Because I was at WHHS when Sharon Draper was a teacher there, I enjoy reading her YA novels. ( )

November Blues is the story of a brave high school aged girl who must make a colossal decision that all too many high school girls today are faced with. November gains the support of her friends and manages to show where courage and support can get you in life. ( )

This is a sequel to The Battle of Jericho, but you do not have to read it to follow and enjoy November Blues. I have only read November Blues, and I can easily see why it is a Coretta Scott King honor book. Draper's portrayal of teenage pregnancy is extremely realistic. She doesn't shy away from anything when describing the repercussions of teenage pregnancy. When a book makes me want to read others by the author, I would say it was a positive experience reading it.
If a teacher did choose to use it in the classroom, I would recommend only HS students read it. The subject matter is too adult for kids not in HS. It is a great cautionary tale that doesn't have a fairy tale ending. ( )

November Blues is very realistic and filled with the events of teen girl dealing with the death of her boyfriend,Josh, his family and being pregnant. Josh's cousin Jericho becomes a friend and support she desperately needs.
Curricular connections, writing personal narratives, research on teen depression, pregnancy, death.

Describes the realities of a teen pregnancy right down to the problematic birth. Although disappointed with this unexpected life direction (she had plans to attend college), November accepts the inevitable and her responsibilities, with the support of her mother and her friends Jericho, Dana and Olivia. ( )