73 pages • 2 hours read
Emako Blue
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Book Brief
128
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • Contemporary
2005
YA
12-16 years
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.
Emotional
Melancholic
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
850 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
850 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Monterey Hamilton
Monterey Hamilton
Emako’s best friend and one of the primary narrators, who starts off with a sheltered perspective due to her protective family but undergoes growth through the events of the story.
Eddie Ortiz
Eddie Ortiz
A main narrator who is deeply affected by the gang violence in his community and longs for a future where he can escape these fears by leaving for college.
Jamal
Jamal
A narrator and Emako's potential romantic interest, who initially embodies a carefree, player persona but shares a deep connection with Emako through their mutual love for music.
Savannah Parker
Savannah Parker
The antagonist of the narrative who harbors jealousy towards Emako, masking her own insecurities and loneliness through conflict with those around her.
128
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • Contemporary
2005
YA
12-16 years
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