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You Don't Even Know Me

Stories and Poems About Boys
by Sharon Flake
198p. 978-1-42310-014-0.
COPY ISBN
Gr 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" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
This volume includes both lucid short stories and poems, some of which have echoes of freestyle rap. The subtitle could be more specific; these short pieces are decidedly about troubled, urban boys. Flake has readers spend time with three-dimensional young males who contract HIV, wear gang colors, or live up to teachers' low expectations, but she never allows stereotypes to overtake humanity.
The title of the book is a strong statement to which teenage boys will relate. It sets the tone for a powerful collection of poems and stories that delve into issues of self-image and others’ expectations. Sharon G. Flake’s writing is clear, direct, and intimate. Colloquial, informal language keeps the emphasis on the characters’ day-to-day lives and also makes the book a good choice for reluctant readers. Specific details push the characters past stereotypes and make each of their dilemmas sympathetic and engrossing.

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