Baby Girl by Lenora Adams I love this book for its purpose and potential to change lives. It would go great with The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. 17yr old Sheree ran away to a halfway house, to break the cycle and save her future. Baby Girl is broken up into three parts. Sheree's letter to her mom, her mom's response and Sheree's letter to her unborn child.
Here at Milagro House I have lots of time to think, so I've been thinking about my life and what I realize is that this was my destiny. All these years I had fooled myself into thinking you could rescue me, but you hadn't saved yourself yet. Perhaps as I write this letter we'll both figure out the deeper reason why why my path is so similar to yours, why I didn't learn lessons from the past. So to help me and you learn, I have to start at the beginning of the summer, because that set off my chain of events.
Sheree's mom was only 16 when she had Sheree, treating her more like a girlfriend then a daughter. Sheree mom allowed her to smoke cigarettes and weed in the house. Sheree tries to fill the dad void with boyfriends. The latest is 22yr old Damon, who calls Sheree Baby Girl. Sheree's story isn't new, girls have always given away a precious part of themselves in hopes of receiving love in return. The beauty of Baby Girl, lies in Sheree's ability share this story. Adam's writing is uncensored but she doesn't exploit her characters. Sheree and Damon's sex is never describe. Though the labor and birth is, in full detail. As well as Sheree's postpartum depression. There is a great scene at the end when Sheree ask her dad why he wasn't around more before, and what can she do to make Damon stay.
Sheree letter to her mom gained strength as the book went on.
"Walking back to your house I thought about how I couldn't call it home no more. Do you know what makes a home? From the Cosby show reruns I learned about home. Home is where I should feel safe and loved, a place where I know someone has my back, not where I have to lock my doors all the time. No, moms that wasn't home. I don't know if it ever was. I can't help but wonder if there ever was a time when I was your first and only concern. Did my needs ever come before yours? Did you know my cry? Can you hear it now?
I highly recommend Baby Girl. I hope it finds its way to those who need it.
3 comments:
Wow, sounds like a good read.
@ jessica burkhart I loved ur series and i think u love this book its really touching
I read this book for a book report and I love how I relate. Even though the characters were different the theme and mood of the story relates to my past. I appreciate this book. Hope to buy it one day.
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