Book picks similar to
Pushing Pause by Celeste O. Norfleet


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young-adult
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Chasing Romeo


A.J. Byrd - 2008
    Growing up together in an Atlanta housing project, the girls have always been there for each other. But high school is a whole new world, and the drama is just beginning….Anjenai, Kierra and Tyler believe their bond is strong enough to survive anything. Anything—except maybe Romeo Blackwell, the finest guy and a star athlete in their new high school. What starts out as a small fan club soon becomes a huge competition. And to win, Anjenai, Kierra and Tyler will have to be down for whatever.Things start to get seriously crazy. And with all the drama, can the girls' friendship survive when Romeo finally makes his choice?

Fast Life


Cassandra Carter - 2007
    But when her single mom is offered a job that takes Kyra away from her old Chicago neighborhood, and the drugs and gang violence that go along with it, she finally realizes that there's more to life than Gucci, Prada and ghetto-fabulous bling. Starting over in a new place, with a new boyfriend, Justin, gives Kyra hope that life can be different. But sometimes the fast life catches up to you. And for Kyra, her only hope is to stay one step ahead of trouble.

The Pledge


Chandra Sparks Splond - 2007
    But that was before the guy of her every dream—basketball star Allen Benson—asked her out. She's gone from never-been-kissed to dating the hottest guy in school. And now her new boyfriend is pressuring her to prove she loves him—by having sex. But as a member of her community's Worth-the-Wait club, Courtland made a vow to stay a virgin. Now everyone—from friends to family to fellow club members—gives her different advice, from "do it!" to "you made a pledge, girl!" It would be so easy for Courtland to go all the way with Allen, but sometimes his charming personality leaves her wondering. Who knew being in love could be so confusing?

How to Salsa in a Sari


Dona Sarkar - 2007
    She just hates Issa. And for good reason: Issa finds out that her mother not only has been dating Cat's dad, but is going to marry him. That means they're moving into Cat's huge house. And not only is Issa's stepsister-to-be a total beyotch, she has no respect for Issa's Indian and African-American heritage. But Issa gets some tough advice: if she wants Cat Morena to welcome her traditions, Issa had better learn how to salsa in a sari.

Hallway Diaries: How to Be Down/Double ACT/The Summer She Learned to Dance


Felicia Pride - 2007
    Three high schools. Three gotta-read stories. How To Be Down by Felicia PrideWhen Nina Parker decides to straighten her Afro, lose her valley-girl accent and get a total makeover for her new school in the hood, the cutest guy notices--"yes!" But so does the meanest girl, Vivica, queen bee of her crew, who wants Jeffrey for herself.Double Act by Debbie RigaudIn the hood, Mia Chambers is 'the smart girl, ' but at her prestigious new prep school she hardly stands out. So Mia does what it takes-- only to be accused of selling out by her old friends!The Summer She Learned To Dance by Karen ValentinAt first, Giselle Johnson hates spending the summer with her cousin from the Dominican Republic. But she soon starts loving the island and even learns to dance to her own rhythm. That is, until her cousin attracts Giselle's high school crush..."

Maya's Choice


Earl Sewell - 2011
    First she's sent to stay with her grandmother for a month. Living in the city, Maya is too far from her friend Keysha and her boyfriend, Misalo—and too near her rebellious cousin Viviana. When Maya finally comes home, her parents drop a bombshell—Viviana is moving in with them.Her cousin has barely unpacked before she's creating chaos. Truth is, Maya kind of likes the way life is a whole lot less predictable with Viviana around. But her motives are up for debate—especially when it comes to Misalo. And as Maya's little sister, Anna, grows more fascinated with her cool older cousin, Maya begins to see that following where Viviana leads has its price. And it could cost Maya her reputation, her relationship…and maybe even her future….

Gettin' Hooked


Nyomi Scott - 2007
    Imani Lane has her heart set on Maurice, the hottest guy in town. But he isn't exactly asking. So she comes up with an idea to help herself--and everyone else, too. An online dating hookup site for local teens! Her friends and cousin can find their dream dates, and Imani can brilliantly engineer her own profile to match Maurice's. Problem is, the Web site is becoming too popular. Guys who are looking for hookups--say, with Imani's own impressionable cousin--now include some very sleazy types. So Imani has to get things unhooked and fast.

