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Your Move: A Gripping Story of Big Brother Courage and Family Loyalty for Kids
One night while their mom’s at work, ten-year-old James and his six-year-old brother, Isaac, leave their house to meet the K-Bones, a group of guys who hang out and do cool stuff. James is ready to prove he’s cool enough to be in with them, but he soon learns that the K-Bones are not just an innocent club--they’re a gang that steals, tags freeway signs, and even plans to buy a gun. After a dangerous confrontation with a crew of older boys, James realizes that he’s put Isaac in danger, and knows that if he finds the courage to walk away, Isaac will follow.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1994
5 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Eve Bunting
307 books406 followersAlso known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 24, 2011
Another story by Eve Bunting called “Your Move” is a story about two brothers, Issac and James. James wants to join a street gang called “K-Bones”. He sneaks out of the house with his six year old brother Issac while his mother is away at work. He brings his brother along because he can’t be left at home alone. James is forced to do something really dangerous that could have killed himself in order to prove that he belonged in the group. Issac witnesses all of this and afterwards a rival gang comes to attack. Gunshots are fired and Issac gets hurt by falling on his knees. The boys come home and end up in trouble for not following the rules. The next day James denies the offer to be part of the “K-Bones” gang because he knew it was not the right thing to do and they did really bad things. Issac was also offered to join the gang and after hearing his brother, he also said no too.
This story is very powerful and sensitive to read. It reminds me of growing up in Los Angeles County as a childhood and going to an elementary school that was around gang violence, even at that young age. I’ve never seen any gang-related activity but I know it was talked about in classes a lot as I got older and it was common to see graffiti around the neighborhoods and the city. I think picturebooks are a great way to bring up a tough topic to tap into for students. This book can be read to middle schoolers and high schoolers and have a great effect on them.
This story is very powerful and sensitive to read. It reminds me of growing up in Los Angeles County as a childhood and going to an elementary school that was around gang violence, even at that young age. I’ve never seen any gang-related activity but I know it was talked about in classes a lot as I got older and it was common to see graffiti around the neighborhoods and the city. I think picturebooks are a great way to bring up a tough topic to tap into for students. This book can be read to middle schoolers and high schoolers and have a great effect on them.
April 16, 2011
Eve Bunting shares a story about a boy who is searching for acceptance into an young gang-like crew. All the while he is doubting doing it, and afraid for himself and his little brother when things take a turn for the worse. But this story ends with courage and responsibility when James declines his admittance and remains a role model for his little brother. The illustrator, James Ransome, uses one full-bleed picture for every two-page spread, with corresponding text. The illustrations are vivid and provide an array of perspectives to offer the reader with a varied experience of the story. Ransome uses paint that creates color blends and texture to the illustrations, along with depth and shadowing. Overall, this is an encouraging story of overcoming peer pressure and providing a positive role model to younger siblings great for older children.
September 28, 2010
This book is one of the truest reflections of the world in which my students live. It is always said to us as educators we need to build on our students own schema. However most times even when the characters in the stories are not animals the representations are not connected to our students life. I was surprised by the plot mostly because the crime not stopped by the author It shows us how difficult life's decisions are for our students.
September 18, 2019
When you start reading the book you notice that on the back of the cover page its all yellow with no pictures and designs before the story begins. The page on the left side were the pages with the writing on it and the second pages were the pages with the pictures on it. This gives you an idea of what the book is about before you look over at the picture. The pictures looked like they were painted with some marker added onto them. This book was also diverse but very similar to "White socks" in that way. This book seems like a bad influence if this was read to little kids because the characters in this book were trying to tag signs around the neighborhood just to prove themselves cool enough to be in a gang and thats really dangerous for children. The kids in this book new it was a bad idea to do the things they were doing. The children eventually got even worse and they started looking into getting guns for their gangs. The only thing I didnt like about this book was what it was about but other than that it was very creative to show what its really like in bad neighborhoods.
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November 1, 2022I always love to use this story with my readers!
January 29, 2021
At night, when Mom goes to work, I take care of my little brother, Isaac. WE do homework or play games or watch TV. But tonight is going to be different. Tonight we’re going out.
We have to make sure Mom’s not still waiting at the bus stop, so we play checkers awhile. Every move I make Isaac makes, too. Now that Dad’s gone he thinks I’m smarter than anybody. Besides, I’m ten and he’s only six.
When we finish two games I thump on our neighbor’s wall. We’re supposed to do that every night, every hour till bedtime. That way she knows we’re all right. She thumps back.
I look over at Isaac in his red sweatshirt. “Let’s go,” I say. “We have to be back for the next thump or she’ll come looking.”
“Will we have enough time, James?” Isaac asks me.
“I think so. Whatever it is, it shouldn’t take too long.” I’m nervous but I try not to let Isaac see.
The K-Bones are waiting at the corner by Rosetti’s Pizza Palace. They give me the high K-Bones handshake. Kris and Bones put this crew together, except it’s not really a crew. Kris says they’re just a bunch of kids who hang out and do cool stuff. Like a club. Tonight I have to prove myself so I can be in their club, too.
“How come you brought the little punk along?” Kris asks.
“I told you. I can’t leave him alone. What if something happened?”
Kris grins and gives Isaac the K-Bones shake, too. I can tell Isaac likes that.
“So what do I have to do?” I ask.
Kris rattles a can of spray paint. “Just some writing,” he says.
I take a deep breath. “You mean tagging?”
