Kendra (by Coe Booth)
common sense media says
Sexual content needs discussion in urban coming-of-age read.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know the book features a 14-year-old who has oral and anal sex with a boy at school but still considers herself a virgin. Although she feels used by this boy (he's dating her best friend while fooling around with her), she is too "weak" to resist him and has sex "without even thinking." She drinks alcohol to please him and to relax. On the positive side, he uses condoms. There is also extensive cursing and two incidences of girls beating each other up.
Violence:
Two girls beat up another girl, punching her everywhere on the head, chest, and stomach, while other students watch. Kendra's Nana slaps and punches her in the head and face. Adonna "jumps" Kendra after school. Adonna punches Kendra and Kendra grabs Adonna's hair weave.
Sex:
Plenty of overt sexual references (when Kendra licks frosting, a boy at her table says, "Girl, the way you was licking that thing, s--t, that was like a porno movie.") and well-described scenes of oral and anal sex -- Kendra wants to make sure she technically stays a virgin in case her grandmother checks. The gynecologist puts Kendra on the Pill and gives her a bag of condoms.
Language:
"Ho," "ass," "booty," "titties," "stank," "s--t," "bulls--t, "f--king," "f--k you," "asshole," "bitch," "pissed off."
Consumerism:
Some brand name references, such as food products.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Nashawn gives Kendra a beer and tells her, "C'mon, try it" when she says she's never had alcohol. She drinks it because "maybe it'll make me more relaxed."
More on Kendra
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Most useful reviews by all members
admireJAY95
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
This is a great book for teen 14 and older. Because it talks about phases young teenage girls are going through. Yeah it has cursing, sex and alcohol but it happens with teens today. Most teens are getting pregnant at the age of 14 and they make nothing of themselves. ie. But I also understand that most teenagers are not as fortunate as Renee. But to make this short I highly recommend this book for Teenagers in High-school, even Adults
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