Not So Pure and Simple

by Lamar Giles

Overview

"Hysterical. I couldn’t put it down.” (Nic Stone) "I laughed, I gasped, I church grunted through every chapter." (Tiffany D. Jackson) "Heartfelt and hilarious on every page!" (Justin A. Reynolds)

4 starred reviews! * An Indie Next List Pick! * Named one of Bank Street College of Education's Best Children’s Books of the Year!

Two-time Edgar Award finalist Lamar Giles spotlights the consequences of societal pressure, confronts toxic masculinity, and explores the complexity of what it means to be a “real man.”

Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she’s finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del’s right behind her. Though he quickly realizes he’s inadvertently signed up for a Purity Pledge.

His dad thinks his wires are crossed, and his best friend, Qwan, doesn’t believe any girl is worth the long game. But Del’s not about to lose his dream girl, and that’s where fellow pledger Jameer comes in. He can put in the good word. In exchange, Del just has to get answers to the Pledgers’ questions…about sex ed.

With other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del needs to make his move fast. But as he plots and plans, he neglects to ask the most important question: What does Kiera want? He can’t think about that too much, though, because once he gets the girl, it’ll all sort itself out. Right?

"With true-to-life characters and a straightforward handling of sex, including often ignored aspects of male sexuality, Giles’s thoughtful, hilarious read offers a timely viewpoint on religion, toxic masculinity, and teen sexuality." (Publishers Weekly, "An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List")

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062349194
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	01/21/2020
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	435,623
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.60(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Lamar Giles writes for teens and adults. He is the author of the Edgar Award finalists Fake ID and Endangered as well as the critically acclaimed Overturned, Spin, and The Last Last-Day-of-Summer. He is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books and resides in Virginia. Visit him online at www.lamargiles.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 11/04/2019

High schooler Del Rainey has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten, but Kiera has “never been single. Nev. Er.” When she suddenly experiences a breakup, though, he’s determined to give things a go, inadvertently signing up for their church’s Purity Pledge group alongside her, an eight-week program offering “a thorough review of why Jesus wants me to abstain.” Though he’s a virgin, Del has a reputation for being a player at school, and Kiera won’t entertain his clumsy advances. Meanwhile, Del navigates being the guy who has to ask awkward questions in the sex ed class the other Purity Pledgers aren’t allowed to take amid rumors about the Baby-Getters Club—a supposed pact among some of the girls at school to get pregnant at the same time. With true-to-life characters and a straightforward handling of sex, including often ignored aspects of male sexuality, Giles’s thoughtful, hilarious read offers a timely viewpoint on religion, toxic masculinity, and teen sexuality. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

A compelling story of young people sorting through conflicting messages and social pressures around sexuality and relationships. Powerful.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“The novel takes on teen attitudes toward sex and relationships and gender power dynamics in a way that is appealing and thought provoking. Hilariously necessary.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Giles’s thoughtful, hilarious read offers a timely viewpoint on religion, toxic masculinity, and teen sexuality.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"With a fresh perspective, Giles takes care to flesh out his full cast of characters, creating an intricate, multifaceted web of misogyny and its detrimental impact." — Booklist (starred review)

“This is a deeply funny and searingly honest look at teen sex, adults’ anxieties around it, and the toxic masculinity that so often shapes it.”  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Holy hell! This was perfect timely read! I laughed, I gasped, I church grunted through every chapter. Giles is a master at writing realistic characters that are both flawed and relatable.” — Tiffany D. Jackson

"Heartfelt and hilarious on every page! Giles is not only adept at storytelling, he understands what makes us human.” — Justin A. Reynolds

“Realistic...hysterical. I couldn’t put it down.” — Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin

“Lamar Giles continues to prove he’s untouchable when crafting unforgettable characters. Readers will laugh hysterically but will lean in to the novel when Giles takes an honest look into masculinity and flips the ol’ premise of “boy gets girl.” — Lilliam Rivera, author of Dealing in Dreams and The Education of Margot Sanchez

“Not So Pure and Simple manages to put real issues in the spotlight, like toxic masculinity and societal pressures on youth while still being a funny, heartfelt, and wildly charming read! Get ready to hug this book as you’ll be cheering for Del along the way!” — Jay Coles, author of Tyler Johnson Was Here

“Lamar Giles’s writing is smart, funny, and lit. And he does it while taking on toxic masculinity. Not since Chris Lynch’s Inexcusable have I read a more thought-provoking, pull-no-punches take on what our ‘nice’ boys learn from us as a society. This book is excellent.” — Tracey Baptiste, author of The Jumbies.