Bones shakes his head. “Crews tag. We write.” He fakes a punch at Isaac. Isaac likes that, too.
“You know the sign of the 405?” Kris asks me. I don’t know which sign he’s talking about, but I nod anyway. Isaac nods, too, though he knows even less. “The Snakes put their name on it,” Kris says. “You’re going up to put our name over theirs.”
“Cool,” I say, but I’m more nervous than ever. I hold Isaac’s hand as we cross the street; he tries to pull it away.
Now we’re walking single file on the narrow road that borders the freeway. Above us traffic roars, loud as a thousand lawn mowers. We can’t see it because there’s a sloping bank with a wall on top. TV sounds blast from the houses we pass. A dog on a chain barks at us.
Kris stops and points. High above the freeway, the green sign hangs on its metal pole. Two spotlights shine on it. ALTA EXIT it says. Except you can hardly see the words because SNAKES is written over them in red curvy letters. My stomach is acting up. That sign is high. How am I supposed to get to it?
“James has to climb that?” Isaac asks. He’s grabbing at my arms like he wants to keep me back. I wish I could slink away. But how can I? I’m here to prove I’m t ough enough to be in K-Bones.
We climb the bank, which is covered with scrubby plants.
“But, James…” There are tears in Isaac’s eyes.
“I’ll be OK,” I say. “Remember the school picnic when I climbed that cliff?”
“Yeah, but…”
Yeah, but…
I hand him my jacket. “Hold this.”
Bones gives me the can of spray paint, and Kris boosts me up on the wall. It shakes and jolts as the traffic goes by. It’s a miracle this wall is still standing. It must be made of steel or something.
“See that electric box halfway up the pole?” Kris shouts. “Stand on that.”
I shinny up the pole, slide back, go up again. The pole slams and shakes under my hands. A jumping jackhammer probably feels like this. My foot finds the electric box, and I drag myself onto the platform. I cling to the sign. Wind lifts my hat, balloons my shirt. Below me the chain of headlights goes on forever. I make myself look down and back. Isaac and the K-Bones are a hazy blur.
My finger are so numb I can’t make the paint spray out of the can. When it does the whoosh blows back on me.
But now I’m writing K-BONES, looping the letters over the ones already there. I’m doing it left-handed because I’m clinging to the sign with my right arm, and I’ve got my eyes closed so the paint doesn’t get in them. When I reach the S, I look. I can read it! Yeah! I drop the can on the bank and slide down the pole. Bones and another guy hoist me off the wall. It’s a good thing, because I couldn’t have jumped. I lean back. The wall is so solid. So is the ground.
Isaac’s holding my legs and crying his head off.
“I thought you were going to fall,” he says.
“Naw.” I’m suddenly so cool. I take my bunched-up jacket.
The guys push around me, shouting “Great, man!” and stuff like that.
“We’re up!” Kris says. “But we gotta get out of here fast. Somebody could have called us in.”
I grab Isaac’s hand and we start running. I’m looking back at the sign.
“Do you do this a lot?” I ask Kris, panting out the words because we’re running so hard.
He flashes me a grin that I can see clearly in the streetlights.
“Sometimes we play the ‘take-it’ game. You know, take it from the minimarket, take it from Bates Drugs.”
“You mean, steal?”
“No, it’s a game.”
“You’re pulling me too fast,” Isaac whines, and I slow down a little. I’m not feeling too great about getting him mixed up in this. I should have known the kind of stuff the K-Bones do. I’m not that dumb. Maybe I did know. But I wanted to be in with them.
Suddenly everyone stops.
“Snakes!” one of the K-Bones yells
The guys in front of us are all wearing black. They’re big. Maybe they’re even in high school.
“K-Bones rule!” Kris calls out, but his voice is as rattly as the freeway pole.
“Not for long,” one of the Snakes says, and I’m thinking, OK, they’re going to go right back up that pole and write over what I just wrote. Then the K-Bones will come back and…
“Run! Go! They’ve got a gun!” Bones shouts.
A gun! I’ve never felt my heart slide around the way it’s sliding now.
We’re all running. I’m dragging Isaac ‘cause he’s so slow. The K-Bones are way ahead.
Then I hear a shot. I’ve heard shots before around our building, and I know how they sound.
Isaac falls, and for an awful minute I think he’s been hit. But it’s just that I’m pulling him too fast. “Let go of me! Stop!” he yells.
His knees are scraping along the ground and he’s screaming his head off but I can’t stop. We’ve got to get away. I glance down. Oh no! The knees have been torn out of his jeans and there’s blood. I look back and see the Snakes have disappeared, so I stop.
“Aw, Isey,” I say. “I’m sorry. Are you OK?” I crouch down beside him.
That’s when he sees the blood, and that’s when he really starts screaming. “Blood! Blood!” he yells.
I have to almost carry him home, and when we get there Mom and Mrs. Lopez from next door are waiting. Mom’s still in her Drew’s Cafe uniform.
“You didn’t thump, James,” Mrs. Lopez says, all mad. “And when I came in you were gone. What are you trying to do? Give me an attack?”
Mom’s staring at Isaac’s knees. “What happened?”
“He fell down,” I say.
“I fell down,” Isaac says.
Mom frowns. “I’m not happy about this, James. I have to be able to trust you.”
She bathes the blood away and puts on antiseptic stuff that stins and makes Isaac yell some more. Mrs. Lopez gets the bandages.
Mom says that from now on she’s taking no more chances. Tomorrow she’ll put a notice on the supermarket board and have someone stay with us full-time while she’s at work. She’ll find the money somehow.
“I’d do it myself, but Mr. Lopez likes me with him at night,” Mrs. Lopez says. Mom tells her she understands.
For now, Isaac and I are on our honor. Even so, we have to thump on the wall every half hour.
The very next night, we’re playing checkers when someone knows real softly on the door. Through the peephole I see Kris. I let him in. He’s wearing a brand-new Lakers cap and carrying another.
“How are you doing?” he asks Isaac, staring at the bandages.
“He could have been dead,” I say.
Kris grins. “Naw. Those Snakes couldn’t hit a brick wall if they had a cannon. When we get a gun…” He stops.
When they get a gun! Oh, great! Give me a break, I think.
“Anyway,” Kris says. “The K-Bones took a vote. You’re in, James. You, too, Isaac, even though you’re just a little punk.” He takes off the Lakers cap and gives it to me. “We’ve all got these now,” he says. “Club caps.”
I turn it in my hand. Club cap. Crew cap. Lifted in a take-it game.
I give it back. “Thanks. But no thanks.”
Kris looks at me. It’s like he’s reading my thoughts. He looks away.
“Well, here’s yours.” He sets the other cap on the table beside Isaac.
Isaac touches the peak. He loves the Lakers. He wants this cap, I can tell. It’s brand, sparkling new, purple and gold. He picks it up, holds it, sighs, and gives it back to Kris. “Thanks. But no thanks,” he says.
Kris grabs it from him. “That’s what I get for sticking up for you guys.” He’s really mad. When he slams the door behind him the whole apartment shakes. We listen for the gasp of the outside door at the bottom of the stairs, and when we hear it Isaac says: “He’s gone.” He pushes the checkerboard toward me. “Your move, James.”
He watches, then makes the same exact move I make.
I smile. “You’re so weird, Isaac,” I say.
But it’s OK. He’s only six. And I’m his brother.
We have to make sure Mom’s not still waiting at the bus stop, so we play checkers awhile. Every move I make Isaac makes, too. Now that Dad’s gone he thinks I’m smarter than anybody. Besides, I’m ten and he’s only six.
When we finish two games I thump on our neighbor’s wall. We’re supposed to do that every night, every hour till bedtime. That way she knows we’re all right. She thumps back.
I look over at Isaac in his red sweatshirt. “Let’s go,” I say. “We have to be back for the next thump or she’ll come looking.”
“Will we have enough time, James?” Isaac asks me.
“I think so. Whatever it is, it shouldn’t take too long.” I’m nervous but I try not to let Isaac see.
The K-Bones are waiting at the corner by Rosetti’s Pizza Palace. They give me the high K-Bones handshake. Kris and Bones put this crew together, except it’s not really a crew. Kris says they’re just a bunch of kids who hang out and do cool stuff. Like a club. Tonight I have to prove myself so I can be in their club, too.
“How come you brought the little punk along?” Kris asks.
“I told you. I can’t leave him alone. What if something happened?”
Kris grins and gives Isaac the K-Bones shake, too. I can tell Isaac likes that.
“So what do I have to do?” I ask.
Kris rattles a can of spray paint. “Just some writing,” he says.
I take a deep breath. “You mean tagging?”
Bones shakes his head. “Crews tag. We write.” He fakes a punch at Isaac. Isaac likes that, too.
“You know the sign of the 405?” Kris asks me. I don’t know which sign he’s talking about, but I nod anyway. Isaac nods, too, though he knows even less. “The Snakes put their name on it,” Kris says. “You’re going up to put our name over theirs.”
“Cool,” I say, but I’m more nervous than ever. I hold Isaac’s hand as we cross the street; he tries to pull it away.
Now we’re walking single file on the narrow road that borders the freeway. Above us traffic roars, loud as a thousand lawn mowers. We can’t see it because there’s a sloping bank with a wall on top. TV sounds blast from the houses we pass. A dog on a chain barks at us.
Kris stops and points. High above the freeway, the green sign hangs on its metal pole. Two spotlights shine on it. ALTA EXIT it says. Except you can hardly see the words because SNAKES is written over them in red curvy letters. My stomach is acting up. That sign is high. How am I supposed to get to it?
“James has to climb that?” Isaac asks. He’s grabbing at my arms like he wants to keep me back. I wish I could slink away. But how can I? I’m here to prove I’m t ough enough to be in K-Bones.
We climb the bank, which is covered with scrubby plants.
“But, James…” There are tears in Isaac’s eyes.
“I’ll be OK,” I say. “Remember the school picnic when I climbed that cliff?”
“Yeah, but…”
Yeah, but…
I hand him my jacket. “Hold this.”
Bones gives me the can of spray paint, and Kris boosts me up on the wall. It shakes and jolts as the traffic goes by. It’s a miracle this wall is still standing. It must be made of steel or something.
“See that electric box halfway up the pole?” Kris shouts. “Stand on that.”
I shinny up the pole, slide back, go up again. The pole slams and shakes under my hands. A jumping jackhammer probably feels like this. My foot finds the electric box, and I drag myself onto the platform. I cling to the sign. Wind lifts my hat, balloons my shirt. Below me the chain of headlights goes on forever. I make myself look down and back. Isaac and the K-Bones are a hazy blur.
My finger are so numb I can’t make the paint spray out of the can. When it does the whoosh blows back on me.
