80 pages 2 hours read

Kwame Alexander

Black Star

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 2024

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Chapter 5Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 5, Introduction Summary: “The Story of the Swim”

Nana shares how he and his cousin Kofi swam for hours or days. They swam through the ocean until they were exhausted. Then, magic happened. They were carried to shore. The boys were found by white people who they didn’t trust. These white people turned out to be good, stating that they’d help the boys get back home.

Chapter 5, Poem 1 Summary: “Fifth Sunday Surprise”

In her dream, Charley is battling Cecil’s team on the field. She’s pitching well, but she notices something strange about the batter. Before she can interpret it, Daddy wakes her up.

Chapter 5, Poem 2 Summary: “Fifth Sunday Workout”

Charley tells Daddy everything he missed in the last month, from Nana’s sickness, to meeting Mary Bethune, to her bet against Cecil. Daddy listens carefully to everything.