Three Little Words / A Memoir (YA) Biography by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Lorraine was seven-teen when Ashley was born. Lorraine was too self-absorbed to care for Ashley. Dusty was Lorraine's boyfriend and they tried to be a family. Lorraine was on drugs and Dusty was in and out of jail. Child Welfare was called when Ashley and her baby brother Luke were left alone at home. Child Welfare removed the children from the home and placed them in foster care. Lorraine promised Ashley she would get herself together and come back for them. Ashley went to foster care kicking and screaming. That day would be the last time Ashely would live with her mother. In spite of Lorrainne's inability to care for her, Ashley loved her mother. Eventually, Luke and Ashley were seperated and could not live together in foster care. Ashley often felt abandoned, neglected, and she was trapped in a failing foster care system. Ashley stayed in nine foster homes which included a total of 19 foster parents.

Ashley eventually ended up in a Children's Home Institution waitng to be adopted. Gay and Phil Courter had grown children who were no longer at home. The Courter's thought that raising a daughter might fill their empty nest. Ashley got a chance to meet the Courter's. As time went by it was obvious that they all wanted to be a family. When the Courter's asked Ashely if she wanted them to adopt her; still feeling insecure that they might give her back, she uttered three little words, " I guess so." The Courter's eventually adopted her. Ashley is proud to call the Courters' her parents. Ashley has since graduated from college. Gay, who is a best selling author, guided and helped Ashley to produce this biography.

NOVEMBER BLUES (a sequel to "The Battle of Jericho") by Sharon Draper / Young Adult Fiction

November Nelson is sixteen, in the eleventh grade, and pregnant. The father of November's baby is dead. Josh Prescott died in a daring stunt while pledging for the Warriors of Distinction. The Warriors of Distinction is an organization known for community service. Josh did not know that November was pregnant. November now has to miss all the fun during her senior year in high school; dates, parties, prom, graduation, etc. She also wanted to attend Cornell University after graduation. Mrs. Nelson is concerned and supportive to November's decision about the baby. Jericho and Josh were very close cousins. Jericho tells November that he will help her in any way that he can. He wants to be like a stand-in father for the baby.

Josh's parents have hired an attorney to draw up papers to adopt the baby just as soon as it is born. They also offer Novermber a generous amount of money for herself, and to pay all of her college education expenses for the entire 4 years, and of course they want a DNA test included to estabish paternity. And, if she did not agree to these terms they would charge her as an unfit mother. November is furious and hates the idea of giving her baby to them. But, she thinks to herself, maybe it all might be for the best. She could go to college and the her baby would be well taken care of by the grandparents. November is confused as to what to do.

"Sunshine" was born two months early and is in critical condition. A premature baby brings complications, says Dr. Holland. She may have suffered some signficant brain damage by a lack of oxygen in the womb or just after delivery. Sunshine may have some challenges in the future because of this. She may have developmental delays. November loves her baby no matter what.

The Prescotts and their attorney visit November and their granddaughter in the hospital with the adoptions papers for November to sign; the plans have changed when they are informed about the premature birth of Sunshine and the associated physical problems that occur with such births. The Prescotts want to put the adoption on hold for a few months until developments become clearer. The Prescotts need more time to consider how a disabled child would affect their lives. November made her decision right then. November ripped up the papers and tossed them on the floor while telling the Prescotts that life does not come with guarantees.

A great read to remind young adults to stay on the right path and to think before making choices that will complicate their future.

What's Real, What's Ideal: Overcoming a Negative Body Image / Author: Brangein Davis /Young Adult Non-fiction

Negative Body Image is just one of the issues going on with some of our teens today. (Especially with young adult girls.) Girls are more pressured to look good. Young adult girls compare their bodies to their peers and movie stars. Our culture is obsessed with weight, body shape, dieting, food, and exercise. When teens put so much emphasis on these things they may by suffering from Negative Body Image. Obsessive Negative Body Image can lead to dangerous eating disorders. "Anorexia Nervosa" is a eating disorder which literally means to starve yourself. "Bulimia Nervosa" is another eating disorder that leads to binging and purging. Binging is eating large amounts of food until you are sick on the stomach. Purging is getting rid of that food by vomiting and in some cases abusing laxatives. The triggers/causes of Negative Body Images can be puberty, the beauty industry, families and food, peer pressure, low self-esteem, and sexual abuse. Of course there is no one single cause that creates Negative Body Image.

The road to a Positive Body Image comes from a change in attitude, not body. Change also comes by educating oneself; reading books, talking to parents, school counselor, pastor, a trusted adult, or friend. If the problem is more serious, seeking help from a professional health care provider, therapy, and attending support groups will help to bring about a change.

Perhaps if we talked, praised, encouraged, and listened to our youngs adults more, there would be less feelings of Negative Body Image. I am a great believer in encouraging our teens. I love to see their faces light up when I tell them something positive; good job! I knew you could do it! I'm so proud of you!

A very imformative book for young adults (especially girls) to read and learn that it's ok to except themselves just as they are.

Walking Across Egypt / Clyde Edgerton

A humorous and a fast paced book. An easy read.

"I got as much business keeping a dog as I got walking across Egypt," says Mattie. Mattie's stray dog started a lot of drama for her. Mattie met Lamar, the dog catcher who took the dog to the pound. Mattie met Wesley, Lamar's nephew.

Mattie loves to cook and feed everyone. She is a very generous host. Her meals are down home southern food. (My mouth watered-up just visualizing all this food.) She prepared home cooked meals three times a day. It's no wonder she had so many visitors.

Mattie was an elderly woman with a lot of energy and very trusting. She had a soft spot in her heart for Wesley. Wesley had gotten himself into a lot of trouble. He escaped a juvenile detenion center. He began to stay with Mattie in her home. Mattie thought she could take him to church with her and help to turn him around. Wesley got into more trouble by stealing the church member's car. She thought her meals would solve everyone's problems. I believe she thought her food would change the sheriff's mind about taking Wesley to jail; it came close to it when Mattie convinced the Sheriff to have a bite to eat before he took Wesley away.

Mattie was a Christian woman and she intended to help Wesley over come his problems and become a Christian too. "Whatso ye do unto one of the least of these my brothern you do also to me," says Mattie. Which she believes by helping Wesley she is also helping the Lord. All she wants is respect from Wesley. Mattie was a widow and her grown children didn't "need" her any more. Mattie wants to feel needed and useful to someone. The stray boy and the stray dog will do just fine. Wesley wants a grandmother and Mattie wants to be a grandmother. It couldn't get any better than that.

A good story for teens and adults.


I

The World Made Straight

The World Made Straight was a good group discussion book.

Having no goals in life is what drew Travis, Leonard and Dena together. They all had given up on life. They had nothing to look forward to. They were ok with just getting by. Travis' only happiness came when he passed his GED. I wanted to see Leonard get himself together and apply himself more. Leonard seemed almost like a father figure to Travis.

Travis was trying to be a tough guy. His father verbally abused him therefore; he could not help but to make poor choices. His low self-esteem left him open for Lori, Leonard and others to control him by telling him what they thought he should do. He began to resent them for that.

Perhaps, Travis thought by trying to rescue Dena he could get his revenge on the Toomeys for what they had done to him. The plans spiraled out of control; he was now completley on his own. There was no one to push him around any more. He left his father's house. He left Lori. Dena left town. The Toomeys and Leonard were dead. Travis was free from everyone; his world was then made straight.

A rather somber book.