58 pages • 1 hour read
Colson WhiteheadA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead follows Elwood Curtis, a young Black teenager in Florida during the Civil Rights era, who is sentenced to Nickel Academy after being wrongfully implicated in a crime. Elwood befriends Turner, and they navigate the reform school's harsh and abusive environment, while Elwood's ideals and sense of justice propel him to take action against the corruption and brutality he witnesses.
Colson Whitehead's The Nickel Boys masterfully blends historical fiction with a harrowing tale of abuse at a reform school. Reviewers praise its powerful storytelling and historical relevance. However, some criticize its pacing and predictability. Despite minor flaws, it remains a compelling and poignant read that sheds light on systemic injustices.
Readers who appreciate the gripping historical narratives and profound social critiques in The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead would enjoy works like The Underground Railroad by the same author and Beloved by Toni Morrison. Ideal for those interested in exploring injustices in America’s past through compelling storytelling.
Lexile Level
HL940LRelationships: Friendship
Identity: Race
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Realistic Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
African American Literature
Civil Rights / Jim Crow
Education
Incarceration