The Shadow Brothers

by Ann Edwards Cannon

Marcus and his foster brother, Henry, a Navaho,  have always been close. Marcus doesn't mind letting  Henry lead the way; after all, he's brilliant,  good-natured, and a champion runner. But now that  they are sixteen and Henry is dating the amazing  Celia, and now that he's showing interest in his  Navaho heritage and his family on the reservation,  Marcus is left behind. Henry is turning toward a  world where Marcus will never belong. But like Henry,  Marcus must discover his own strengths and  passions, including his feeling for the extraordinary  girl next door.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Teen

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

My name is Ann Edwards ("A. E.") Cannon, and I write books for young readers, as well as a weekly column for the Deseret News. I also teach creative writing and work as a bookseller at the famous King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. My husband, Ken, and I have five (count 'em) sons, two daughters-in-law, no grandchildren (not yet, anyway) two parakeets, one parrot, two cats, and two dogs. One of the dogs weighs (no kidding) 160 pounds.

Reviews

[Michelle Stimpson]

Growing up in Utah, I knew Navajo children who grew up with white families and I knew white families who raised Navajo children. Cannon captures all the complicated issues and feelings that arose from relationships like these. This novel addresses racism and sexism in honest and thought provoking ways with real, round characters. There were so many details of this nuanced story that I enjoyed.

[Masaki Shibano]

Great book, worth looking into.

[Amanda Murphy]

I put off reading this book for a long time. Possibly because I do not care for the cover art. In spite of the awful cover, it's a pretty moving story. I had a hard time getting in to it, but once I did it was a quick, easy, and enjoyable read. I would give it 3.5 stars if I had that option.

[Denise]

I own this book. Read it for my adolescent literature class.

[Taya Okerlund]

I love a boy perspective story and this was a fun, quick read. Ann Cannon is witty and charming as ever.