Review: Cookie: A Forth Worth Story by Tamika Newhouse

Oh how I love Christmas Break!  Over the last couple of days, I tuned out the stress, read and conducted author interviews.  This post begins the first of the book reviews so enjoy!

     LaToya 'Cookie' James and Lyric James are like oil and water.  Cookie is the quiet and reserved sister and Lyric is the boisterous older sister that is the "It Girl" within their social circle.  Raised by a tough bible-gripping, churchgoing single mother, the girls experience the fast life and learn some harsh life lessons along the way.   Readers quickly learn that Cookie is the responsible one of the two sisters.  She takes on adult responsibilities by running the household caring for their bed-ridden mother.  Lyric on the other hand cares more about 'self', parties hard and runs the street with various boys from their neighborhood.   When Cookie decides to 'come out of her shell', her life changes dramatically.

     "Cookie:  A Forth Worth Story" is a cautionary tale that will keep the reader turning the page.  The sisters often find themselves in risqué situations that they can barely get themselves out of.  A rape of a best friend, and the death of another friend forces Cookie to realize that life is not as easy as she thought it would be.   The story honestly describes what happens when a young girl grows up too fast and the painful consequences that are experienced.   

Author, Tamika Newhouse

     Based on a true story, author Tamika Newhouse vividly tells a gripping story that many of today's teens can relate to.   Newhouse is the author of "The Ultimate No No" and the CEO of Delphine Publications.  Like other adult Street Lit authors that now write for a teen audience, Newhouse has written a responsible solid story.   She takes the reader to the edge and yanks them back without describing events of the story in a graphic manner.  Teens will enjoy reading "Cookie: A Forth Worth Story," because it's highly relatable and a fast read.  Moreover, the story will generate discussion among teens and really force them to think about their choices in life.

     Newhouse leaves the reader wanting more at the end of the story.  I was so relieved to learn that the sequel "Cookie Too:  Lyric's Song," will be released in early 2012.   I plan to include this book in my high school library collection in 2012 for my die-hard and picky teen Street Lit readers.   In addition, I highly recommend that other librarians purchase the book for their library collections as well.  The book will surely be a hit with teens and will generate discussions for days to come.

Author Ni-Ni Simone

     My students and I are just crazy about author Ni-Ni Simone's books.  (Yes, I read the same books that my students love to read too!) We can't wait for the February release of her new book, "Upgrade U," to hit the bookstores.  One of my students read Simone's first book, 'Shortie Like Mine' in one day after I did a book talk on some of the new books in the Library Media Center.  When she returned to the LMC to check out the next book in the series, "If I Were Your Girl," all five copies were checked out.  After explaining to my student that I would place the book on reserve for her, the student decided to take matters into her own hands.  

     She found another student in the building that was finished with the book, but just had not returned it to the LMC.  Finding another student in the school that had the book was a pretty easy task.  The students in my high school have clear book bags and often times place the book that they are reading directly in the back of their bags to 'show off' what they are reading.  She begged the student to return the book to LMC.  The student complied and did so during the 5th period, and she returned during the 6th period to check out the book.  The expression of joy on her face was priceless and all I could do was chuckle.  It warms my heart that my students have found a book series that truly captures their voice, concerns and issues.

Author, Ni-Ni Simone
(Tu Shonda Whitaker)

     Author Ni-Ni Simone's real name is TuShonda Whitaker and is a successful adult Street Lit. writer.  Whitaker has also captured the attention of teen girls through her online magazine called Ni-Ni's Girlz.  The site is hip, fun, and addresses the many issues that teens experience today.  The articles on the site are submitted by teens and cover beauty tips, dating advice, school issues and book reviews.  I especially liked the YA lounge and the 'Ni-Ni Girl of the Month.'   If you are looking for another teen series and website to include in your library collection/homepage, encourage teen girls check out author Ni-Ni Simone at NiNiSimone.com.  Students that like to read online magazines should log onto the site to read the articles or even submit an article or poem for publication.  The author encourages teens to email their submissions at ninigirlz@ninigirlz.com.   

