Drama High: Second Chance

Reason Book Chosen

I wanted to read a book in a series, one that might be a little bit easier and lighter. Also, this book is a popular circulating title at the library I work at.

Author: L. Divine

Publisher: Kensington

ISBN: 0758216351

Copyright Date: 2006

Genre

Urban Fiction

About the Author

L. Divine is the author of the Drama High Series. She holds a Masters in African American Studies and Educational Psychology from UCLA.

Reader’s Annotation

 JayD doesn’t know who to date or who to hate. Nothing is just black and white.

Plot Summary

JayD, an African American teenager living with her single mother in the city, meets Jeremy, a wealthy white teenager who is in trouble at school and with the law. Jayd’s ex boyfriend, KJ is jealous, and keeps trying to win JayD back. JayD has to decide who is the man for her. On top of this, she has some unresolved drama with some girls at school (from book one in the series), a teacher who she is considering reporting for her  inappropriate comments and behavior, and a decision to make regarding whether or to trust Jeremy. JayD likes Jeremy a lot but everyone else seems to be routing against them as a couple. She also worries that Jeremy only likes her because she is Black. JayD is not sure who to trust- her friends, herself, her teachers, or her man. JayD uses a a little superstition and a little “magic” that she learns from her mother, to help guide Jeremy’s fate, and ultimately her own.

Critical Analysis

The characters in this book are totally flat and do not develop at all. The name indicates there would be a lot of interesting plot or at least drama, and really, there isn’t a whole lot. There is hardly any plot at all, and the writing is also fairly poor. The books attempts to address race issues, black:white dating relationships, and racism by a teacher, but he issues are not presented in subtle way, nor is there any insight or any real depth to exploring these issues. The only interesting thing about this novel is JayD’s mother, and JayD herself, are a little superstitious, and perhaps even witches, whom make special food recipes to remedy situations. This one interesting tiny part of the plot, however, never goes anywhere, and is left totally without any explanation or resolution whatsoever. This book is part of a series, so I can only hope that the rest of the series somehow redeems this book.

Themes/Issues/Tags

Race relations, black/white, interracial dating, drugs, superstition, high school, loyalty/betrayal, friendships

Controversial Subject Matters

Race relations

Stereotypical characters

Witchy/Pagan/Superstitious elements

Defense: These are very lightly brushed, and are presented in a playful, “don’t take this too seriously” kind of way.

Booktalking Ideas

Prop - Make cupcakes and give them out! Suggest that JayD makes cupcakes to remedy a situation with a boy.

Topic/theme – Decision-making (in general, or between to guys or girls you like)

Curriculum Ties

Race relations

Reading Level

 12+

Interest Level

 12-17