Emako Blue

Emako Blue

• Genre: Fiction; young adult realistic
• Originally Published: 2005
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 600L; grades 7-12
• Structure/Length: 27 chapters; approximately 128 pages
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The central conflict revolves around Emako Blue, a high school student in Los Angeles. Emako Blue faces the challenges of growing up in an unsafe neighborhood while trying to achieve her dreams of becoming a singer until her tragic death results from random gun violence. The story is told in flashbacks by several peers who knew Emako; it is set in a contemporary urban environment and explores friendship, dreams, and the impact of choices.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Gun violence; death, including murder of a young teen/central character; profanity; scenes related to urban life, including gangs and difficult socioeconomic conditions; use of a racist slur; anti-trans observations and comments

Brenda Woods, Author

• Bio: Born 1965; known for writing about the experiences of African American youth; focused on creating authentic and relatable characters; received several awards for her books; passionate about promoting diversity in children's literature; active in supporting literacy programs; published works have been praised for their compelling storytelling and realistic portrayals
• Other Works: The Red Rose Box (1993); My Name is Sally Little Song (2000); The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond (2014)
• Awards: ALA Quick Pick Top Ten Title (2005); New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age (2005); IRA Best Young Adult Novel Award (2005)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Effects of Gang Violence on Individuals and Communities
• What It Means to Be Grown Up
• Escaping the Cycle of Poverty & Violence

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the social context regarding gang violence, which impacts the narrators’ reactions to Emako’s death.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of The Effects of Gang Violence on Individuals and Communities, What It Means to Be Grown Up, and Escaping the Cycle of Poverty & Violence.
• Draft and share a creative writing piece from the perspective of Emako, demonstrating an understanding of the novel’s characterization and major plot points, based on text details.
• Examine and appraise characters, themes, and symbols in the novel to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding music, Emako’s impact on others, and other topics.