Book Review: Is No Not Clear Enough For You

Book Cover Images image of Is No Not Clear Enough For You

by Angelia Vernon Menchan

    Publication Date: Dec 01, 2007
    List Price: $9.95
    Format: Paperback, 180 pages
    Classification: Fiction
    ISBN13: 9780978783532
    Imprint: acVernon Menchan
    Publisher: acVernon Menchan
    Parent Company: acVernon Menchan

    Read a Description of Is No Not Clear Enough For You


    Book Reviewed by Idrissa Uqdah


    Ageless Fiction 

    What I expected to be a Young Adult novel turns out to be a good read for women of all ages.  Is NO Not Clear Enough For You? by Angelia Vernon Menchan is an amusingly clever story about young people learning real life lessons while struggling to stay in God’s grace. 

    The main character, sixteen year-old Malaaka Green, is the daughter of a single mother who made some choices early in life that she is determined Malaaka will not repeat.  Somewhat estranged from her parents since she became pregnant with Malaaka in her first year of college, Ava Green has done her best to make up for her mistakes.  Ava’s parents are from the old Christian school and unable to let go of the past. Their emotional distance causes Ava great pain.  Although they dote on their granddaughter Malaaka, the elder Greens cannot forgive Ava for what they feel as her ’fall from Grace.’ Ava, on the other hand, has to learn to forgive herself before she can forgive her parents.

    Young Malaaka is smart, sassy, focused and obedient. She clearly knows her goals and aspirations.  Although she is a church-raised young lady and spiritual, she still knows how to enjoy being a teenager.  She is not moved by peer pressure and that in itself is what makes her popular and loved by teens and adults alike in her community.

    This coming of age tale offers positive reinforcement without being preachy.  The author gives her teen characters a voice and the realism of today’s young people is evident in their actions.  Yet, the storyline is full of good advice and mother wit.  The adults in the novel are also real to life and handle the responsibility of mentoring and nurturing their youth in a practical way.

    The novel encourages young people to reach for their own stars and remember to make good choices in their lives. You will want to buy several copies of this book’one for yourself and for the teenagers in your family.

    I found Is NO Not Clear Enough For You? an entertaining read and a refreshing portrayal of an African American community that seriously takes on the adage that ’It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.’

    Read acVernon Menchan’s description of Is No Not Clear Enough For You.

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