New Boy: William Shakespeare's Othello Retold: A NovelTracy Chevalier brings Shakespeare’s Othello—a harrowing drama of jealousy and revenge—to a 1970s era elementary school playground. Arriving at his fifth school in as many years, diplomat’s son Osei Kokote knows he needs an ally if he is to survive his first day—so he’s lucky to hit it off with Dee, the most popular girl in school. But one student can’t stand to witness this budding relationship: Ian decides to destroy the friendship between the black boy and the golden girl. By the end of the day, the school and its key players—teachers and pupils alike—will never be the same again. The tragedy of Othello is transposed to a 1970s suburban Washington schoolyard, where kids fall in and out of love with each other before lunchtime, and practice a casual racism picked up from their parents and teachers. Peeking over the shoulders of four 11 year olds—Osei, Dee, Ian, and his reluctant "girlfriend" Mimi—Tracy Chevalier's powerful drama of friends torn apart by jealousy, bullying, and betrayal will leave you reeling. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Afro asked began black boy Blanca boyfriend Brabant braids called Casper cheeks classroom color couldn’t dashiki Dee wanted Dee’s desk Duke Duncan eyes face father feel felt flag flagpole friends frowned gestured Ghana girls glanced gonna hair hand he’d he’s head hear heard hurt Ian’s Joe Namath jump rope jumping Double Dutch jungle gym kickball kids kissed knew laugh lunch Mimi Mimi’s Miss Lode mother mouth move never nodded Osei Osei’s Othello parents pencil pink pirate ship playground playing kickball pulled pushed Randolph Rod’s seemed shake Shakespeare shook shrugged Sisi sister sitting sixth grade smiled Snoopy someone standing staring stood stopped strawberries sure surprised talking tater tots teachers Teddy bear tell things thought told took touch Tracy Chevalier trying turned voice waiting walked watching What’s whispered