Miracles Boys By Jacqueline Woodson The Characters Milagros

Miracle’s Boys By Jacqueline Woodson

The Characters Milagros- mother; name means “miracle” in Spanish; dead Tyree- older brother; very smart; accepted to college, but stayed behind to help family

Charlie- middle brother; sent to Rahway for robbing a store Newcharlie- Charlie after Rahway; mean to younger brother Lafayette- youngest brother; tells the story; has lots of questions

Minor Characters Aaron – Charlie’s new friend after Rahway Poncho – owner of the candy store David – an inmate at Rahway PJ – Lafayette’s friend Smitty – Lafayette’s friend

The Setting Harlem, NY

The Apartment

Some background Diabetes: when the body knowledge: does not create insulin. Without insulin, the body reacts to too much sugar, which makes a person very ill. ◦ Most people with diabetes take insulin as a medicine. ◦ If a person gets the wrong dose of insulin, they can become unconscious and die. ◦

Hypothermia When your body temperature drops below 95 degrees (normally over 98 degrees). If the temp. does not go back up, a person’s heart rate, respiratory (breathing) rate, and blood pressure all decreases

Juvenile Detention Juvenile courts in the US handle the Center: legal cases of youths under 18 who have been arrested. Juvenile trials are decided by judges only— no jury.

Convicted juveniles are sent to special prisons where they get schooling and advice on how to improve their lives. Some people believe that the juvenile system doesn’t work, and that it sends youngsters back into their communities angry and bitter, like Charlie.

Text Features in Miracle’s Boys Italics – normally used when Lafayette is flashing back to an earlier time. Chapter changes – normally means time has passed. Can be just a few hours or a few days.