New Boy

This complex, modern version of ‘Othello’ is set in the 1970s and tells of Osei, a young black boy, who goes to his fourth school in six years, prepared for what he must do to survive. He makes a connection with Dee, but Ian, the schoolyard bully, is envious of the relationship and things take a bad turn. Taking place over the course of only one day, the novel highlights the themes of betrayal, racism, bullying, abuse, gender stereotypes, and envy, and would be a useful lit circle, individual, or whole class selection in grades 10-12. Some social considerations noted.