You Don’t Even Know Me: Stories and Poems about Boys by Sharon G. Flake YP FIC FLAKE

In nine stories and 13 poems, Sharon G. Flake brings the experience of African-American males to gritty unflinching life. There is Tow-Kaye marrying his pregnant girlfriend at only 16 and wondering if his life is over, Tyler explaining what it means to be a player and have game, La’Ron revealing in a letter to his uncle what it’s like to find out you have HIV, and several more that are funny, sad, hopeful, and raw.

Sharon G. Flake is an excellent writer that seems truly keyed into urban life. Her writing never feels faked or forced and her characters seem so real that you could imagine meeting them on any street. She more often writes female lead characters than male, so this book is a welcome change for male readers that like African American Lit. My favorite stories in this bunch were Getting’ Even about a young man’s decision about if he will try and find and kill his grandpa’s murderer and Girl’s Make you Weak, about how to be a player. I think I may even take notes. If you are a fan of realistic fiction about African American books this is a very good read.

Intensely Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Alice is 17 and torn between longing for the past and looking toward her future. Pamela’s pregnancy, Patrick’s departure for university, and Alice’s preparation for going to college and envisioning her future leave the protagonist wishing for the times when all her friends were still going to high school together and living in the same place. Oh, those times when life was simple and carefree. Unfortunately it takes a tragedy to bring everyone back together- a tragedy that is guaranteed to change Alice and all of her friends forever.

Intensely Alice addresses teen pregnancy, sexuality, questioning one’s faith or beliefs, and the fear of the future, which are issues young adults face as they grow toward adulthood. Naylor continues to develop the friendship between Alice, Pamela, and Elizabeth, and Alice’s boyfriend, Patrick, returns after an absence in the past few books. Readers travel with Alice to go visit Patrick while he is off studying at the University of Chicago and get to see if the couple takes their relationship to the next level. Naylor has reconnected with Alice’s voice in Intensely Alice. In the past couple of books Alice didn't sound like a teenager; whereas now her voice is more mature. Long-time fans of the series will have no trouble sinking into Alice’s story and will be left wanting more.

Intensely Alice is Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s 24th book in the Alice series. Naylor began the Alice series with the protagonist in the 6th grade. She later delivered prequels for a younger audience exploring Alice’s adventures in Grades 3, 4, and 5. The author is planning on writing one Alice book a year until Alice is 18. For every year of Alice’s life, the author delivers three books exploring Alice’s events and experiences. Afterward, she will deliver the 28th and final book, which will reflect on Alice’s life from ages 18-60. The Alice books are released annually in May.

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has had an extensive career writing for children, young adults, and adult readers. She is known for her other series: The Shiloh Books, the Bernie Magruder Books, the Cat Pack Books, the York Trilogy, and the Witch Books. Many of these books and other publications by Naylor are available at the Moore Memorial Public Library in the Children’s, Young Adult, and Fiction sections.

Nothing But Drama / by Reshonda Tate Billingsley

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Despite all her mother's warnings about her bad-rep boyfriend Keith, 15-year-old Camille still insists on seeing him--in secret. But nothing's hidden when Keith is suddenly arrested by police and Camille is suspected of harboring him (unknowingly) as a felon. Now she's forced to give up her Tuesday nights for group counseling at a local church. Court ordered restrictions and told-you-so's might seem like hardships, but nothing can compare to what Angel, another Tuesday-nighter, has on her plate. Pregnant at 16, Angel's been virtually abandoned by everyone; her boyfriend long gone and currently on the outs with her irate grandmother, she's not only without mutual support, she might soon be without a place to live.

The other group members--Jasmine & Alexis--may not look like they have any real problems but it doesn't take long for everyone to realize that just the opposite is true. Chippy Jasmine has some serious attitude and self-control issues, exhibited when her aggression gets on more than a few nerves and almost incites a brawl at the first meeting. Delicate Alexis may be from uptown (and have the clothes to advertise it), but her erstwhile family and self-image crisis have her reeling on the inside. After getting acquainted with each other in less than classy fashion, the foursome--with help from their stern but patient counselor Mrs. Rachel--steadily start to work through their problems together, slowly forging bonds that will stand up against anything.