GOD'S BREATH

A bullied boy receives a life lesson from his grandmother in Rudolph’s illustrated children’s book.

Jakari, a short, light-skinned boy who used to suffer from poor health, is now a healthy elementary school student. Chell, his tall, White friend, defends him from bullies who pick on him only to be bullied herself. Jakari doesn’t understand why people tease him; he adores Chell and wants to protect her, too. The day before spring break, the boys promise to stop teasing Jakari if he’ll join them in being mean to Chell; he doesn’t consider their offer for a moment, as he’d never turn on his pal. He asks his teacher, “Why do the bad boys and girls tease?” Instead of listening, the teacher says that none of the children are bad people, even if they do bad things, and urges Jakari to be patient. Jakari asks other adults for advice and only receives more recommendations that he’s hesitant to take. Finally, he asks his wise grandmother, who explains that the “breath of God” is in everyone and that mean people just don’t know this. Rudolph relates Jakari’s questions and his positions with realism; the narrative acknowledges that adults often offer simple answers to complex problems, which sometimes don’t help. Although the buildup to the discussion with Jakari’s grandma is strong and Grandmother’s wise words have impact, there’s no real resolution to the young boy’s problem, only a different way of thinking. Young readers may wonder why the story seemingly stops in the middle (the final words are “THE BEGINNING”) rather than revealing what happens to Jakari and Chell. The uncredited full-color cartoon illustrations show Jakari’s diverse classmates and family, who have a range of skin tones.

A story with a strong moral hampered by an unfinished feeling.