Title:

November Blues                                                             YA #2

Author:

Sharon M. Draper

Publisher:

Atheneum

Date:

2007

ISBN:

1416906983

# of Pages (Readership):

320 (YA)

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Diversity

African American

Plot Summary:

Sequel to Battle of Jericho - 16-year-old November Nelson learns she is 3 months pregnant on first doctor visit. She’s carrying the child of Josh, who died 3 months before in a high school club hazing. November is an excellent student who had been on her way to Cornell. Her 8^th-grade art teacher widowed mother deeply disappointed by the news.

Friends Dana and Olivia circle around to support November. Friend Jericho (Josh’s cousin and best friend) promises to be there for her. Josh’s parents and their lawyer present November with adoption papers and a full 4-year college scholarship.

With the backdrop of other kids’ senior year activities, November deals with her changing body, her broken dreams, and after baby Sunshine is born prematurely, hopes for her child and herself as a mother.

Theme(s):

Our choices in life pave our paths.

Personal Response:

The reality of teen pregnancy is the strength of this too predictable book. The brief, but strong, passage about abortion clinics conveyed a strong opinion (p. 73). The connection to blues music and how it can’t be appreciated until one has had some life experience offered a bitter sweet connection between the daughter and mother.

Curricular or Programming Connections:

Good opportunities for discussions with high school girls’ P.E. classes!

Bibliotherapy for similar situations

Teen pregnancy

Friendships

Mothers and daughters