“I love this book! With a voice that’s original, hilarious, and so, so real, Lamar Giles’ Not So Pure and Simple is an exceptional treat from the moment it begins, and delivers a satisfying story all the way to the finish. And I didn’t want it to end.” — Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of Two Naomis  

“With realism and humor, Giles paints the complicated, messy reality that many teens face in navigating sexuality, relationships, and the conflicting messages they receive from society.”  — Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

"Heartfelt and hilarious on every page! Giles is not only adept at storytelling, he understands what makes us human.

Justin A. Reynolds

Lamar Giles continues to prove he’s untouchable when crafting unforgettable characters. Readers will laugh hysterically but will lean in to the novel when Giles takes an honest look into masculinity and flips the ol’ premise of “boy gets girl.

Lilliam Rivera

Realistic...hysterical. I couldn’t put it down.

Nic Stone

Holy hell! This was perfect timely read! I laughed, I gasped, I church grunted through every chapter. Giles is a master at writing realistic characters that are both flawed and relatable.

Tiffany D. Jackson

With realism and humor, Giles paints the complicated, messy reality that many teens face in navigating sexuality, relationships, and the conflicting messages they receive from society.” 

Horn Book Magazine

I love this book! With a voice that’s original, hilarious, and so, so real, Lamar Giles’ Not So Pure and Simple is an exceptional treat from the moment it begins, and delivers a satisfying story all the way to the finish. And I didn’t want it to end.

author of Two Naomis   Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

This is a deeply funny and searingly honest look at teen sex, adults’ anxieties around it, and the toxic masculinity that so often shapes it.” 

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Holy hell! This was perfect timely read! I laughed, I gasped, I church grunted through every chapter. Giles is a master at writing realistic characters that are both flawed and relatable.

Tiffany Jackson

"Heartfelt and hilarious on every page! Giles is not only adept at storytelling, he understands what makes us human.

Justin Reynolds

Lamar Giles continues to prove he’s untouchable when crafting unforgettable characters. Readers will laugh hysterically but will lean in to the novel when Giles takes an honest look into masculinity and flips the ol’ premise of “boy gets girl.

Lilliam Rivera

Holy hell! This was perfect timely read! I laughed, I gasped, I church grunted through every chapter. Giles is a master at writing realistic characters that are both flawed and relatable.

Tiffany Jackson

"Heartfelt and hilarious on every page! Giles is not only adept at storytelling, he understands what makes us human.

Justin Reynolds

"With a fresh perspective, Giles takes care to flesh out his full cast of characters, creating an intricate, multifaceted web of misogyny and its detrimental impact."

Booklist (starred review)

I love this book! With a voice that’s original, hilarious, and so, so real, Lamar Giles’ Not So Pure and Simple is an exceptional treat from the moment it begins, and delivers a satisfying story all the way to the finish. And I didn’t want it to end.

author of Two Naomis   Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

Realistic...hysterical. I couldn’t put it down.

Nic Stone

Lamar Giles’s writing is smart, funny, and lit. And he does it while taking on toxic masculinity. Not since Chris Lynch’s Inexcusable have I read a more thought-provoking, pull-no-punches take on what our ‘nice’ boys learn from us as a society. This book is excellent.

Tracey Baptiste

Not So Pure and Simple manages to put real issues in the spotlight, like toxic masculinity and societal pressures on youth while still being a funny, heartfelt, and wildly charming read! Get ready to hug this book as you’ll be cheering for Del along the way!

