Reviews loHigh school, the next frontier Don't just take their word for it; read the book for yourself. There were several things that I thought make this book stand out from other coming of age stories. Firstly, the text is primarily narrative. Thus, the stories of these young people are told by them in their own words, one teen to another. Unlike some narratives, I didn’t find the text slow or bogged down with unwieldy conversations. The realistic feeling conversations flowed quite well. I was also intrigued that the author was willing to tackle so many issues (including the complex and extremely touchy issues of racism, cultural differences, and religion). These topics were handled quite well with no sugar coating but written in a thoughtful way. That really impressed me. - Reviewed by Ms. Tami Brady of TCM Reviews |
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Being One is the story of youngsters growing up in a complicated world. Timberly is attractive, but has something of an attitude. Zaurah is the Rastafarian of the group and wears her hair in dreadlocks. Stefania is the white girl who has never had a black friend, but is willing to try...Barry is the handsome young man all of the girls drool over. Latrice is shy and keeps to herself yet sometimes hands with the others. Each of the teenagers is thrilled to have moved on to high school but they quickly learn that high school has just as many, if not more, problems and issues than junior high did. When one of the students become a Christian and attempts to tell the others about God, a few relationships are strained.
Being One is the start of a Christian series by Isabis Inside.. The story didn't have a strong plot-just young people meandering through life. The teens were portrayed realistically, however, especially their attitudes toward one another, school and life in general. - Reviewed by Alice Holman of the RAWSISTAZ Reviewers.
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Isabis Inside's Being One touches upon an interesting subject, and I applaud the author for taking it on in a creative manner. The book takes the reader through a journey that everyone can or will relate to-entering into those high school years. Timberly, Barry, Stefania, Latrice and Zaurah all possess different personalities, opinions, religions and are representative of America's melting plot. Their varied cultures sometimes clash, while others, it challenges others to consider what they have been taught and heard about people who are not like themselves. Fitting in at school, various adolescent concerns, and issues encountered at home consume each character. These sentiments are expressed in introspective dialogue, more often than not. The plot[can] often becomes fuzzy ..and can lead a person to feel as if they read a journal ...Conversely, the author's strongest suit is delivering appropriate dialogue that may have been used by teenagers of that age in 1996. Perhaps volume 2 will help this author display more.. literary talents as growth as a writer occurs. Don't give up yet; stay tuned! -Reviewed by Andrea Blackstone of Black Butterfly Reviews.