New Boy by Tracy Chevalier

In my quest to read all of Shakespeare through the Shakespeare 2020 Project, I also want to tackle the Hogarth adaptations. This is a retelling of Othello! Interesting concept to take the adults and their themes of jealousy and betrayal and put them in a 1970's schoolyard.

The story reads very easily and for those that know Othello, the character comparisons were quick to ascertain. But, you don't need to know, read or see Othello to be able to read and understand this new story told by Chevalier.

Summary from Goodreads:
The tragedy of Othello is transposed to a 1970s suburban Washington schoolyard, where kids fall in and out of love with each other before lunchtime, and practice a casual racism picked up from their parents and teachers. Peeking over the shoulders of four 11 year olds--Osei, Dee, Ian, and his reluctant "girlfriend" Mimi.

Arriving at his fifth school in as many years, diplomat's son Osei Kokote knows he needs an ally if he is to survive his first day--so he's lucky to hit it off with Dee, the most popular girl in school. But one student can't stand to witness this budding relationship: Ian decides to destroy the friendship between the black boy and the golden girl. By the end of the day, the school and its key players--teachers and pupils alike--will never be the same again.

Quotes: "Though he seemed willing to be asked questions, he was not asking her anything. But boys rarely did - they were better at talking than at listening,..."

"There was no choice, really. Is there ever between the darkness and the light? You walk toward the smile rather than the frown."