But now I’m writing K-BONES, looping the letters over the ones already there. I’m doing it left-handed because I’m clinging to the sign with my right arm, and I’ve got my eyes closed so the paint doesn’t get in them. When I reach the S, I look. I can read it! Yeah! I drop the can on the bank and slide down the pole. Bones and another guy hoist me off the wall. It’s a good thing, because I couldn’t have jumped. I lean back. The wall is so solid. So is the ground.
Isaac’s holding my legs and crying his head off.
“I thought you were going to fall,” he says.
“Naw.” I’m suddenly so cool. I take my bunched-up jacket.
The guys push around me, shouting “Great, man!” and stuff like that.
“We’re up!” Kris says. “But we gotta get out of here fast. Somebody could have called us in.”
I grab Isaac’s hand and we start running. I’m looking back at the sign.
“Do you do this a lot?” I ask Kris, panting out the words because we’re running so hard.
He flashes me a grin that I can see clearly in the streetlights.
“Sometimes we play the ‘take-it’ game. You know, take it from the minimarket, take it from Bates Drugs.”
“You mean, steal?”
“No, it’s a game.”
“You’re pulling me too fast,” Isaac whines, and I slow down a little. I’m not feeling too great about getting him mixed up in this. I should have known the kind of stuff the K-Bones do. I’m not that dumb. Maybe I did know. But I wanted to be in with them.
Suddenly everyone stops.
“Snakes!” one of the K-Bones yells
The guys in front of us are all wearing black. They’re big. Maybe they’re even in high school.
“K-Bones rule!” Kris calls out, but his voice is as rattly as the freeway pole.
“Not for long,” one of the Snakes says, and I’m thinking, OK, they’re going to go right back up that pole and write over what I just wrote. Then the K-Bones will come back and…
“Run! Go! They’ve got a gun!” Bones shouts.
A gun! I’ve never felt my heart slide around the way it’s sliding now.
We’re all running. I’m dragging Isaac ‘cause he’s so slow. The K-Bones are way ahead.
Then I hear a shot. I’ve heard shots before around our building, and I know how they sound.
Isaac falls, and for an awful minute I think he’s been hit. But it’s just that I’m pulling him too fast. “Let go of me! Stop!” he yells.
His knees are scraping along the ground and he’s screaming his head off but I can’t stop. We’ve got to get away. I glance down. Oh no! The knees have been torn out of his jeans and there’s blood. I look back and see the Snakes have disappeared, so I stop.
“Aw, Isey,” I say. “I’m sorry. Are you OK?” I crouch down beside him.
That’s when he sees the blood, and that’s when he really starts screaming. “Blood! Blood!” he yells.
I have to almost carry him home, and when we get there Mom and Mrs. Lopez from next door are waiting. Mom’s still in her Drew’s Cafe uniform.
“You didn’t thump, James,” Mrs. Lopez says, all mad. “And when I came in you were gone. What are you trying to do? Give me an attack?”
Mom’s staring at Isaac’s knees. “What happened?”
“He fell down,” I say.
“I fell down,” Isaac says.
Mom frowns. “I’m not happy about this, James. I have to be able to trust you.”
She bathes the blood away and puts on antiseptic stuff that stins and makes Isaac yell some more. Mrs. Lopez gets the bandages.
Mom says that from now on she’s taking no more chances. Tomorrow she’ll put a notice on the supermarket board and have someone stay with us full-time while she’s at work. She’ll find the money somehow.
“I’d do it myself, but Mr. Lopez likes me with him at night,” Mrs. Lopez says. Mom tells her she understands.
For now, Isaac and I are on our honor. Even so, we have to thump on the wall every half hour.
The very next night, we’re playing checkers when someone knows real softly on the door. Through the peephole I see Kris. I let him in. He’s wearing a brand-new Lakers cap and carrying another.
“How are you doing?” he asks Isaac, staring at the bandages.
“He could have been dead,” I say.
Kris grins. “Naw. Those Snakes couldn’t hit a brick wall if they had a cannon. When we get a gun…” He stops.
When they get a gun! Oh, great! Give me a break, I think.
“Anyway,” Kris says. “The K-Bones took a vote. You’re in, James. You, too, Isaac, even though you’re just a little punk.” He takes off the Lakers cap and gives it to me. “We’ve all got these now,” he says. “Club caps.”
I turn it in my hand. Club cap. Crew cap. Lifted in a take-it game.
I give it back. “Thanks. But no thanks.”
Kris looks at me. It’s like he’s reading my thoughts. He looks away.
“Well, here’s yours.” He sets the other cap on the table beside Isaac.
Isaac touches the peak. He loves the Lakers. He wants this cap, I can tell. It’s brand, sparkling new, purple and gold. He picks it up, holds it, sighs, and gives it back to Kris. “Thanks. But no thanks,” he says.
Kris grabs it from him. “That’s what I get for sticking up for you guys.” He’s really mad. When he slams the door behind him the whole apartment shakes. We listen for the gasp of the outside door at the bottom of the stairs, and when we hear it Isaac says: “He’s gone.” He pushes the checkerboard toward me. “Your move, James.”
He watches, then makes the same exact move I make.
I smile. “You’re so weird, Isaac,” I say.
But it’s OK. He’s only six. And I’m his brother.
February 18, 2017
The book teaches us about what could happen when you put you or your siblings in trouble and you too so we all need to be more careful in life.
