Baldwin Hills

Hmm...let's see: I got tired of watching MTV's The Hills, so I watched a bit of BET's Baldwin Hills while on vacation. First impressions: not bad. The kids are nearly as rich as those on The Hills, but they've got teen problems, albeit not "typical" teen problems that the kids I know have. I mean, how to decide between asking your parents for a Mercedes or a Lincoln SUV--and then GETTING IT?! Life is tough for these kids. I would like to see some more of some characters and less of others (you guess who), and I really would like to see kids driving around with seatbelts on (I saw none). Sorry, but with the huge number of teens dying every day, someone's gotta be responsible.

The New York Times generally liked the series as well, if you want to read about it, click here.

Anyway, have you seen it? Thoughts? Should I keep watching?

Upcoming Review Schedule

In case you're dying to know what I'll be reading and commenting about in the ucpoming weeks and months, here you go. Keep in mind that this might change a bit, as I'm moving around in early September and won't have as much time to read. But, keep coming back, write your own reviews, etc.

Up Next: Checking out the drama in Drama High
Then: Bluford
Followed by: Jason & Kyra and Played
And: Sharon Draper (probably Tears of a Tiger and the rest of the Hazelwood High Trilogy to start)

Coming soon:
Tyrell
Who Am I Without Him?
Dymond/The Absolute Truth/Dymond in the Rough
Classic: A Teacup Full of Roses and The Friends

Middle school recommendations (these will be their own posts)

I'll also include some academic-y and researcher-y stuff in case you're interested (but I'll keep it user friendly).

Kimani Tru

Harlequin got hip to marketing to Black teens and introduced the Kimani Tru series this year. I've read the first two, Indigo Summer (http://www.amazon.com/Indigo-Summer-Kimani-Monica-McKayhan/dp/0373830750/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-2987405-1465548?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187193566&sr=8-1) and The Edification of Sonya Crane (http://www.amazon.com/Edification-Sonya-Crane-Kimani-Tru/dp/0373830777/ref=pd_sim_b_img/104-2987405-1465548?ie=UTF8&qid=1187193566&sr=8-1). From what I've read so far, this series is a bit tamer than more "gritty" urban-lit, but there's still drama. Indigo is fifteen, wants to fit into school, has to deal with her best friend moving away, and wants to make the high school dance team. I'll leave it up to you to figure out how it all ends. As for Sonya Crane? I'd skip it: poorly written, and it's all about a White girl who wants to "pass" as Black (huh?). She never really gets into the reasons why she makes this decision, and the book has some sexual abuse that is never addressed by adults who are around. While I know that YA tries to distance itself from adults, I have a hard time thinking that someone made a decision not to say anything.

So, problematic, but I guess we have to start somewhere. I need to catch up on the latest ones: Kimani Tru is trotting out a new book every month! If you like Indigo from Indigo Summer, she's coming back in another book (around December, I think).

Welcome!

Hey ya'll: Black Teens Read is about books written for, and about Black (those of African American and Afro Carribean descent, as well as anyone identifying as Black) teenagers (13-19). Generally, I'll read and review all sorts of books that might appeal to Black teens...because, as I know and YOU know, BLACK TEENS READ!