Myself and I by Earl Sewell

Kimani Tru’s "Myself and I" by Earl Sewell is the fifth book in the popular Keysha's Drama Series. I enjoy reading Sewell's books because they describe the ‘drama’ that tweens/teens today experience in a humorous, non-preaching manner. You may recall, I reviewed the first book in the series, ‘Keysha’s Drama’ on a previous post last year. 

The protagonist Keysha has boy trouble. After surviving a humiliating experience at her prom, she realizes her fake boyfriend Antonio is no good and breaks up with him. Her ex-Wesley also re-appears in her life and tries to pursue her with no luck. Swearing off of boys, Keysha decides to work on herself and earn her lifeguard certification during the summer. When she and her friend Maya decide to get lifeguard jobs at the local park district swimming pool, things begin to heat up. 

Her new neighbor Jerry has the three ‘C’s” cute, cocky and has a cool car. He's an excellent diver, attracts the attention of all of the girls and heats up the summer at the local pool. Keysha finds herself attracted to this new heartthrob on the block. Playing hard to get, Keysha enjoys the attention and slowly begins to put down her guard. Things come to a head when Jerry throws a rowdy party at his parent’s home and attracts the police. Keysha's, who's worked hard at controlling her temper and staying out of trouble finds herself deep in drama again. To her dismay, she is charged with criminal mischief and once again disappoints her parents. Later she learns two of her rivals, Lori and Priscilla, are behind all of the lies and accusations. Eventually it is Priscilla that confesses and Keysha’s name is finally cleared of all charges. 

I can always count on Sewell to deliver a story that kids can relate to. His books spark lively discussions with tweens/teens about drugs, alcohol, sex and peer pressure in a non-graphic manner.

Author Earl Sewell

I especially like how Sewell describes the loving exchanges between Keysha and Grandma Katie. These exchanges represent how many young people are loved and guided by elders in their family. It’s Grandma Katie that educates Keysha about the rich swimming history of African-Americans that dates back to pre-slavery days. Students will also receive a brief history lesson about Tice Davids, a slave whose daring act helped create the name, "Underground Railroad." (1) This is history moment can be used as a classroom lesson for students along with the handy readers guide questions Sewell provides at the end of the book. 

Kimani TRU was launched in 2007 to fill the void in African-American fiction for young adults. The stories focus on the triumphs, issues and concerns of tweens/teens with candor, wit and realism. The stories, sometimes edgy and address serious subjects, entertain and satisfy even the most reluctant reader. (2) Sewell’s books tackle issues that kids deal with in a sensitive, informative and humorous manner. I just hope Keysha never grows up because the stories are so engaging and well written.

If you live in Illinois or neighboring states, you have the opportunity to meet Earl Sewell at the Illinois School Library Media Association Conference in St. Charles.  He will be presenting one session for Librarians and he has just been added to the Author's Showcase.  Check out the book trailer below for the book and see for yourself. “Myself and I,” is a book that should be read tweens/teens this fall.

References

(1)     http://www.ishof.org/black_history/trailblazers.htm

(2)     http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=590

"Teenage Love Affair" by Ni-Ni Simone

Not since Anne Schraff’s “Someone to Love Me” has teen dating violence been discussed as candidly as it has in “Teenage Love Affair” by Ni-Ni Simone. The story opens with a letter to the readers from the main character Zsa-Zsa, a Newark, New Jersey teen. She explains to the reader in her own words that 'love is good, easy and free but the most important love is for you'. Words spoken from a teen that has seemingly has everything: a closet full of designer clothing, envy of her classmates, her own vehicle and a fine boyfriend Ameen who has a serious swagger that is pure ‘fiyah.’