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May 21, 2009ur move was a popinq book evry1 shud read eht
May 26, 2017
Although some readers might regard this book's content as being a bit dated, I disagree. It reminds me of the choices faced every day by many of my students when I was teaching in New Orleans and then later in Tallulah. I daresay youngsters the ages of the two brothers in the book--James is 10 and Isaac is 6--face this sorts of decisions quite often, and the path they choose will lead them into further danger or keep them safe. James is hoping to gain acceptance by the K-Bones, a group of boys who hang out together and engage in some risky behavior such as shoplifting and tagging. Because their mother has arranged for a neighbor to keep an eye on them, they must slip out secretly and be back within an hour. Of course, James must pass the test the others have devised for him to gain their acceptance and respect, and although it's scary, he handles himself just fine. But the rival group, the Snakes, show up, and things get dangerous quickly. One of the Snakes even has a gun, and the boys must flee the scene. Isaac falls and hurts himself, and the two of them face grave consequences from their mother when they arrive home. Apparently, this experience was a wake-up call for James because he rebuffs his friend, Kris, when he visits later to inform the boys they have been voted into the K-Bones. James knows exactly what he could have lost, and he is also fully aware that his little brother looks up to him and will follow in his footsteps, a notion that is carried through in the use of the checkers game at the start and at the conclusion of the story. Rendered in oils, the illustrations are vibrant and filled with life and show the very real fear of getting hurt or caught on the faces of the boys. Just how dangerous the brothers' adventure has been is illustrated with the dark colors used in the images too. This is a picture book that could be shared effectively with youngsters at any age, from elementary all the way up to middle grades or junior high since it imparts an important lesson about how others watch our actions and emulate us, whether we are an older family member or happen to be a celebrity and role model. Youngsters will also appreciate that the author has chosen not to tie up loose ends by having the K-Bones or the Snakes arrested or in trouble for their actions, an authorial decision that would be important to discuss with readers.
September 12, 2018
Your move by Eve Bunting
Review by Mei Chen
This story is telling the bigger brother James wants to join the K-Bones club, one night he took his little brother Isaac sneaked out from their room to meet with the other kids from the K-Bones club. They told James if he wants to be one of them, he has to paint their club name on the green sign. And James finally climbed on the really high freeway green sign painted the club’s name, but when they one the way back home, he knew the kids from this club are unlike what he imagined, they would do something illegal, and he also realized it is really dangerous to be with them, because Isaac was injured when he was trying to run away from the bigger kids from Snakes club have guns in their hands with Isaac. On the next day, one of the members from K-Bones club came to their house, and told them they are qualified to join in the club, but both siblings refuse the cap that symbolize for being part of the club, and they started playing the checker game.
In this story, the brother is a reference object of the younger brother, no matter what James does, Isaac will imitate, in the text, the James knows this, and finally decided not to let himself and his younger brother hang out with those kids anymore. This story simply expressed a truth to children, never change yourself for the sake of others and never force yourself to do anything against your mind to get approval from others.
The illustrations are realistic and simple, describes the senses from text clear and well, on the cover page of the book, the bigger brother hugs surround his little brother and reading books together, it represents bigger brother is protecting his younger brother and also teaching him a lesson.
This book is good for students who have siblings, they will learn how to treat their siblings at home from this book, no matter how old they are, the biggest or youngest, they should always treat themselves as a big adult take the responsibility for the consequences what they have been done.
Review by Mei Chen
This story is telling the bigger brother James wants to join the K-Bones club, one night he took his little brother Isaac sneaked out from their room to meet with the other kids from the K-Bones club. They told James if he wants to be one of them, he has to paint their club name on the green sign. And James finally climbed on the really high freeway green sign painted the club’s name, but when they one the way back home, he knew the kids from this club are unlike what he imagined, they would do something illegal, and he also realized it is really dangerous to be with them, because Isaac was injured when he was trying to run away from the bigger kids from Snakes club have guns in their hands with Isaac. On the next day, one of the members from K-Bones club came to their house, and told them they are qualified to join in the club, but both siblings refuse the cap that symbolize for being part of the club, and they started playing the checker game.
In this story, the brother is a reference object of the younger brother, no matter what James does, Isaac will imitate, in the text, the James knows this, and finally decided not to let himself and his younger brother hang out with those kids anymore. This story simply expressed a truth to children, never change yourself for the sake of others and never force yourself to do anything against your mind to get approval from others.
The illustrations are realistic and simple, describes the senses from text clear and well, on the cover page of the book, the bigger brother hugs surround his little brother and reading books together, it represents bigger brother is protecting his younger brother and also teaching him a lesson.
This book is good for students who have siblings, they will learn how to treat their siblings at home from this book, no matter how old they are, the biggest or youngest, they should always treat themselves as a big adult take the responsibility for the consequences what they have been done.
October 9, 2020
This story portrays one day in the life of an African American 10 year old boy and is six year old brother. Their mother works nights, so the narrator takes care of his six year old brother at home while keeping in contact (by wall knock) every hour with the neighbor lady. One evening, the boys sneak out of the apartment to meet up with a group of the boys friends, and he gets himself into a sticky situation by wanting to prove that he was cool enough to be a part of the groups "club." In the end, knowing that his little brother looks up to him and mimics the things he does, he decides that being a part of the "club" is not worth his troubles.