Jay Coles

★ 11/01/2019

Gr 8 Up—Del Rainey attends church with his mother just to get close to his crush, Kiera Westing. When Kiera and other teens approach the altar during a service, he jumps up to join the youth group so he can spend more time with Kiera. Del realizes he just became a Purity Pledger, committed to staying "sexually pure" until marriage. Jameer, another Purity Pledger, promises to help Del connect with Kiera in exchange for the one thing Pledgers don't have—access to accurate information about sexual health. Del is the only one taking Healthy Living at school; the pastor won't allow his young parishioners to enroll. This happens right after a spate of teen pregnancies in town. Local media called it a pregnancy pact, though it was actually the result of multiple snow days and boredom. One of the girls tires of being labeled a "Baby-Getter" and calls out her child's father on social media, demanding accountability for the fathers and less focus on the mothers. Without being didactic, this story explores expectations around gender roles and calls out toxic behaviors that even "good guys" are guilty of. The impact of social media, religion, and adults' handling of these issues is also examined. The narrative successfully integrates all of these elements into a compelling story of young people sorting through conflicting messages and social pressures around sexuality and relationships. The characters and their reactions to various situations are realistically complicated, creating a believable, relatable story. VERDICT A powerful first purchase for any library serving teens.—Carla Riemer, Albany High School, CA

School Library Journal

★ 2019-10-13
Teen boy gets hard lessons on dating, friendship, and toxic masculinity.

Delbert Rainey Jr. has never been great at dating. He's been in love with the same girl since kindergarten—Kiera Westing—but has never made a move. And despite his legendary reputation, thanks to an infamous basement party, he is still a virgin. When Kiera and her boyfriend break up, Del seizes the opportunity, even if it means accidentally joining the First Missionary House of the Lord's Purity Pledge, created after nine teens at Green Creek High School became pregnant, sparking pregnancy pact conspiracy theories. Additionally, the high school has changed its abstinence-only sex ed elective, and Del, enrolled by his parents, is surprised to see parallels—but with advice framed as polar opposites. Del's naiveté and missteps are wonderful character flaws, and readers will laugh out loud as he plays spy in his high school class for his fellow Purity Pledgers. When a teen mom fights back at the Baby-Getters Club label they've been given and creates her own hashtag, members of the community, including Del, have to face up to the double standards and inappropriate behavior boys get away with and are even encouraged in. The novel takes on teen attitudes toward sex and relationships and gender power dynamics in a way that is appealing and thought provoking. Main characters are black.

Hilariously necessary. (Fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews

This is a deeply funny and searingly honest look at teen sex, adults’ anxieties around it, and the toxic masculinity that so often shapes it.” 

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Not So Pure and Simple manages to put real issues in the spotlight, like toxic masculinity and societal pressures on youth while still being a funny, heartfelt, and wildly charming read! Get ready to hug this book as you’ll be cheering for Del along the way!

Jay Coles

"With a fresh perspective, Giles takes care to flesh out his full cast of characters, creating an intricate, multifaceted web of misogyny and its detrimental impact."

Booklist (starred review)

Lamar Giles’s writing is smart, funny, and lit. And he does it while taking on toxic masculinity. Not since Chris Lynch’s Inexcusable have I read a more thought-provoking, pull-no-punches take on what our ‘nice’ boys learn from us as a society. This book is excellent.

Tracey Baptiste

This is a deeply funny and searingly honest look at teen sex, adults’ anxieties around it, and the toxic masculinity that so often shapes it.” 

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Narrator Korey Jackson puts the listener into the mind of Delbert “Del” Rainey as he navigates the tricky waters of high school relationships. Since Del has crushed on Kiera for as long as he can remember, he doesn’t see the harm in telling a few white lies to get close to her. When he does so, his past reputation (both true and false) comes back to bite him. Jackson’s deep, sonorous voice wouldn’t seem like a natural fit for an occasionally whiny teenager, yet somehow he perfectly inhabits this complex character. Del is funny and generally likable, but Jackson doesn’t hesitate to highlight his moments of thoughtless behavior and attitude of entitlement. Del’s friends are also believably voiced as individuals and as a group. N.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

FEBRUARY 2020 - AudioFile

Narrator Korey Jackson puts the listener into the mind of Delbert “Del” Rainey as he navigates the tricky waters of high school relationships. Since Del has crushed on Kiera for as long as he can remember, he doesn’t see the harm in telling a few white lies to get close to her. When he does so, his past reputation (both true and false) comes back to bite him. Jackson’s deep, sonorous voice wouldn’t seem like a natural fit for an occasionally whiny teenager, yet somehow he perfectly inhabits this complex character. Del is funny and generally likable, but Jackson doesn’t hesitate to highlight his moments of thoughtless behavior and attitude of entitlement. Del’s friends are also believably voiced as individuals and as a group. N.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

FEBRUARY 2020 - AudioFile