Blood Is Thicker By: Paul Langan & D.M. Blackwell Publisher: Townsend Press, Inc. Year:2004

1. Blood Is ThickerBy: Paul Langan & D.M. BlackwellPublisher: Townsend Press, Inc.Year:2004 Kierra Turner

2. Introduction This novel takes place in mostly in Detroit. It begins with Hakeem and his family moving from California to Detroit due to his father sickness. They move in with Hakeem’s father brother and his wife and son. Hakeem gets an unpleasant welcome from his cousin, Savon. Hakeem misses home and has to deal with attitude from his jealous cousin.

3. Protagonist Hakeem Randall is a tall, skinny seventeen year old boy. He is the oldest out of his twin sisters Charmaine and Charlene. He is a good student and very responsible by taking on his father's role while he’s sick. He is considered the “perfect son”

4. Antagonist Savon is Hakeem’s jealous cousin. He is around Hakeem’s age but he looks older. He has braids and he is buff. He is the “thuggish” type and very hostile towards Hakeem. He hangs with the wrong crowd and disobedient to his parents.

5. Central Conflict Due to the move Hakeem discovers something about Savon. There have been many robberies and Hakeem thinks Savon has something to do with them since he sneaks out at night. When he returns home he has money, new shoes, and CDs, but Hakeem didn’t want to tell until he had all the facts. One night Hakeem follows Savon and discovers what he has been doing and it wasn’t robbery.

6. Minor Characters • Anika: She was slim and pretty with almond shaped eyes. She was around Hakeem’s age and she lived next door to them taking care f her grandma. She was Hakeem’s first friend due to the move and she cheered him up when he was down. • Henry Randall: He was Hakeem’s father diagnosed with cancer. He was in bad shape so he was the reason for the move to Detroit. • James: He was Savon’s father . He owned a furniture store that Hakeem helped out with. His relationship with his son is bad and he always compares Savon to Hakeem. He doesn’t listen to his son and it causes Savon to rebell.

7. Pictures • Anika James Henry

8. Book Reviews S.Moore Review Nadia Brumell Review • She thought the book was very interesting and she liked the author’s writing style. She recommends this book also to readers who like mysteries and the violent scene. She liked it so much she wants to read the other books in the series. • http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/261928.Blood_Is_Thicker • He liked the realness of the story and how it deals with everyday life. He thought it was interesting and it grasped his attention throughout the whole novel. He liked the story line also and the fact that he can relate to it. He recommended this novel to people who like good books. • http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Thicker-Bluford-No-8/dp/1591940168

9. Reader’s Opinion I really enjoyed this novel. It was so good I didn’t want to put it down. This is a novel that people can relate to because the events in this story happens in everyday life. I would recommend this book and give it five stars.