This children's realistic-fiction picture book is a great example of some of the challenges that children face in inner-cities all over the world. It represents learning from one's' mistakes and deciding to make the right choice in the end. This book can be used to discuss cultural and ethnical norms and biases within a mid or secondary school level for cultural or ethical inquiry, as a writing prompt, or as a companion text. At the elementary level, this book can be used to teach the difference between wanting to fit in and doing something wrong to fit in, as well as learning from one's own lived mistakes or integrity. As a book about two young African American boys, this book can also be used to present a story about a minority within some rural schools and in those who have African Americans as a minority.
This children's realistic-fiction picture book is a great example of some of the challenges that children face in inner-cities all over the world. It represents learning from one's' mistakes and deciding to make the right choice in the end. This book can be used to discuss cultural and ethnical norms and biases within a mid or secondary school level for cultural or ethical inquiry, as a writing prompt, or as a companion text. At the elementary level, this book can be used to teach the difference between wanting to fit in and doing something wrong to fit in, as well as learning from one's own lived mistakes or integrity. As a book about two young African American boys, this book can also be used to present a story about a minority within some rural schools and in those who have African Americans as a minority.
September 15, 2019
This book is mainly an illustration of oil painting and is very realistic. However, because the painting is very heavy, it makes me feel that this is a very moving story.
The cover of this book is a pair of brothers, and the title on the right is very prominent. The last page of the book is five children cheering outside the store.
This book is a square book that is easy for children to carry, and the material of this book is made of waterproof material, so when children accidentally put water on the book, they can also deal with it immediately. The story ends with courage and responsibility, and it is very moving. The design of this book is also very simple, each page is accompanied by an illustration and a paragraph of text. Vivid illustrations provide readers with rich visual experience. And the drawing uses shadows and shadows to outline the whole picture, which makes the whole story very layered.
The cover of this book is a pair of brothers, and the title on the right is very prominent. The last page of the book is five children cheering outside the store.
This book is a square book that is easy for children to carry, and the material of this book is made of waterproof material, so when children accidentally put water on the book, they can also deal with it immediately. The story ends with courage and responsibility, and it is very moving. The design of this book is also very simple, each page is accompanied by an illustration and a paragraph of text. Vivid illustrations provide readers with rich visual experience. And the drawing uses shadows and shadows to outline the whole picture, which makes the whole story very layered.
February 12, 2018
I am only giving this book four stars for the simple fact that the ending is unrealistic. The theme is great overall. It's about a boy who yearns to be "cool" and goes through a gang initiation, but when he realizes how much danger he is putting himself and his little brother in, he decides he doesn't want to be a part of it. The gang leader, while annoyed at him for backing out, accepts his decision. I only say it's unrealistic because in a real gang, getting out of the gang would be much more complicated and possibly even more dangerous than just staying in the gang. The message, though, is the more important part to the story. Resist peer pressure, take responsibility for your bad decisions, etc.
April 7, 2019
This is about a boy getting involved in a gang. He wants the excitement, but when his younger brother gets involved and stealing is involved he doesn't want to. Unfortunately, getting involved doesn't usually involve backing out that easily in real life. We have had gangs in our town for years and the stories I've heard are way worse. Maybe this book could start a conversation about what a gang is and does. It was published in 1998. It is 20 years old.
September 18, 2019
I think that this is an amazing book to teach kids about gang violence and how awful of situations they could be into if they associate themselves with people like that. The book sends such a good message, that even if all of your friends are part of something and its bad that maybe you shouldn't be friends with them. Aside from the story, I loved the use of acrylic paint in the illustrations and the full-bleed of the illustrations really pulls you into the world of the story.
February 4, 2020
Personally I liked this book a lot because of the message its sending out to children. The young boy, James, thought that he was just going to join a club but when he realized that it was a gang in reality, he immediately did his best to take his brother out of that situation. It shows kids that we all make mistakes, but that its never too late to put a stop or to fix our mistakes.
Want to read
October 27, 2020What I think about the book Your Move is about a boy named James wants to be cool, But it goes bad. I really think this is a good book, I really want this to be like a live action film or something.
May 5, 2016
Language, culture, setting, and relationships are here represented within the single-parent family context. Two little boys of ages 6 and 10 are left alone at home since their mother has to go to work. Their Neighbor, Mrs. López, watch them without her physical presence, they must knock the wall every hour to let her know they are there safe and sound.
The two main characters: James, the older brother, who represents a role model for the young brother Isaac shows to have agency when they come to realize their lives are in danger and care about each other. However, the peer pressure and the James’s desire for belonging to a young gang leads them to act according to what others think of them. All gang members are shown here that are black, something that evidences a biased point of view that should not be always taken for granted and shown to young readers.
The difference here is constructed through the hierarchy of roles in the young gang, codes showing the identity of this gang and codes or attitudes that go against it, defensiveness and territoriality and loyalty of young children area are asked to demonstrate to its members. Age is also part of the difference in terms of how the younger brother intends to follow in the footsteps of older brother since the father has left home. This is a fairly straightforward way to introduce young readers differences created in families due to family and / or dropouts and the causes of it in children conflicts.
Inequity is seen in terms of lack of opportunities to keep a family together and also to provide kids with appropriate family role models. An unequal world is here presented as the one that does not foster the kids to show what they are really capable of neither it provides a safe environment for them to develop their potential to succeed in other space unrelated to a gang. However, both children courageously show the power of choice when they decide to put their wellbeing first as well as the love for his mother who expects from them to become someone better than gang members who obey a bunch of disorientated kids.
