Who Am I Without Him?: Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books) [Hardcover]

Sharon Flake (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books

There is "The Ugly One," whose only solace comes when she is locked inside her own head. In "Wanted: A Thug," a teenager seeks advice on how to steal her best friend's bad-guy boyfriend. And then there's Erika, who only likes white boys. Sharon Flake takes readers through the minds of girls trying to define themselves while struggling to remain relevant to the boys in their lives. This is a complex, often humorous, always on-point exposition of black youth resolving to find self-worth . . . any way they know how.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-Written in the vernacular of urban African-American teens, which Flake captures flawlessly, these 10 stories have universal themes and situations. Some are funny and uplifting; others, disturbing and sad. In "So I Ain't No Good Girl," a teen wants to be with a good-looking popular boy, so much so that she tolerates his disrespect and abuse. In "Wanted: A Thug," Melody writes to a columnist for advice on how to steal a friend's boyfriend, unaware that the friend is the columnist's younger sister. Two of the stories are told from a boy's point of view. The concluding story, "A Letter to My Daughter," in which an absent father gives his daughter his advice about boys and men is sad, poignant, and loving. Flake has a way of teaching a lesson without seeming to do so. Addressing issues and situations that many girls face in today's often complex society, this book is provocative and thought-provoking.
Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 6-12. Hilarious and anguished, these 10 short stories about growing up black today speak with rare truth about family, friends, school, and especially about finding a boyfriend. Erika is a "ghetto girl" who likes white boys; she can't help it, and the other black kids in school can't stand her, because they know. Class is a big issue for Erin, who steals clothes so he can take a suburban girl to the homecoming dance. The church girls are forbidden to date, and they get hurt when they go hunting for boys. But their well-meaning parents don't have it right, and the girls won't stop looking. As with Janet MacDonald's fiction, the talk here is wild, angry, and outrageous, but there's no overt sex or obscenity. Yes, there are messages, but the narrative is never preachy or uplifting; it's honest about the pain. When one girl's boyfriend hits her, she apologizes "just like my momma does when daddy slaps her." The best advice comes from a dad who abandoned his family, who now tells his teenage daughter how to avoid getting stuck with someone like him ("you is so much more than a pretty face and a tight pair of jeans, some boy's girlfriend or some man's wife"). Not everyone makes it. The stories work because Flake never denies the truths of poverty, prejudice, and failure. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (April 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786806931
• ISBN-13: 978-0786806935
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #530,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teenage Love, October 8, 2004

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who Am I Without Him?: Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books) (Hardcover)

Sharon Flake's latest literary endeavor, WHO AM I WITHOUT HIM?, is a collection of ten short stories that explore different variations of teenage love and angst. These stories present an accurate portrayal of teens and their experiences. The tales range from humorous to serious and each teaches a lesson on love and life.
One of the stories that I enjoyed was "Wanted: A Thug" which dealt with one girl's desire to have a bad boy, who happens to be dating her best friend, without thinking of the consequences. Another story, "A Letter to My Daughter" has a guilt ridden absentee father writing a letter to his fifteen-year-old daughter to try and educate her about boys and give her a view of relationships from a male perspective.

Sharon Flake has again penned a novel that both entertains and educates teens by presenting them with characters that are just like them. These stories reflect the lifestyles and situations that all teens are familiar with and can relate to, but at the same time present positive messages. What I enjoyed and respected most is that the author keeps the stories authentic by not making them all preachy or having a sappy, happy ending. I highly recommend WHO AM I WITHOUT HIM? as a must read for all teens, but especially for the younger teenagers who are on the cusp of dating.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars laugh, smile, then cry, March 7, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Who Am I Without Him?: Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives (Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books) (Hardcover)

This book was definitely a book that I can see myself passing on to my friends. While reading the book I noticed that I would smile unexpectedly, which is a good sign. Once again Sharon G. Flake created another astonishing work of art and I'm sure it won't be the last either. I felt as if I can relate to her book in many ways and I know I won't be the only girl (or boy) to either. Whether it was setting, personality, or plot, I was able to connect the book to my life, and the great thing about it was the fact that I never once got bored while reading. Which each turn of the page, I got more and more caught up into the book. In fact I wish the stories weren't short. Instead I wish Flake would of wrote a whole book on each of these magnificent stories. After reading all of Flakes other books and then finally getting to read Who Am I Without him?, I've learned to appreciate these books not just for the fact that they are great but for the inspirational books they really are.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars it had it's good and bad moments...i'll agree, December 26, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Who Am I Without Him?: Short Stories About Girls and the Boys in Their Lives (Paperback)

So i aint no good girl: ***** five stars, it was one of my favorites. I'm glad the book started with this story because it makes up for some of the crappier ones. I like how Ms. Flake portrays this girl as tough and scared at the same time. She doesn't let anyone talk her down, except Raheem, who abuses her and she feels that if she just "goes with the flow" she'll keep him.

Girl didn't i say i dont write no letters: ***** Five stars again. Excellent. i love how i can relate to devita about her liking Jaquel and gaining enough strength to tell him how she really feels, through letters.

The ugly one: **** four stars. it was OK i didn't understand the complete end, when she is dancing with the Jamaican dude, is he real? I would've liked it more if he was a real person.

Mookie in Love: **** four stars. It was OK as well. the story would've been better if it was in his perspective, not the cousins.

Don't be disrepecting me: *** Three stars. I didn't like it that much. Ms. Flake seemed to rush into the story and it didn't end well, at all.

I like White Boys: **** Fours stars. I liekd it, i could actually relate, but it would've been better if Erika picked Chet or Johnny or that guy with the blonde hair, i dont know. I don't think Ms. Flake ended the story well. Too much suspense i guess.

Jacob's rules: ***** Excellent story great narration. I liked Marimba a lot too.

I know a stupid boy when i see one: *** i did not like the story. i wont really get into it because there are too many things to talk about but i will say this. UNREALISTIC

Hunting for boys: ***** Great story. no comment. Too good for words.

wanted: a thug: ****\* four and a half. I liked this story. Great suspense. I wish Ms Flake could make a continuation of these..oh well *sigh*

Not a boy and letter to my daughter are good as well. Both *** three stars.