You Don't Even Know Me: Stories and Poems about Boys »

I sit in your class

I play by the rules

I’m young

I’m fly

I’m black.
In 9 stories and 13 poems, Sharon G. Flake gives readers insight into the minds of a diverse group adolescent African American males. There's Tow-Kaye, getting married at age 17 to love of his life, who's pregnant. He knows it's the right thing to do, but he's scared to death. James writes in his diary about his twin brother's terrible secret, which threatens to pull James down, too. Tyler explains what it's like to be a player with the ladies. In a letter to his uncle, La'Ron confesses that he's infected with HIV. Eric takes us on a tour of North Philly on the Fourth of July, when the heat could make a guy go crazy. Still, he loves his hood. These and other unforgettable characters come to life in this poignant, funny and often searing collection of urban male voices.

VOYA

This memorable collection of short stories and poems offers a glimpse into the urban lives of several African American boys. Tow-Kaye is marrying his pregnant girlfriend at seventeen, feeling both anticipation and dread. Ron struggles to compose a painful letter to his uncle, admitting that he has become infected with HIV since his arrival in the city. Jeffrey, thrown out of yet another relative's home and wondering where he will live, expresses a sentiment that any one of the teen boys featured here could easily utter, "[D]oing right comes out wrong no matter where I go." James meticulously plans suicide, following the self-inflicted death of his twin. The final story is a trip with Eric through the streets of North Philadelphia on the fourth of July, a colorful and dangerous place simmering with both violence and joy. Flake offers a vivid, unforgettable collection reflecting the experiences of urban African American young males. The voices ring true; these authentic characters could be sitting in any big-city classroom. The stories and poetry are quite thought provoking, particularly for readers who do not live in an urban setting. Although there are a variety of mature themes explored (teen pregnancy, relationships with older women, promiscuity, and revenge), they are not explicitly expressed and there is little profanity. This collection is recommended for reluctant readers, particularly boys. The book can be read fairly quickly, but the stories of these young men will linger with readers for much longer. Reviewer: Sherrie Williams