Dark Sons by Nikki Grimes is a verse novel that intertwines the stories of two teenage boys from different eras, both dealing with similar struggles.
In the first story, Ishmael, a boy from biblical times, has his life turned upside down when his father, Abraham, has a son with his first wife, Sarah, and sends Ishmael and his mother, Hagar, into exile. The young Ishmael feels abandoned and struggles with jealousy and loss as he attempts to find his place in the world.
The second story is about Sam, a modern-day teenager whose life changes when his father leaves his family to marry another woman. Sam feels betrayed and grapples with anger and hurt, struggling to cope with his new reality and his shifting relationship with his father.
Although Sam struggles with his emotions, he grows to love his stepbrother. He chooses the path of faith to gain clarity, and Ishmael's story inspires him as he finds his situation similar to Ishmael's. In the end, Ishmael and Sam embark on journeys toward self-discovery in search of acceptance, belonging, and strength.
