Amari and the Night Brothers
- John Bolton
- Feb 11, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 2, 2021
Wr. B. B. Alston
Ill. Brittany Jackson Pub. Egmont
Age Range - 8-12 years
Amari Peters knows three things. Her big brother Quinton has gone missing. No one will talk about it. His mysterious job holds the secret. So when Amari gets an invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain this is her chance to find Quinton. But first she has to get her head around the new world of the Bureau, where mermaids, aliens and magicians are real, and her roommate is a weredragon. Amari must compete against kids who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives, and when each trainee is awarded a special supernatural talent, Amari is given an illegal talent – one that the Bureau views as dangerous.
With an evil magician threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is the enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton . . .
"Children should be able to see themselves represented in fiction"
With Amari taking the MG world by storm, I don't need to say much about about the plot - anyone who stumbles upon my review will already know. The book is a real gem. Alston takes a minority character and treats her with respect and diligence. Children should be able to see themselves represented in fiction. Amari is black and from a socially deprived background. Just as it is important for children like Amari to read about children like themselves, this is also important for children who aren't like Amari. White children need to have black heroes: they need to see that people of different colours and backgrounds aren't, actually, so different from themselves.
There will always be a weight of responsibility on a writer tackling inequality, and Amari is a bold, inspirational character. Alston has said in interviews that he wrote Amari because, as a child, he was without relatable heroes in fantasy books. He has done great work here, portraying and referencing racism and prejudice powerfully and impactfully, without becoming preachy. There is an honesty in his writing that children will pick up on and be moved by.
Structurally, the plot moves along at a good pace, although I felt the ending was a little swift, after such a strong build up. Nevertheless, it is a brilliant book, and one which is clearly going to become a modern classic.
On a side note, the audio book is a curious affair and did impact on my enjoyment. Agent Fiona, for example, pronounces "you" as "ye", because this is how it's written in the US edition (it's written as "you" in the UK edition), but she pronounces "your" and "you'll" just fine. There were also several moments where the delivery felt like the narrator was working from an autocue showing one sentence at a time, leading to some very odd inflections. Not a huge deal, but jarring enough to notice.
teaching ideas
themes in the novel
These are some of the key themes in the story:
Friendship. Amari's bond with Elsie is a key relationship in the story, as is her relationship with Dylan. There are multiple times where they help each out of a sticky situation.
Betrayal. I can't say much about this without spoiling the story, suffice to say: chapter 32.
Supernatural. An obvious one, given that Amari attends the Bureau of Supernatural affairs. Lots of otherworldly creatures to behold.
Sibling Rivalry. Although Amari's quest is to find her brother, there are references to her living up to his standards, and there is definite tension between Lara and Dylan Van Helsing.
Otherness. This is perhaps the most significant theme. The book is very much about the way we treat people who are different from ourselves. Amari begins the book as a minority student in her school, and goes to the Bureau where she learns she has latent, illegal magical powers. These quotes from chapter 10:
I cover my face with my hands. If having magic makes me a magician, and magicians are the enemies of the supernatural world like Elsie suggested...then what’s going to happen to me now?
‘And I suppose we’re also to believe it’s a coincidence,’ Director Van Helsing continues, ‘that you showed up here at the same time hybrids are terrorizing our outposts around the country. It is common knowledge that only magicians can create hybrids. Tell me, girl, are these attacks your doing?’
Director Cobblepot of the Department of Supernatural Records and Licences later remarks:
'There’s no such thing as a good magician.'
Privilege. Amari is aware, both at school and at the Bureau, of the significant chasm between the haves and the have-nots. There is a world of difference between the lives of Amari and Jayden, and the lives of Emily and the Van Helsings. A quote from Chapter 1:
People like Emily and Mrs Grant will never understand what’s it’s like to not have money. They can do whatever they want with no consequences while the rest of us have to watch our every step.
Bravery. Amari needs to find her courage in order to succeed through the various trials (literal as well as figurative!) she faces during the book. A quote from chapter 13:
‘Courage,’ says Agent Fiona. ‘And that’s what separates the wannabes from the Agents in the end. Quinton didn’t nominate you ’cause he needed a rescuer, he nominated you because he believed you can thrive here. Only, you’ve gotta believe it before anybody else will.’
teaching resources
Chapter by chapter comprehension and discussion questions. These comprehension resources are available to download in PDF format.
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