This collection of original stories and poems provides rare insight into the minds of adolescent African American boys. There’s Tow-Kaye, getting married at age seventeen to the love of his life, who’s pregnant. James writes in his diary about his twin brother’s terrible secret, while Tyler explains what it’s like to be a player with the ladies. And Eric takes us on a tour of North Philly on the Fourth of July, when the heat could make a guy go crazy. Sharon G. Flake’s talent for telling it like it is will leave readers thinking differently, feeling deeply, and definitely wanting more.
You Don't Even Know Me
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up—Ten portraits interspersed with poetry draw readers into the lives of a variety of African-American teens. In "Getting Even," a boy copes with his grandfather's death and the desire to find who killed him. Jeffery, 16, gets thrown out of his Auntie's house with nowhere to go. Eric goes against his dad's command to stay home with his siblings and instead finds a girl, some fun, and some trouble; Justin writes in his journal about death, suicide, and sexual abuse. La'Ron is too afraid to tell his father he is HIV positive, so he writes him a letter, and his father writes back. The concluding story, "Pretty Mothers Are a Problem," is a chilling portrait of 15-year-old Jeffrey, seduced by a neighbor, and the devastation faced by her daughter. These complex and thought-provoking stories won't disappoint.—Amy Cheney, Alameda County Library, Oakland, CA
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
From Booklist
In a lively companion to Flake’s Who Am I without Him? (2007), teen boys speak in stories and free-verse poems about love, fear, sex, fun, anger, sorrow, and growing up black today. Some of the strongest pieces are about love between sons and father figures, including a stepdad, grandfather, and father-in-law. Homelessness is sometimes a threat, as is the fear of dying young, amid all the violence in the ‘ hood, and one speaker talks about the responsibility he feels to help younger kids get over “getting even.” In contrast, a suburban kid talks about class issues. Occasionally, the entries feel therapeutic, with messages about HIV/AIDS and suicide prevention (hotlines and Web sites are appended). Best of all is the candor about hardship and the celebration of the diversity and dynamics in the characters’ communities.The immediate voices, with no invective or overt sex, are well-suited for readers’ theater and for sharing everywhere. Grades 7-10. --Hazel Rochman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Greenwood
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am on my high school's speech,drama, and debate team, which is how I came to find this book.I compete in Dramatic Interpretation and finding monologues/pieces that are around ten minutes can be tough! I was familiar with Miss. Flake's books and I had previously read BANG (a great book to read if you haven't already). When I came across "You don't even know me" I knew had to get this book. This book has many different characters and stories that really touch on subjects that very few authors write about and write well. Each story is unique in its own way. There was not one story or character that I disliked. You have to approach each story with an open mind and be open to listen to the story being told. This is a great read for young teenagers but adults as well. Even though all of the stories are told from a male prospective that does not mean females should be opposed to reading it. I promise that you won't find any other book written like this. This is a must read. I am honored to say that I used "Infected" (a story in the book about a boy writing a letter to his Uncle informing him that he is HIV positive and the Uncle writes a letter back as well), for my speech competition this year and got 14th in the state of PA and I am my region's National Tournament Qualifier for Dramatic Interpretation. You never know what book may touch your life and guide you to amazing places.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By greg
Format:Hardcover
Ms. Flake is one of our finest writers and this collection of stories is no exception. There are so many good tales in this book that readers are in for a treat. Every story is a winner and the plus for me is that they are all told from the boy's perspective. Sharon continues to blaze a path worth traveling.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By JB
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Our students have a history with Ms Flake's books. I have already had one copy "borrowed" and not returned. I like the idea of writing stories and poems from a teenage boy's perspective. Often they are forgotten or seen as troubled kids. Ms Flake does indeed write about these boys, but she also includes the confused, scared, sensitive, and loving boys that we all know.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
not what I thought
I did like that this book was many different stories with many different characters. I also liked that it was a lot of different types of writing. However I was disappointed. Read more
Published 1 month ago by alyssa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Me
If you like poems then this is your book. It has some amazing poems that I think any kid would love to read.
Published 3 months ago by h.cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, Positive Poetry for all young males!
Positive Poetry that will stimulate & motivate the rhythm that is in young males' minds that all cultures can relate to on a literary scale- I'm using it with my male student... Read more
Published 7 months ago by MADEA
2.0 out of 5 stars
Descriptive but confusing
I am writing this for my 12 yo son who finished the title today. He complained that the book was confusing. He said that at the climax the stories sort-of flat-lined. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Racheal
1.0 out of 5 stars
A book about boys written by a girl?
I was reading this book, and was having a very hard time relating to it, and I imagined most of my students would too, and I couldn't figure out why the author seems close but not... Read more
Published on October 5, 2010 by Pest-Actual
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Prespective
This book was a little disappointing if you were looking for a step up since "Who Am I Without Him" was written. Read more
Published on July 25, 2010 by Just Me
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