You Don't Even Know Me: Stories and Poems about Boys [NOOK Book]

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Overview

This collection of original stories and poems provides rare insight into the minds of adolescent African American boys. There’s Tow-Kaye, getting married at age seventeen to the love of his life, who’s pregnant. James writes in his diary about his twin brother’s terrible secret, while Tyler explains what it’s like to be a player with the ladies. And Eric takes us on a tour of North Philly on the Fourth of July, when the heat could make a guy go crazy. Sharon G. Flake’s talent for telling it like it is will leave readers thinking differently, feeling deeply, and definitely wanting more.

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More About This Book

Overview

This collection of original stories and poems provides rare insight into the minds of adolescent African American boys. There’s Tow-Kaye, getting married at age seventeen to the love of his life, who’s pregnant. James writes in his diary about his twin brother’s terrible secret, while Tyler explains what it’s like to be a player with the ladies. And Eric takes us on a tour of North Philly on the Fourth of July, when the heat could make a guy go crazy. Sharon G. Flake’s talent for telling it like it is will leave readers thinking differently, feeling deeply, and definitely wanting more.

Editorial Reviews

VOYA
This memorable collection of short stories and poems offers a glimpse into the urban lives of several African American boys. Tow-Kaye is marrying his pregnant girlfriend at seventeen, feeling both anticipation and dread. Ron struggles to compose a painful letter to his uncle, admitting that he has become infected with HIV since his arrival in the city. Jeffrey, thrown out of yet another relative's home and wondering where he will live, expresses a sentiment that any one of the teen boys featured here could easily utter, "[D]oing right comes out wrong no matter where I go." James meticulously plans suicide, following the self-inflicted death of his twin. The final story is a trip with Eric through the streets of North Philadelphia on the fourth of July, a colorful and dangerous place simmering with both violence and joy. Flake offers a vivid, unforgettable collection reflecting the experiences of urban African American young males. The voices ring true; these authentic characters could be sitting in any big-city classroom. The stories and poetry are quite thought provoking, particularly for readers who do not live in an urban setting. Although there are a variety of mature themes explored (teen pregnancy, relationships with older women, promiscuity, and revenge), they are not explicitly expressed and there is little profanity. This collection is recommended for reluctant readers, particularly boys. The book can be read fairly quickly, but the stories of these young men will linger with readers for much longer. Reviewer: Sherrie Williams
Kirkus Reviews
Poetry and fiction come together as Flake examines the world through young African-American male voices. Tyler's tale of constant female attention segues into La'Ron's heartfelt letter to his uncle disclosing his HIV status. Harvey walks the streets with his obese father while Eric heads out into North Philadelphia in the brutal summer heat. Tow-Kaye is 17 and marrying his pregnant girlfriend, while Jeffery is 15 and being seduced by an older woman. Similar voices and unremarkable vignettes blend together into an afterschool special of sorts-a disappointment from such a powerful and moving author. Many of the poems have pop and James's diary record of suicide, emotional trauma and abuse has some resonance, but they can't support the weaker works. A very short resource list offers contact information for call lines regarding abuse, pregnancy, suicide and HIV. A rare letdown from an otherwise excellent author. (Short stories/poetry. YA)
More Reviews (3) Fewer Reviews
Barbara A. Ward
This highly readable collection amplifies the voices of urban teens as they maneuver through their city streets, facing the unique challenges that teen males encounter in today's world. The 14 poems and 9 short stories remind readers that their assumptions about the young African American males sitting beside them in classrooms are often completely false. Teens will relate to much in these stories, often recognizing themselves and their own difficult choices. Familiar concerns about homelessness, suicide, or dying young are addressed as well as doing the right thing amid regrets after making costly mistakes. In "Scared to Death,"17-year-old Tow-Kaye finds that marrying his pregnant Cinderella may not lead to happily-ever-after. The short stories "Fat Man Walking" and "Girls Make You Weak" are, by turns, hilarious and yet poignant, revealing the love that may be found in the streets of Philadelphia and, by extension, in our own neighborhoods. Reviewer: Barbara A. Ward
Children's Literature
This collection of short stories and poems is written from the perspective of urban teen boys, many of them explicitly African American. Nevertheless, the issues, emotions, and struggles are those faced by many teens across the spectrum of cultures. Topics range from the excitement of your first kiss to the terror of finding yourself homeless or infected with AIDS. The voices are authentic and often compelling—you feel the fear, the despair, the rage, and the edginess. The stories do not all have happy endings, but in that way, they reflect the real situations of so many urban youths. This is a book that might appeal to reluctant readers because of its modular structure and gritty subjects. It also offers a lot of food for classroom discussion about issues such as personal responsibility, death, discrimination, peer pressure, and sexuality. A list of helplines for suicide, pregnancy, sexual and domestic abuse, and HIV/AIDS follows the text. Reviewer: Paula McMillen, Ph.D.
School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up—Ten portraits interspersed with poetry draw readers into the lives of a variety of African-American teens. In "Getting Even," a boy copes with his grandfather's death and the desire to find who killed him. Jeffery, 16, gets thrown out of his Auntie's house with nowhere to go. Eric goes against his dad's command to stay home with his siblings and instead finds a girl, some fun, and some trouble; Justin writes in his journal about death, suicide, and sexual abuse. La'Ron is too afraid to tell his father he is HIV positive, so he writes him a letter, and his father writes back. The concluding story, "Pretty Mothers Are a Problem," is a chilling portrait of 15-year-old Jeffrey, seduced by a neighbor, and the devastation faced by her daughter. These complex and thought-provoking stories won't disappoint.—Amy Cheney, Alameda County Library, Oakland, CA

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781423136675
  • Publisher: Disney Book Group
  • Publication date: 2/16/2010
  • Sold by: Barnes & Noble
  • Format: eBook
  • Sales rank: 100,364
  • Age range: 14 - 17 Years
  • File size: 1 MB

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 10 )

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Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 11, 2011

    I knew it

    Shron g. Flake's books are about girls. But she seems to really blossem with boys books. Between this book and bang she seems to know more about a boys life than a boy. But iyts the girls books that made me foll in love with her. Without money hungry, begging for change, and who am i without him, my life wouldn't be complete

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  • Posted May 6, 2011

    Love books

    I love this book im almost done its so good :)

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 16, 2011

    omg

    i love his poems like its real deep and im not saying i know what he going though but it touched me .!!!!! read it its good

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    Posted February 5, 2012

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    Posted May 18, 2011

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    Posted December 25, 2010

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    Posted July 19, 2011

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