Am I the Last Virgin?: Ten African American Reflections on Sex and Love [Hardcover]

Tara Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

Explores the sexual issues confronting today's African-American youth, in a collection of coming-of-age essays that address such topics as homosexuality, incest, teen pregnancy, AIDS, first love, and discussing sex with parents.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A young woman remembers her sexual abuse by her uncle. Another sees her rapist in the supermarket only a year after the assault. A third connects deeply with her mother over an unwanted pregnancy. Most of the 11 essays in this earnest collection are about surviving, but those that feel freshest are about joy. Roberts, an editor at Essence magazine, keeps her virginity but indulges her sexuality, reveling in "scrumptious exchanges" and teaching her lovers to take it slow. Actress Jada Pinkett glows nostalgically over her grandmother's free-spoken insights about sexual freedom. Eisa Nefertari Ulen writes effervescently about the women who supported her as she reached maturity: "My circle of women has taught me to shake my body and love it." Many important issues, including living with AIDS and coming out as a lesbian, are covered here with frank sincerity and candor, if not exceptional originality. There is also an extensive directory of resources for sexual health. Girls of all races will hear their experiences and concerns echoed in the voices of these African American women. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up. A collection of essays about sexuality that reads like a soul-to-soul talk among a group of very close friends. Each young woman shares an experience or point of view in a unique voice. Some are positive, others are hurtful, but not without some possibility of healing. The subjects covered include virginity, rape, sexual abuse, unwanted pregnancy, AIDS, and incest. Mother-daughter relationships, maintaining self-esteem, and the power of friendship and community with other women are also addressed. Written from an African-American perspective, the text reflects a current movement in books about sexuality and related issues toward first-person narratives. The intention of these titles is not to supplant existing informational texts but to speak to the surrounding human issues individuals face during their biological development. Depending on the relationships available to young people, such a book can provide much-needed and useful personal information about how to navigate in the world and the potential consequences of interpersonal relationships. This book will have special appeal to young black women, but will be of benefit to other readers as well. An extensive resource list of various organizations, many with 800 numbers, provides more information about the topics discussed. Short biographies of the contributing authors reinforce the fact that these are real people sharing real experiences.?Melissa Gross, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689804490
• ISBN-13: 978-0689804496
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,550,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent tool for opening dialogue between generations, November 24, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Am I the Last Virgin?: Ten African American Reflections on Sex and Love (Hardcover)

I am Executive Director of Sisterhood Infinity, a mentoring program for young women in Brooklyn, NY. We, the mentors and mentees read "Am I the Last Virgin" to prepare for a seminar on Human Sexuality. In discussion, we found the stories to be wonderful tales of young womanhood that touch on several experiences that are pertinent to issues of past and present. This book of insightful and honest essays is a great introduction for teenagers considering taking that serious step into womanhood. Furthermore, it is a great conversation piece that could bridge the gap between older and younger generations in conversations around womanhood and sex. I would highly recommend this book to anyone of any age.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary revelations of young women ., November 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Am I the Last Virgin?: Ten African American Reflections on Sex and Love (Hardcover)

Heartwrenching and tragic tales that reveal the innermost feelings of young woment struggling to growup among very different lifestyles and situations. A must reading for young women on the threshhold of maturity to help them see that even the most tragic of events happen and can be overcome. One story also serves as a warning that the heart is not always the wisest when choosing a mate. You must listen to your head also. My tears just flowed feeling the pain that some of these women were revealing in their story telling which was so honest and forthright.

5.0 out of 5 stars IMPORTANT READING!, November 17, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Am I the Last Virgin?: Ten African American Reflections on Sex and Love (Hardcover)

Am I The Last Virgin? is a collection of frank and honest short stories about african-american female sexuality. I cried...I laughed...I could relate... The book is a courageous dialogue about a very important aspect of life and living. A must read for young girls, their mothers, their fathers, their brothers, their sisters, their friends. I have passed copies along to many of my family members.