adaptation emerges to reinvigorate the messages of Black pride, neighborhoods, and relationship dynamics. Rich conversations that reflect on Paul drive the narrative. Coates weaves in and out of his upbringing in Baltimore, Paul's interests in African culture that led to his work in publishing and with organizations like the Black Panther Party, and the upbringing of his children. The absence of dialogue cues may frustrate readers who are unaccustomed to this fluid style because, without breaks in the text, the pages are dense. However, the rhythmic stream of consciousness will appeal to focused, skilled readers who want to learn about Paul's experiences from the 1960s and 1970s and how his worldview molded his son, who was surrounded by the richness of education and the importance of reading. This paternal bond shines in every chapter. VERDICT While there has been an attempt to make this more accessible to a younger audience, the writing in the original is far stronger.-Alicia Abdul, Albany H.S., NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.