Economic resources are also relevant in the story when those represent the boundaries for a mother to raise her kids because they lacked resources. Characters’ lives are interrelated in the sense they all belong to the middle-low social classes and they all can understand other sorrows as Mrs. Lopez, the neighbor, did when deciding to take care of the kids again, and helped the little family. Gang kids also relate to each other because of the lack of family ties and guidance in their growth. Only the two main characters shared their mutual care and love that allow them to come out unharmed from the test the gang made up as the kids realized another thing was their main objective: they realized how valuable is to belong to a family and that they did not need anyone from outside to tell them who they were, they were walking next to each other already discovering it.
The two main characters: James, the older brother, who represents a role model for the young brother Isaac shows to have agency when they come to realize their lives are in danger and care about each other. However, the peer pressure and the James’s desire for belonging to a young gang leads them to act according to what others think of them. All gang members are shown here that are black, something that evidences a biased point of view that should not be always taken for granted and shown to young readers.
The difference here is constructed through the hierarchy of roles in the young gang, codes showing the identity of this gang and codes or attitudes that go against it, defensiveness and territoriality and loyalty of young children area are asked to demonstrate to its members. Age is also part of the difference in terms of how the younger brother intends to follow in the footsteps of older brother since the father has left home. This is a fairly straightforward way to introduce young readers differences created in families due to family and / or dropouts and the causes of it in children conflicts.
Inequity is seen in terms of lack of opportunities to keep a family together and also to provide kids with appropriate family role models. An unequal world is here presented as the one that does not foster the kids to show what they are really capable of neither it provides a safe environment for them to develop their potential to succeed in other space unrelated to a gang. However, both children courageously show the power of choice when they decide to put their wellbeing first as well as the love for his mother who expects from them to become someone better than gang members who obey a bunch of disorientated kids.
Economic resources are also relevant in the story when those represent the boundaries for a mother to raise her kids because they lacked resources. Characters’ lives are interrelated in the sense they all belong to the middle-low social classes and they all can understand other sorrows as Mrs. Lopez, the neighbor, did when deciding to take care of the kids again, and helped the little family. Gang kids also relate to each other because of the lack of family ties and guidance in their growth. Only the two main characters shared their mutual care and love that allow them to come out unharmed from the test the gang made up as the kids realized another thing was their main objective: they realized how valuable is to belong to a family and that they did not need anyone from outside to tell them who they were, they were walking next to each other already discovering it.
April 14, 2014
Your move
This story is about two brothers. James is the older brother who is ten years old. And his little brother Isaac is six years old.
I cannot understand why James can leave Isaac. Did he think Isaac would be safety or someone will safe him or anything else. To be the old brother, James needs protect his little brother all the time because of the responsibility. I felt angry, when I read that part.
I am a sister. And I have a little brother, too. I love my little brother. Of course, I have some feelings about fretful because of his homework or his characters. I cannot bear his ugly characters. Sometimes they are like snakes, ants or even earthworms. I will blame him and tell him to write it again. But I will not let him alone and let himself to met any dangerous. No matter how busy I am, I NEVER pick him up home late. If I will be late, I will tell him in the morning. And I do not allow him to take the bus alone. Maybe this is coddle. But I will be worried to let him alone in the outside. He is just 10 years old. In my heart, he is a little baby. He needs help more than independence. Thus, I cannot understand James’ s behavior.
Although James brave enough to save his little brother in the last time, I still feel angry about his behaviors. In my heart, I will never forgive him up. Is he, knows that group of person; is he, takes Isaac to the dangerous area; is he, let Isaac alone and met the dangerous alone. I want to ask him, do you still remember why you take your little brother out. You just want to wait for your mom. Why you cannot still wait for your mom? Why you agree with their invitation? Why you take your little brother? Do you think he will face any dangerous?
This story is about two brothers. James is the older brother who is ten years old. And his little brother Isaac is six years old.
I cannot understand why James can leave Isaac. Did he think Isaac would be safety or someone will safe him or anything else. To be the old brother, James needs protect his little brother all the time because of the responsibility. I felt angry, when I read that part.
I am a sister. And I have a little brother, too. I love my little brother. Of course, I have some feelings about fretful because of his homework or his characters. I cannot bear his ugly characters. Sometimes they are like snakes, ants or even earthworms. I will blame him and tell him to write it again. But I will not let him alone and let himself to met any dangerous. No matter how busy I am, I NEVER pick him up home late. If I will be late, I will tell him in the morning. And I do not allow him to take the bus alone. Maybe this is coddle. But I will be worried to let him alone in the outside. He is just 10 years old. In my heart, he is a little baby. He needs help more than independence. Thus, I cannot understand James’ s behavior.
Although James brave enough to save his little brother in the last time, I still feel angry about his behaviors. In my heart, I will never forgive him up. Is he, knows that group of person; is he, takes Isaac to the dangerous area; is he, let Isaac alone and met the dangerous alone. I want to ask him, do you still remember why you take your little brother out. You just want to wait for your mom. Why you cannot still wait for your mom? Why you agree with their invitation? Why you take your little brother? Do you think he will face any dangerous?