Dirty Jersey


Phillip Thomas Duck - 2008
    Unfortunately, Eric is seriously uncool;unlike his popular sister, Kenya, who sings like an angel. But forget the choir; Kenya wants the fabulous life;bad boys and fly girls.A chance encounter with Fiasco, one of the hottest rappers around, gives Eric intro into the world of the "Dirty Jersey" crew, where he's introduced to everyone and everything. Suddenly, Eric is cool and has access to anything he's ever wanted. Never mind that Fiasco isn't exactly a good guy; so what? But so what has a price. And Fiasco has just named it: Kenya.

Lost and Found


Anne Schraff - 2002
    Darcy contends with the return of her long-absent father, the troubling behavior of her younger sister Jamee, and the beginning of her first relationship.

Tyrell


Coe Booth - 2006
    He's living (for now) with his spaced-out mother and little brother in a homeless shelter. His father's in jail. His girlfriend supports him, but he doesn't feel good enough for her - and seems to be always on the verge of doing the wrong thing around her. There's another girl at the homeless shelter who is also after him, although the desires there are complicated. Tyrell feels he needs to score some money to make things better. Will he end up following in his father's footsteps?

First Semester


Cecil R. Cross II - 2007
    But when the freshman got off to a fool's start—kicking it with his new homeboys, showing up late to class, not studying and checking out the shorties—JD was assigned a tutor, the luscious Katrina Turner. She made studying real fun. But if JD wanted to get with a girl like Katrina, he'd also have to learn to grow up.

The Fight


L. Divine - 2006
    . .Proudly hailing from Compton, USA, sixteen-year-old Jayd Jackson is no stranger to drive-by shootings or run-ins with the friendly neighborhood crackhead. Street-smart, book-smart, and life-smart, she's nobody's fool--least of all KJ's, the most popular and cutest basketball jock at South Bay High, aka Drama High. Yes, it's a fact, Jayd fell hard for his player ways for a time, but now that KJ's shown his true colors--dumping Jayd because she refused to give up the cookies--she's through with him and his game playing for good.Jayd just wants to start her Junior year of high school drama free. But wanting ain't getting, especially at a place like Drama High, a predominately white high school in a wealthy part of Los Angeles, where Jayd and 30 other Compton kids get bussed to daily. Saying race relations aren't what they should be would be putting it mildly, and that's just the beginning of the drama. Jayd's first day back to school, KJ's new girlfriend, Trecee, steps to her wanting to fight. Egged on by Misty, Jayd's former best friend-turned-nemesis, Trecee wants to make Jayd understand that KJ is off limits--even if she has to do it with her fists. With the fight set for Friday, and the sistah drama at an all time high, Jayd is about to learn who's really got her back and more importantly, when she's got to watch it. But at least she can always count on Mama, and her mystical bag of tricks.Drama High is a remarkably assured debut, and L. Divine is a tantalizing and refreshing new voice. Jayd and her bold, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny assessment of life, along with her quirky cast of friends, classmates, loves, her magical family and eccentric neighbors make for an irresistible, can't-put-it-down read.

16 on the Block


Babygirl Daniels - 2009
    Sixteen-year-old Summer Flynt is forced to grow up quickly when she learns she is responsible for her older sister's debt to a thug.

Indigo Summer


Monica McKayhan - 2007
    But sometimes things are just too good to be true. After football star Quincy Rawlins abruptly dumps her for a girl who is willing to put out, Indigo's popularity and self-esteem take a nosedive. When her perfect world falls apart, Indigo turns to the one person who seems to have his head on straight—her next-door neighbor, sixteen-year-old Marcus Carter. The problem is, now that Indigo realizes what a great guy Marcus really is, so does someone else.

Tears of a Tiger


Sharon M. Draper - 1994
    He's consumed with guilt for driving the night of the accident after a long evening of drinking and partying. With perceptiveness and compassion, Sharon M. Draper portrays an African-American teenager who feels driven to consider suicide in the wake of a devastating tragedy.