Dark Dude

Hijuelos, Oscar. Dark Dude. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008. Print. ISBN 978-1-4169-4804-9. Hardcover. $16.99 USD.

 

Available Formats: Paperback, hardcover, library binding hardcover, eBook, and unabridged audio CD. 

Annotation: Fifteen year old Rico Fuentes is an outcast in his diverse Harlem neighborhood, due to his fair skin and light complexion. Tired of being bullied, Rico leaves his family in New York to live with his friends in Wisconsin. He hopes this new life will allow him to find his true identity and fit in.

Book Talk: Open End and Snap n' Read Techniques

What is the definition of a Dark Dude?

(Read from book. First page of Part 1: Hanging on the Stoop)

"1.What a male of light skin is derisively called by persons of color. 2. A person considered suspect because of his light complexion, especially in criminal circumstances. 3. Someone who is not considered “streetwise”. 4. A white person considered not to be “hip”. They are “Straight” “Uncool”. 5. An outsider, particularly in the context of ghetto society.

--From the hypothetical dictionary of American slang." (Hijuelos)

This is a label that fifteen year old Rico Fuentes has been battling his entire life.

With his light hair and complexion, people find it hard to believe he is Cuban. Rico's fair appearance makes him an outsider, and target, in his ethnically diverse neighborhood of Harlem, during the late 1960's early 70's.What makes him even more different than everyone else is his passion for books, music and comics.

Rico hopes that he can one day be a famous comic book writer with his friend Jimmy. However, this goal seems nearly impossible since he goes to one of the worst schools in the neighborhood and his friend Jimmy has started using drugs. Discouraged, Rico starts cutting classes. When his parents catch on they threaten to ship him off to his strict uncle in Florida. Feeling scared, angry and helpless, Rico decides to flee. With his friend Jimmy, Rico sets out on a difficult journey to live with is friend Gilberto in Wisconsin. However, Rico's new life proves to be just as challenging as his life in Harlem. 

Throughout the story we follow Rico on his quest to find his true identity. Will he be able to start a new life in Wisconsin? Will he reach his goals? Will he ever be considered anything more than a Dark Dude?

Fun tip: The book is set in the late 1960's, early 70's. There are many references to music and television shows specific to that era. Look up these items, or ask your parents about them!

Awards and Honors:
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
International Latino Book Award Winner

New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age

Américas Award Honorable Mention 

(Image courtesy of BCLS)

Listen to samples of Rico's favorite music below!

Peace in Mississippi by Jimi Hendrix

Cha Cha Music

El Sol de la Noche by Salsa Céltica.

Additional Author Information:

To learn more about Oscar Hijuelos, visit his official page here!