"2 Days" by L. B. Tillit

*Spoiler Alert* 

L. B. Tillit's book was lacking direction.  From the cover I assumed it was yet another teen pregnancy book.  Well, it is but it also isn't.  The novel starts with Neema being kicked out of her home when her mother doesn't believe that her sleazy boyfriend did something to Neema (the first page starts out kinda vague, we never fully find out what he did or tried to do to Neema).  She grabs some essentials and moves in with her boyfriend and his family.  Of course she forgets to take her birth control pills for 2 Days, hence the title.  She goes about her life as normal; going to school, working on the weekends, hanging out with Nate, but soon finds herself without anywhere to stay as Nate's parents get tired of her crashing on their couch without contributing to any of the bills.  From there she decides to stay with an aunt.  And soon after realizes that she is pregnant.  In the midst of this, she and Nate break up, her mom finally comes around and dumps her boyfriend, and Neema finds inspiration in Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. 

Ok, so I may have spoiled some of the book (sorry) but it just didn't feel like there was a whole lot of meat to this story.  Though it had the workings of a good plot, it felt like there was too much going on and not enough focus on any of the storylines.  It seemed like it floated from one story to the next without any real conflict.  Neema handled her pregnancy very easily and didn't seem to have to struggle in her situation.  She seemed to happily go along even though Nate wanted nothing to do with her or the baby.  She never seemed too worried about how she would afford to by diapers and other essentials or if she was really fit to raise someone.  It came across as though she was playing house.  She has a bit of redemption at the end of the book when she takes her daughter to a party and comes to the realization that this is not the environment for a baby, but it just didn't feel like enough.  In a way this book felt like it was a first draft and needed some guidance with some trimming of plot (and some elaboration with what was left).  I wanted to like this book.  I guess I wouldn't say I disliked it, but there is certainly room for improvement. 

"The Pregnancy Project" by Gaby Rodriguez

This is a very inspiring book!  Gaby Rodriguez came from a family where it was expected that she would end up a pregnant high school dropout.  So she did what anyone in that situation would do- prove them wrong.  For her high school project she set out to do just that.  Gaby convinced her school to allow her to fake a pregnancy and observe the reactions and response of those around her.  Only her mother, boyfriend, certain school officials knew the truth.  Everyone else assumed she was following in the footsteps of her mother and was going to be giving birth as a teenager.  I hear about this story on the news and was fascinated.  The idea is brilliant.  I couldn’t even begin to imagine the reactions of Gaby’s classmates when she revealed that they had all been a part of her study and that her “baby belly” was plaster and chicken wire.

Though she is a recent high school graduate, I was impressed with Gaby’s writing style.  Even though she didn’t have the best upbringing, she doesn’t show her family in an unpleasant life.  You feel for her and situation and understand where she has developed her motivation to be successful and not fall into the same life as many of her family members. 

I feel that this book is a wonderful inspiration for teenagers.  It shows that you have a say in how your life unfolds.  Your actions and decisions are what matter, not the expectations of those around you.  Gaby proves that you can make a bright future for yourself and can exceed the expectations of all around you. 

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"Hooked" by Catherine Greenman

I was anxiously awaiting the release of the novel Hooked by Catherine Greenman.  However, it left a lot to be desired.  It is a book about a pregnant teens that doesn’t focus solely on the focus.  Many of the reviews I have read complained about this, but I liked that aspect.  I feel that while a pregnancy is a huge part of someone’s life, it doesn’t define every aspect of their life.  When Thea gets pregnant of course her entire life changes, but she doesn’t let that stop her life.  She falls into motherhood with a new passion: crocheting.  With that passion comes a goal to crochet her first bikini. 

I wasn’t disappointed by this story, but more with the way it was told.  The novel was longer than it needed to be and felt a little unfocused.  I wanted a little bit more from the characters, who were interested, but still a little one dimensional.  I did enjoy the concept and felt that it was told from the heart.  I still recommend this book, realizing that I may not have been the intended audience and that other readers may gain quite a bit from this read.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"After" by Amy Efaw

This seems to be the year that I read powerful and shocking novels.  After by Amy Efaw fits that criteria in every way possible.  The novel opens with Devon lying on her living room couch.  She tells her mother that she is sick and needs to stay home, but the reader knows better.  That morning, Devon gave birth to a baby, placed her in a trash bag and discarded her in the trash can behind the apartment.  Very quickly the police arrive on her doorstep and discover what Devon has done.  She is immediately taken into custody.  As the novel progresses we see Devon through the juvenile justice system and onto court.  Though the novel takes place in a little over a week, it is difficult to grasp that so much happens in so little time.

This is likely the most impactful book I have read so far this year.  Efaw’s writing pulls on your heartstrings and does the impossible- makes the reader feel sympathetic for a character that has committed the worst crime imaginable.  When I started this book I instantly felt anger towards Devon (what else could be expected) but as the story progressed, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her and wonder if maybe there was more to her story than she had every realized or excepted.  As often happens, I had a hard time putting this book down and I believe that other readers will feel the same.




Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Tell Me a Secret" by Holly Cupala

This book surprised me in more ways than one.  I am horribly guilty of picking up books (or not picking them up) soley based on the cover.  I guess the cover of Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala caught my attraction.  And I am glad it did.


Rand's sister died five years ago and her family has yet to fully heal from the trauma.  Rand continuously finds herself in Xanda's shadow.  It is clear that Rand's mother is desperately trying to avoid making the same mistakes with her younger daughter but by doing so, she is pushing Rand further and further away.  When Rand finally takes a pregnancy test and her worst fears are confirmed, the relationship with her mother worsens- it is now or never, she must make decisions that will change her life forever.


I have read multiple books involving teenage pregnancy (The Lit Report by Sarah N. Harvey and Dancing Naked by Shelley Hrdlitschka are both highly recommended by me) and they usually follow a similar storyline.  Girl finds out she's pregnant, girl makes decision to have the baby (usually), and then figures out if she will keep the baby or give it up for adoption.  Tell Me a Secret has those same elements, but with a drastic twist.  I don't want to reveal the twist, but it will likely shock readers and have them desperately wanting to know what happens next.  This is yet another book that will stick with the reader for quite some time even after they have finished reading it.  


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Happy Reading!
-Melly