An excellent and nice story

I had to read this book for school and at first I thought it would be another boring book which I wouldn’t read completely. When I bought the novel and read the text on the back of the book , I asked myself what could be interesting looking at the lives and relationships of three teenagers in the USA. I tried to find an answer by reading the novel and I got it. After the first pages I couldn’t stop reading, sure I made breaks but I was caught by it for a few days ‘till I finished it. I’ve read it as if it was a book I’ve bought for myself and not for school. But why was I so interested in reading it? I think the answer is very easy: I am very impressed by Ms. Hewett’s writing ability and I just wanted to know hoe the story goes on. Besides ‘Coming Of Age’ let me know, that you can also read interesting books at school ;-) , because the action fits to the modern youth society.
The book is wonderful, realistic portrayal for example of a young woman who gets to find out who she is, while managing to fall in love at the same time. This story is touching, funny, realistic and a page turner about an African - American woman in her last year of high school. I’ll never forget the complex characters, the vivid location or the unforgetable plot. I didn’t miss anything.
The author deals with different things in this book: On the one hand there are conflicts between the protagonists and on the other hand you learn something about people who are in a special social level ( for example drug dealer). So the reader gets aware of some problems in America and the whole world which should be solved quickly in a particial way. In addition to this , the book is about youth and deals with their daily problems. It is about the development of becoming an adult, which makes the readers think about their lives and getting another view of life.
There are different characters, which are described in their own, different and alternating views. This makes reading funny, but you can also see differences between people themselves and how they think about each other.
Si it is a nice novel and I think such types of books should be read more often in school because it dealswith the daily and social problems of black people ( and we didn’t know as much as we should about their problems) and makes the reader think about what life is really like.

Questions to the author:

1. You've written this story as you've been at our age. Do you think today, there is still a similar problem at school as far as the skin colour of students is concerned?
2. Do you think that there is a real chance for Erika to become a better person or do you think that she would relapse? And why do you think so?

Erika's future:

• She cares about Kelly who is her only friend.
• Kelly and Erika leave Denver together.
• She is looking for a good job in New York and she is hard working.
• Erika doesn't care about AJ as much as before but for a while she doesn't want any other boyfriend.
• Some time later Kelly and Erika find new boyfriends and then they are married.
• Erika has the chance to become a famous singer because New York is a good place for this business.
• Erika is pregnant too, so she has her own, little familiy.

10 years after graduating:

Ruthie

After a couple of years, we all met again on the reunion party. It was very nice to see them all again and I was so excited. The first person I met was Andrea. As I could see she was pregnant again. We put our arms around each other, sitting down on the chairs to have a talk. Andrea smiled and asked me a lot of things what I expected her to do.

"What are you doing?"

I laught " I guess it is too much to tell you in just one night."

I saw that Andrea was excited so she began to talk about herself.

"Ruthie, look at me, do you really think that I'm going to move? I am pregnant, I can't move, so tell me everything. Where is your husband? Did you leave him at home?"

I grinned and said "AJ is still at home because he has to care about our children but then he will be here."

Andrea's eyes widened. "Well we both got lovely ones, you know Christian is my husband, I think he is getting a drink. So tell me what happend to your life."

I nodded. "After finishing my studies in Stanford, I grounded a lawyer's office with some friends of mine. Besides I grounded a helporganisation for black-skinned students." A lot of thoughts came to my mind...it sounds like the good old Ruthie, doesn't? But at the moment it is very important to push my career forward.

Then I heard Andrea saying "Ruthie, what's going on?"

I incoherent began to talk " AJ broke up with his career as a footballstar. He understands my wishes so he stays at home to take care of our children. Sorely he has no other opportunity."

Andrea got shocked, I can see that. But I am used to see this reaction, it's on every face I look into, when I tell this story.

I heard Andrea's voice again she sounded breathless.

"Why? What happened to him? It was his passion!"

I tried to explain it to my friend. "Well, he was injured when he played on one of his most important positions in game. He was near to a laming.

Andrea's voice sounded sad "Oh my god, what for bad news. What is he doing now?"

I added "He does well, no consequences, but since this day, he is only interested in our family. He wants to care about us as long as he is able to."

Andrea nodded and looked for Christian. He was at the bar to get a drink.

Suddenly she graps ma arm. "Look", she said.

My head flips around.

A shiver rund through my veins. I knew which person I had to look at. Erika. She stood at the entry, beautiful as always. What would she do? How would she react? Although we had no fight as our lives seperated, I didn't know how to behave. In addition to this I was wondering because there seemed to be her new boyfriend and probably her son.

Andrea turned to me "Ruthie, do you see them? It's Erika and her litte family. I heard she'd worked as a secretary in New York with Kelly. Then both found a new boyfriend and married."

I was surprised because of this news so I didn't know what to say.

Andrea looked at me. "Ruthie, you are staring in space..."

I nodded and answered "Well, I think it's good for Erika, maybe she doesn't think of AJ anymore."

Andrea stood up and told me " That might be right. Besides she got the chance to become a famous singer. I think someone said something about a musical,...but that's not so important."

I nodded again and stood up and observed the entry. Then I saw that Erika came over. Her black dress was good-looking when she moved and everybody could see that it had been expensive.

"Hello Ruthie. Hello Andrea." Erika was standing in front of us and Andrea looked at me in surprise.

I didn't like the silence so I began to talk "Hey Erika, how do you do?"

"Oh everything does well. I'm living in New York City with my family, ya' know? What's about you? How does AJ?"

My stomack got sick.

"Oh, ehm...you know that we are married?"

"Of course, I read it in the news. The famous footballplayer and his intelligent youth-love. How could I overread THAT headline? Congratulations."

I was confused. Was it ironic or did she become a better person? I had to notice that it had been a wrong guess. But I gave her a chance.

"Thanks. I also heard of you. You are famous as a musicalstar, aren't you?"

"Oh, I'm not a star but I can survive with the money I earn."

"I think that you do a great job. You always sang like an angel. I thought this from the first moment. I heard you in church, as..."

"STOP. Don't act like we are friends."

I was shocked, I didn't expected her to say something like that. I was speachless, so I didn't say anything. How could I be so stupid? It was clear that she still hates me. I looked at the floor. Erika still got the power to get me down.

I was about to say something, when I saw AJ. I took my hands on my face. What a situation, I had to find myself again. Calm down Ruthie.

I felt arms around me. AJ came over to lay his arms around me, helding me close.

"Hey Darling!"

He looked into my eyes, took a deep breath and turned to Erika.

"Good evening. How areyou?"

I could see how Erika fighted for her mask to keep it standing.

"Good." was the only thing she said and it sounded cold. She shouted self-conscious over the music "Wish you a nice evening, maybe we'll see us later."

She was near to a run out of th room. She hurried to get out of our nearness.

Then AJ took me by the arm and kissed me. He told me that the kids are right and then we talked with every person we met, especially with Christian and Andrea. But I didn't see Erika anymore. So it was a great party and I think there would be some more like this one.