by Ebony LaDelle. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2022.
Prior to being an author, LaDelle was a brand marketing director in book publishing and worked at Penguin Random House and HarperCollins, among others. Born in Michigan, awoken at Howard University, and cultivated in Brooklyn, she can usually be found eating out somewhere or being the undisputed Mom Friend of any group (author’s website). In an interview with Publisher’s Weekly (by Iyana Jones, May 17, 2022), LaDelle shared her intention in writing this novel about black love, was to “subvert a lot of narratives that have been placed on Black kids” and through her protagonists “show the complications of love and the complications of being a Black person and falling in love, but also that it could still be healthy and beautiful. It’s about processing all of those things on your own and having that journey of self-discovery and self-love before coming to [that] person as your best.”
An exploration of black love leads to the realities of self-discovery for two African American teens.
Prince Jones and Danielle Ford are in their senior years of high school. Prince, who is a DJ and popular host of a radio show offering love advice, aspires to continue in the industry after college. As the primary caretaker for his mother who is suffering from multiple sclerosis and his seven-year-old brother, he worries about their care in the future. Dani is anxious to garner a scholarship at an institution in New York City where she plans to pursue a career as an author. Focused on writing the perfect essay for admission to college and coping with a traumatic experience which she has kept secret from her parents and close friends, she has retreated from her social life.
On a chance encounter in the library, Prince sees Dani, “The girl my homies have been clowning me about since middle school. / The crush I could never shake” (p. 33). Prince wants a relationship, suggesting, “And who knows? You might mess around and fall in love with me.” (p. 82). Although Dani rebuffs his advances because she is not ready to fall in love, Prince eventually convinces her to give him three dates.
This love story, told in alternate voices, is one of mutual respect and support as Prince and Dani work through personal struggles with each other. Their growth, which brings them to the realization of self-discovery is authentically portrayed with a nod to mental health and seeking help. After Dani shares the secret of an attempted sexual assault/rape with her father, she assures him, “I’m doing what I have to do to make sure I’m okay. I found some resources online for a few local support groups, and I even made an appointment with our school counselor.” (p. 274”). For Prince who thought he had the answers for his dilemma, when he tells the counselor, he plans to attend a community college to be near home for his mom, he responds, “There’s nothing wrong with community college. But Prince, you’re so much smarter than this. You’re not going to be challenged there…” (p. 200). Prince agrees to accept his assistance in finding scholarships and resources to help his mom.
What works: Two additional themes efficiently interwoven throughout the novel are strong familial and peer relationships. Both protagonists thrive in supportive home environments, although Prince’s is a bit stressful, and they are fortunate to have friends whose loyalties are unwavering.
The setting of Detroit, Michigan is on prominent display and logically connected to Prince’s passion for music.
The vivid characterization of primary characters is complemented by a cast of appealing secondary characters, all of which are highly relatable.
The incident of attempted sexual assault/rape is tactfully presented as a flashback (pp. 253-255).
It is a completely satisfying story about young Black love.
What doesn’t work: Nothing.
Pass It OR Grab It? “Grab It” for any high school or public library young adult collection. It is a joyously positive and endearing love story.
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