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73 pages 2 hours read

Brenda Woods

Emako Blue

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2005

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Emako Blue by Brenda Woods follows the story of a talented teenage girl, Emako, whose promising future is tragically cut short by gang violence in South Central Los Angeles. Her friends and classmates narrate their experiences leading up to her death, highlighting the impact of poverty, crime, and violence on their community while reflecting on their own lives and choices in the aftermath of tragedy. This book depicts graphic scenes of gang and gun-related violence.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Emako Blue by Brenda Woods delivers a poignant, character-driven narrative that captivates readers with its emotional depth and relatable themes of friendship and tragedy. The prose is praised for its simplicity and beauty, appealing especially to young adult audiences. However, some critics find the character development lacking and the plot somewhat predictable.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Emako Blue?

Readers who would enjoy Emako Blue by Brenda Woods are typically in middle school or high school, with an interest in realistic, emotionally impactful stories about urban life, personal struggle, and deep friendships. Comparable titles include Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

Book Details
Pages

128

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Los Angeles, California • Contemporary

Publication Year

2005

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-16 years

Lexile Level

600L

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