Zsa-Zsa and her widowed mother have a strained relationship. We learn that instead of her mother spending time with her and her little sister Hadiah, she instead begins to date again and spend time away from the home. To add to her unhappy home life, Zsa-Zsa’s annoying Cousin Shake and Ms Minnie come to live with her family to help ‘bring order in the house.’

When her childhood sweetheart Malachi moves back into her neighborhood and tries to re-kindle their relationship, things become rocky between Zsa-Zsa and Ameen. Ameen becomes jealous of the way Zsa-Zsa looks and feels about the good looking and charismatic Malachi and takes his insecurities out on her. The abuse first begins verbally, and then escalates to physical abuse. Like most teens, Zsa-Zsa’s doesn’t confide in her friends or family members about the abuse until it becomes painfully obvious. After a violent attack by Ameen that leaves her unconscious, both Zsa-Zsa and her mother are forced to face old demons and make changes that will affect their lives. Author Simone reveals that the mother endured years of abuse by her deceased husband and the abuse was witnessed by Zsa-Zsa, Hadiah and her older brother Derrick. The reader watches Zsa-Zsa as she painfully struggles to break free from Ameen’s abuse and influence and begin a loving relationship with Malachi.

New characters, ‘Asha the Diva’ and the ‘Tiny and Toi’ reality show TV lovin’ Courtney round up Zsa-Zsa’s ride-or-die friends. Family members Toi, Seven, a Cousin Shake and his new bride Ms Minnie and provide comic relief to this otherwise sensitive teenage story. This book would be a good choice for a book club because there is a discussion guide at the end of the story that encourages teens to discuss teen love, dating and relationships. The chapters that describe the sexual relations between Zsa-Zsa and Ameen and the sexual tension between Zsa-Zsa and Malachi are not graphic in description but would be more suited for high school library YA collection.

All of Ni-Ni Simone’s books currently appear on the 2010 Quick Pick List for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. I like Simone’s books because they are hip, tackle issues that affect young teens today and have crossover appeal to adult readers. Her latest book, “Teenage Love Affair” is sure to be a hit with teens and I’m sure many more will follow.

"16 On The Block" by Babygirl Daniels

Summer Flynt’s life has always been rough. Her father left the family years ago leaving Summer, her mother and sister Trish to fend for themselves. When her mother is killed in a store robbery, Summer and Trish are placed in the Detroit foster care system. When Trish becomes of age, she petitions the court system and gains custody of Summer. The girls are finally reunited.

Summer moves in with Trish and her boyfriend Boss to begin a new life. Since Trish is not financially stable, she relies heavily on her boyfriend Boss for support. Summer attends a new High School and receives designer clothing, jewelry and money from Boss and Trish. Her ‘new look’ places her in the elite crowd at her school and among her peers in her neighborhood. She even receives the attention of Jus, one of the cutest boys in the neighborhood and one of Boss’ lieutenants in his organization. Overall, Summer is happy that her life is finally ‘normal’ but becomes more and more concerned for her sister Trish.

As the story progresses, the reader learns that Boss’s income is solely made from drug dealing. To make matters worse Boss has pulled Trish into the operation, sometimes puts her life at risk. Just when Trish tries to break ties with Boss, she is mysteriously killed. Summer, heartbroken and now without a family, suspects Boss for the murder. The story really picks up when Jus and Summer go on the run to hide from Boss and prove that he killed Trish. After Trish’s killer is revealed, Jus helps Summer put her life back together.

Marketed as “The Coldest Winter Ever” for teens, Babygirl Daniels gives readers a real page turner. “16 On The Block” contains some elements of ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ and ‘The Coldest Winter Ever.’ Since there’s violence, some language and one mildly graphic sexual scene, this book should only be added to high school collections. The story was a little rushed at the end, but overall was a good read and a good alternate title to some of the books marketed to an adult Urban Fiction audience. Teens can learn some life lessons in this edgy debut novel from Babygirl Daniels.