Customer Reviews

IS NO NOT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What better way is there to tell your child what you want them to know, without sounding preachy? Leave it to Angelia Vernon Menchan to open their eyes through Is No Not Clear Enough For You?. She will get the task done.

Malaaka Green, a sassy, Christian, sixteen year-old daughter of a single mother, knows what she wants and it is not premarital sex. Her mother, Ava, and her mentor, Mrs. Brown, have taught her to believe in the word of God and to respect herself.

Kim Minton, Malaaka's best friend, is the total opposite of her. She does not know the power of the word, which will earn her the respect and love from others that she deserves. Being the friend of a confident virgin proves to be very difficult at times for Kim. She does not realize her friend is always her friend and never judging her.

Jerald Jones, Malaaka's fine, athletic boyfriend, has a big future ahead of him. He tries everything to get Malaaka to go against all she believes.

The cover of this book is a vibrant bright yellow, which reflects the personality of Malaaka. The picture on the cover also reminds me of when I am telling my own children no and pointing in their faces asking, "What part of no do you not understand?" which reminds me of the lessons taught to me by my own mother.

I am concerned about sassiness of the main character but when I think about it, teenage girls are often more likely than not to test their parents with their fresh mouths. Mrs. Menchan has written a book on a level where adults and young adults can relate. I recommend this book to parents of teenage girls, teenage girls, mentors and anyone who finds themselves as a role model to a girl still trying to find her way, especially when it comes to sex.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

What I expected to be a Young Adult title, turned out to be something that was a good read for women of all ages. Is NO Not Clear Enough For You? By Angelia Vernon Menchan is a quick-witted story about young people who are learning the real life lessons while struggling to stay in God's grace.

The main character, sixteen year-old Malaaka Green is the daughter of a single mother who made some choices early in life that she is determined Malaaka will not repeat. Somewhat estranged from her parents since she became pregnant with Malaaka in her first year of college, Ava Green has done her best to make up for her mistakes. Her parents, from the old Christian school still have not been able to let go of the past and their emotional distance causes Ava a great deal of pain. Although they dot on their grand daughter; the elder Greens can not forgive Ava for what they see as her "fall from Grace". Ava on the other hand has to learn to forgive herself.

Malaaka is a smart and sassy young woman. She is very focused and obedient with goals and aspirations. Although she is spiritual and very involved in the church; she still knows how to have fun and how to enjoy being a teenager. Malaaka also has a mind of her own and doesn't bow to peer pressure just to be popular. And that in itself, is what seems to make her so popular and so well loved by teens and adults alike in her community.

This coming of age tale is positive reinforcement without being preachy. The author gives her teen characters a voice and the realism of today's young people is evident in their actions. Yet; the storyline is full of good advice and mother wit. The adults in the novel are also very real to life and handle the responsibility of mentoring and nurturing the youth of their community in a very practical way.

This is a book that you will want to buy two copies of; one for you and one for your teenager. You will want to share the lessons learned and encourage the young people in your life to reach for their own stars while making sure that they make good choices for their lives.

I found Is NO Not Clear Enough For You? an entertaining read and a refreshing portrayal of an African American community that seriously takes on the adage that It Takes A Village To Raise A Child.

Idrissa Uqdah for AALBC

Mrs. Menchan,
You've done it again. This is an excellent book. My daughter is almost done reading it. It has inspired her to do more things around the house. I liked how Malaaka and her mother interacted with each other. We can't wait for the next book. Can't wait for the next story on Cinnamon Brown.

IS NO NOT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU? introduces readers to Malaaka, a teenaged girl who is very involved with a teen ministry at her church. She is also quite committed to preserving her virginity, despite her boyfriend Jerald's constant attempts to sway her. Malaaka's best friend Kim is opposite in nearly every way. Kim is much less confident, and feels that having sex is necessary to keep a boyfriend. Deep down, Kim is lonely, needy, and searching for something to help give her life meaning. Though she loves Malaaka, Kim often resents her friend's, self-assured, and at times holier-than-though views. As the story progresses, readers clearly see the challenges both girls face. Malaaka struggles to maintain a relationship with a boyfriend who clearly has different goals while Kim struggles to find someone who will give her the love she is seeking. Along the way, each girl learns important lessons about the need to have supportive adult figures, unexpected love from people who are often overlooked, and the true meaning of friendship and unconditional love.

IS NO NOT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU? is a timely book about issues related to teen sexuality. While the plot was a bit predictable, it clearly depicts many of the negative consequences related to teen sex. The characters in the book seemed relatively one-dimensional and at times they sounded more like adults speaking than teens; both of these issues took away from the book's feeling of authenticity. Menchan has penned a novel that all teens should read, but young adult readers may find the story a bit preachy and unbelievable at times.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers