Amari and the Night Brothers: Supernatural Investigations, Book 1
Girl finds her magic in fun fantasy full of surprises.
Parents say
Based on 1 review
Kids say
Based on 11 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that B.B. Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers is about Amari, a 12-year-old African American girl who's recruited by a secret organization that maintains order in the supernatural world. The book is the first of a planned trilogy and has been optioned for a film adaptation by Universal Pictures. There are a couple of fights between people, with hitting and kicking, and weapons battles with supernatural creatures that result in death.
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super great!
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What's the Story?
When AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS begins, Amari is in the principal's office with her mother. Amari shoved another girl who teased her about her brother Quinton's disappearance. As punishment, the exclusive private school, where she's one of the few Black students, is withdrawing her scholarship. Amari's mother grounds her, including asking her to turn over the old laptop she inherited from Quinton. Before she does that, Amari finds a mysterious email message from Quinton. She follows a series of instructions, and she eventually learns that Quinton was part of a secret organization that manages the supernatural creatures who live in the world, invisible to ordinary humans. Amari is recruited as a trainee. She accepts in the hope that she'll learn what happened to her brother -- and maybe even find him alive.
Is It Any Good?
This fun fantasy is masterfully crafted! Amari and the Night Brothers brings delicious tension to every chapter, and to almost every paragraph. The story world created by first-time author B.B. Dalton is complete on its own terms and offers obvious parallels to our real world, covering topics like privilege, grief, the search for identity, and the anxiety many teens experience about having to grow up at all. The first of a planned three-book series, this opener provides a satisfying resolution on its own and leaves enough threads to make readers want more of Amari and a few other characters.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of loyalty in Amari and the Night Brothers.
Have you ever kept a big secret? Was it hard? How did it feel holding it inside?
What special talent do you have? What talents do you admire in other people, like your parents, friends, or siblings?
Book Details
- Author: B.B. Alston
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Balzer + Bray
- Publication date: January 19, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 416
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: September 16, 2022
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