Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I really enjoyed reading parts of this book to my students. All of them - of all races and ethnicities and genders - related to the stories and really enjoyed them. I believe that there is something in it for all of us. It is a way to examine the way that we look at ourselves in relationships and in society.

This book is an amazing book of short stories that make young readers like me want to read books all the time.This book is good because it gives us readers' a message that tells us not to follow someone or not to try to fit in with someone.I think we love these books because of authors like Sharon Flake that write about things that really happen in people's life.I think that Sharon Flake is an amazing author only because she experienced some of these events that she writes in her books.

Sharon Flake takes the spin on teenage relationships to a new level in this unique book on young love. Unlike some books which simplify adolescent relationships as mere infatuations or persistent melodrama this takes a look at all of the complicated reasons both men and women might enter a destructive relationship. Not afraid of controversy, Flake explores teen pregnancy, abusive boyfriends, dead beat dads, back stabbing best friends, the rich/poor dichotomy and how all of it can affect a teenager's life. Each of the characters are faced with the question of who they are without "the man" in question in their life ...and the answers will surprise you.

If you are a teacher and are looking for high interest read alouds that can be finished in a couple of periods, this is ideal. My students were on the edge of their seats and begged me not to stop reading. They all became devoted fans of Sharon Flake and several cheated and bought the book when I refused! It just is to show you how much it made them in love with story telling!

I picked up this book thinking it'd be horrible. Even the title is forboding: "Who am I without him?" How anti-feminism. I didn't think I would ever be able to enjoy this book.

But I started reading nonetheless.

In each of these short stories, Sharon G. Flake creates new characters who really gained my empathy (or sometimes disgust). From a girl who knows her boyfriend is cheating on her, yet stays with him anyway, to a girl who "likes white boys," I enjoyed almost every one of these short stories, and wished that some of them would continue past their endings.

The only real reason why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was because a couple of the stories became a bit boring, but, otherwise, this book is great.

At first, readers will enter the first few stories of this collection mad at the characters. Why did she put up with him? No, she didn't just do that! Soon it becomes clear that this is the point. Everyone makes mistakes in the dating game and must find the self-confidence and respect for themselves to become involved in the right relationship. WHO AM I WITHOUT HIM? offers a virtual look at relationships from many points of view, including a father, a boy with a roving eye, and many interesting girls.

Sharon G. Flake is a rising author with awards and talent for creating flawed but memorable and realistic characters, as well as surprising stories. In "Wanted: A Thug" a girl writes in to an advice column because she has the hots for her best friend's man, a thug, even though she has a nice boyfriend. A letter that is both humorous and threatening comes back from someone who actually knows her and the situation, and reminds her that friendship is more important than a passing crush.

"Mookie in Love" is the story of a girl who sees her cousin fall in love with a nice girl, but her mother and aunts try to split them up. And "Jacob's Rules" follows a class through a pretend relationship assignment as they try to find out if all boys are really dogs.

One of the strongest stories in this collection is the last, a letter from an absentee father to his beautiful fifteen-year-old daughter. He tells her that she has to stand up for herself and advises her on how to do it. He writes that finding a passion and work that she loves are too important to become distracted with bad relationships.

All girls should read this book! The characters are African-American but the situations are universal.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

Sharon Flake's expertise in telling it like it is rings out in this collection. She and Chris Crutcher would make a great team! It is hard to say that girls and boys will 'enjoy' these stories, but they will not be able to stop reading them because they hit on the exact things my students witness, if not experience, every day. Each story has its humor and its pain. That's life, isn't it? As you read these stories, you see what is coming, and you want to shout "Don't do it!!!" But each one of us has to learn by our own mistakes and successes. By reading, we learn from others.

A collection of short stories about teenagers trying to figure out how love works. There were a few characters that I'd be tempted to beat with my shoe if I ever met them on the street, but overall, the voices were realistic and this will appeal to teens, especially girls. Several of the stories made me laugh and others left me feeling depressed. My favorite story was "A Letter to My Daughter," a letter from an absent father to the daughter he's never met.