Conception

Kalisha Has Conceived Something Great!

The author, Kalisha Buckhanon, touched upon so many important life-themes within 277 pages: teen pregnancy, love, fear, cyclical complacency, risk-taking and faith. These themes were brought to life through the poignant story of Shivana. We see her wade through the turbulent waters of each day as a teenager dealing with school bullies, being an outcast¿not part of the popular crowd, feeling neglected and unloved by her mother and not knowing 'or caring' about her future. As I read Shivana¿s day-to-day struggles, I had to reminiscence about my childhood and how blessed I was. My concerns as a teen were to go to school, get good grades, do my homework, do my household chores and eventually get a job when I became of working age. More importantly, I was able to be the child that I was and dream¿even if my dreams weren¿t realistic but simply to dream is a luxury that kids like Shivana couldn¿t revel in. She wasn¿t encouraged to do so neither at home or at school. She was just simply living each day without any sign leading her towards any type of future. The moment that she began to really contemplate her future and began to dream a good dream was at a moment when we all think that a teen¿s dreams are deferred 'indefinitely'. Shivana became pregnant under the worst circumstances and had to confront this hard reality head-first in a local clinic. She was in denial and in the utmost disbelief¿not because she took every precaution for this to not happen but because she didn¿t think that it could happen 'or wouldn¿t happen' to her. I felt her fear, loneliness and sorrow. How could she provide for her child when her mom is struggling to sustain a livelihood for the two of them? The author takes us on a journey throughout Shivana¿s life decision. What she ends up deciding didn¿t come easy! Simultaneously as she is thinking about what to do with this baby that is on its way, she began to really sit down and think about what on earth she would want to do with the rest of her life, especially if she decided to continue this pregnancy. Living in the projects, for her wasn¿t something she envisioned herself continuing as she got older. She wanted to live in a place that speaks opportunity and in her eyes her dwelling was far from voicing that sentiment. Her eyes were opened because of this situation and widened as her life story progressed. I wholeheartedly enjoyed Kalisha¿s depiction of this character¿Shivana was a flawed, loving and wondrous teen just like many whom I have crossed paths with. This novel, although fiction, is the eyes of the real life of some adolescents of today who are struggling to be teens, dealing with pressures that are beyond our understanding and, more specifically, trying to figure this world out to make a place for themselves within it. I urge you to run out and get this work by Kalisha¿it has made me 'even more so' to want to read her debut book release, Upstate!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good effort, but falls short...

Interesting story line, however, the book has several inconsistencies. The idea of a 15-year-old turning to sex because she feels she has nothing else going for her as far as smarts or looks, and eventually getting pregnant provides an interesting topic. As you read, you may think this would be a good book to pass onto a teenager you know, however the language/writing style may be too complex. For one, the story is being told in first-person from the main character, who's insecure and uneducated, however the vocabulary used in the book isn't consistent to the vernacular that would be used by such a character. Secondly, the writing that is narrated by the embryo could be a bit confusing to the average reader. Aside from that, the plot is quite unrealistic (i.e. a young man falling for a girl who's pregnant from the jailbird father of kids she babysat for. (I'll leave it at that as to not give away too many details.) Another problem with the book is that the first 3/4 of it goes into elaborate detail, and the last 1/4 seems rushed as it introduces new characters into an even further unlikely plot (i.e. girl moves into a shelter & suddenly stops communication with her mother before leaving for a cross-country road trip, all while deciding if she will keep her unborn child). I give it (2) stars (out of a possible 5) for the realistic parts of the story and issues presented (teenage pregnancy, not being accepted by peers, strained relationship between parent(s) and child, runaway father, etc.) You would be better off buying a used copy.

great read

a captivating look into inner city teen life and a daring perspective. being narrated by a unborn child gives the book a great twist

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