Dark Sons

Dark Sons
 by Nikki Grimes

Bibliography

Grimes, N. (2005).  Dark sons. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9781415627426

Summary

Isaac and Ishmael - an ancient story. Ishmael is driven from his father, yet manages to become a great nation. Divorce - a modern story.  Sam's father leaves home, re-marries, and has a child. Nikki Grimes parallels the biblical story of Ishmael to the modern story of Sam in a series of poems and shows how faith in God and sometimes even kisses from a pretty girl can help people through difficult times.

Critical Analysis

Like any good novel written for young adults, Dark Sons draws the reader into the narrative.  Readers can identify with Sam, and through him, they can identify with Ishmael.  The difference with this novel is that the narrative is written in the form of poetry and many typical literary elements do not play as strong a role as in prose novels.  Grimes' free verse poetry is both modern, edgy, and beautiful.  The poems clearly portray feelings such as betrayal, loneliness, and finally, hope.

Review Excerpts

* The cross-play is effective, though Sam's story is more vivid and engaging. References to God (not Jesus) layer another father into the mix. Religion is a key part of the healing, but even faith-challenged readers can admire and learn from these stories of struggle in vernacular verse. -- School Library Journal

* The simple words eloquently reveal what it's like to miss someone ("I've stopped expecting / his shadow in the hallway / his frame in the doorway"), but even more moving is the struggle to forgive and the affection each boy feels for the baby that displaces him. The elemental connections and the hope ("You made it / in the end / and so will I") will speak to a wide audience. -- Booklist


Connections

* This website has an audio except, teaching guide, more reviews, and an awards list for Dark Sons.  Well worth a look.

* Expert from Dark Sons

Three Tents (Ishmael)

"Three tents:
His, hers, ours,
goatskin fortresses
separated by severed promises,
cultural circumstances,
and yards of useless pride.
Even so,
we are joined together
by one invisible, thread:
Blood
red."

Two Houses (Sam)

"Trading spaces
makes me dizzy.
Two houses,
two beds,
two dressers,
two closets,
two sets of rooms
and rules,
two sets of parents
who split on
the shoulds and shouldn'ts.
Einstein would have trouble
keeping track.
I lack the finesse, myself,
and so sometimes
I throw my hands up,
go for a walk, and tell
the so-called grownups
to work it out."