November 5, 2016
When James gets recruited by the K-Bones, a well renowned gang of ten year olds, he is so excited to prove himself to the other boys, but since he is watching his little brother Isaac, he has to bring him along on the excursion. The boys tell James to tag a sign on the freeway, and he is hesitant about it but does it anyway while his little brother and the gang watch. It is revealed to James that the K-Bones steal things from the market sometimes, “sometimes we play the ‘take-it’ game,” which makes him quite uneasy about joining the gang. The K-Bones then run into the Snakes, their rival gang, and everyone scatters, Isaac falling on their way back home. They get in a bit of trouble with their mom for sneaking out, and the next night, one of the K-Bones stops by to tell James and even Isaac that they made it in the gang, but James refuses to join the gang and so does Isaac, much to the anger of the K-Bones boy. A main theme in this book is that you need to stand up for what is right, even if other people are doing the wrong things. This book could prompt a discussion about doing the right thing even in hard circumstances, with a question like, “have you ever been tempted to do the wrong thing even though you knew it was wrong?” Personally, I have not been in an excess of compromising situations like this one, but I have had to say no to things that I know are not right, which I believe is a feeling everyone can relate to.
April 9, 2012
Story is about a boy and his little brother, the boy himself wants to belong to this group which you find out latter is a gang. After he sees what he has to do to get in he starts to have second thoughts what really terns him away from this dilemma is a rival gang shows up against the one he wanted to join in originally any way they pull out a gun and he has to run away with his brother. This story has a lot of suspense building till the end and would be a good book to have students think over for it is something that could happen in real life. This book is done in a landscape style the pictures or done in some type of paint medium and are all dark shades. The fonts of the words are consistent throughout the whole book including the title. I can see this book used in a class room as a form of teaching tool for deterring students form making the wrong choices in life.
March 6, 2011
Every day children become latch key kids. With more and more parents working, older children are having to care for their younger siblings. This story can be used for any age because all age groups are affected. The illustrations relate to any city were kids hang out. Just imagine them accordingly and this story is a positive story that fits. The ending finishes with James making the good choice to not belong and then Isaac following his big brothers decision. Children are influenced by those they interact with either good or bad. This book shows children the real world influences that enter their lives and how to handle making the a right choice. This book would be excellent for 4th-9th grade read aloud.
April 19, 2011
This book is powerful. The oil paints give each illustration a solid look. That solidity, combined with the extreme body language from the characters and casual but precise word choice, make the story feel more real and kind of scary. We see how the "club" really is before our main character (James) will let himself see the truth of the crew. It's easy to get to know the brothers and to hope they make safe choices. Also, we can see from little acts like holding hands to cross the street and dragging Isaac home to safety, that James really does care about his brother and feels protective over him, even though James brought him into danger in the first place. With more than one message to take home from Your Move, this would be great for a reading group discussion!
September 5, 2011
Another amazingly well written book by Eve Bunting. I use her book to teach about social issues. All of her books lead to discussions. I actually have this book in plain text, and I read it to my class without the pictures first and stop and have them draw what they believe the picture would look like. After we read it once, I then read it with showing the pictures. It's amazing to share this story and see the kids take on the book. It is about being part of a gang and how it can get you into a lot of trouble, but you're family will always look out for each other. The brothers realize at the end, that being in a gang is not what is best. Being there for each other and looking out for one another is more important.
April 8, 2012
Eve Bunting's story Your Move ia a great story that shows courage in standing up for what is right and how to be a good role model. Throughout the story the text appears on on page while the illustrations appear on the other. The illustrations in the book are full bleed, single page spreads. The illustrater uses darker colors which gave the story a more intense feeling as I read. The text is black and medium in size against a plain white background. The point in the story where the 'Snakes' crew came in contact with 'K-Bones' was intense and really grabbed the readers attention. It showed the reality and danger of getting involved in gang activites. In the end, the story had a great message about being above the influence and making good choices.
Read
April 15, 2014This book was a story about two brother and the stuggle for an older brother to be cool and to keep his little brother out of trouble. The images in this book reminded me of the city and it hand a certain grunge factor that the city holds when you walk around in it. Not to say that it is a bad feeling but it just has this sense of life that the images portrayed. I think it was good for his brother to look out for his brother and the expresstions in their faces showed a lot about the level of inclusion they were feeling. Sometimes it seemed like they were in over their head.
November 28, 2011
Your Move is about two young brothers named Isaac and James. James who is ten years old is trying to join the gang the K-Bones, while Isaac tags along. As part of James’ initiation he must spray paint a sign. After he spray paints a sign a rival gang sees the K-Bones and starts shooting at them. Luckily, no one gets shot but Isaac gets his knees scraped up. In the end James and Isaac both turn down the invitation to join the K-bones gang.
December 14, 2013
This picture book is entitled Your Move and is by Eve Bunting. It is a realistic fiction which is geared toward younger children and can be used in different ways in grades K-4. It presents the story of two brothers left at home while their mom goes to work. The older brother is doing his best to be initiated into a gang. Once he does his deed, he becomes initiated and sees what the "gang life" is about and decides its not for him. This book could be used in a creative writing lesson.
April 15, 2009
This book is really good.This book is abot a kid named James. He wants to be part of a group. The bad think is that he has a little brother named Isaac. Isaac does everything James does. This means that Isaac allways has to do the right think. I think that every one should read this book because every one would learn a lesson. You can find this book is Ms.Jacobis libary or ask her.
Read
April 2, 2012This is a great story for children. The author speaks about and touches on the importance of family and the consequences of going against the grain. I loved the relationship between the brothers. Those who live in a single-parent family will relate to this story. This was a beautiful story and I found it to be very enjoyable.
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