Teenage Love Affair (Ni-Ni Girl Chronicles)

Not since Anne Schraff's "Someone to Love Me" has teen dating violence been discussed as candidly as it has in "Teenage Love Affair" by Ni-Ni Simone. The story opens with a letter to the readers from the main character Zsa-Zsa, a Newark, New Jersey teen. She explains to the reader in her own words that 'love is good, easy and free but the most important love is for you'. Words spoken from a teen that has seemingly has everything: a closet full of designer clothing, envy of her classmates, her own vehicle and a fine boyfriend Ameen who has a serious swagger that is pure `fiyah.'Zsa-Zsa and her widowed mother have a strained relationship. We learn that instead of her mother spending time with her and her little sister Hadiah, she instead begins to date again and spend time away from the home. To add to her unhappy home life, Zsa-Zsa's annoying Cousin Shake and Ms Minnie come to live with her family to help `bring order in the house.'When her childhood sweetheart Malachi moves back into her neighborhood and tries to re-kindle their relationship, things become rocky between Zsa-Zsa and Ameen. Ameen becomes jealous of the way Zsa-Zsa looks and feels about the good looking and charismatic Malachi and takes his insecurities out on her. The abuse first begins verbally, and then escalates to physical abuse. Like most teens, Zsa-Zsa's doesn't confide in her friends or family members about the abuse until it becomes painfully obvious. After a violent attack by Ameen that leaves her unconscious, both Zsa-Zsa and her mother are forced to face old demons and make changes that will affect their lives. Author Simone reveals that the mother endured years of abuse by her deceased husband and the abuse was witnessed by Zsa-Zsa, Hadiah and her older brother Derrick. The reader watches Zsa-Zsa as she painfully struggles to break free from Ameen's abuse and influence and begin a loving relationship with Malachi.New characters, `Asha the Diva' and the `Tiny and Toi' reality show TV lovin' Courtney round up Zsa-Zsa's ride-or-die friends. Family members Toi, Seven, a Cousin Shake and his new bride Ms Minnie and provide comic relief to this otherwise sensitive teenage story. This book would be a good choice for a book club because there is a discussion guide at the end of the story that encourages teens to discuss teen love, dating and relationships. The chapters that describe the sexual relations between Zsa-Zsa and Ameen and the sexual tension between Zsa-Zsa and Malachi are not graphic in description but would be more suited for high school library YA collection.All of Ni-Ni Simone's books currently appear on the 2010 Quick Pick List for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. I like Simone's books because they are hip, tackle issues that affect young teens today and have crossover appeal to adult readers. Her latest book, "Teenage Love Affair" is sure to be a hit with teens and I'm sure many more will follow.

NiNi Simone hits another home run with her Senior Novel, Teenage Love Affair. In this novel Simone touches a taboo issue, teenage dating abuse. An issue that should be discussed but is often hid behind the bruises that teenagers endure. I was elated to see that Simone incorporated at the conclusion of her novel, questions and tips about teenage love and relationships. This book is a must read for teenagers as well as parents of teenagers.Zsa-Zsa is a junior in high school, wearing the latest styles, driving her very own vehicle and thinks she's very much in love with Ameen. That is until, her childhood sweetheart Malachi who had moved away many years ago, comes back in town, fine, ripped, sporting a six pack and quite the gentleman. Quickly the feelings that Zsa-Zsa once felt comes plummeting back. However, Ameen, although he has his own skeletons, is not that guy to play around on. When Ameen feels that his relationship with Zsa-Zsa is being challenged, he reacts in the language he knows best, abuse, both physical and mentally. Can Zsa-Zsa and Ameen's teenage love survive the home-coming of her first love?Malachi, who is both charming and loveable, challenges Zsa-Zsa to live a fun and carefree life as a teenager, free from abuse and turmoil. However, as much as Zsa-Zsa would like to be that careful, fun-loving teenage; she comes with family baggage that she doesn't seem to want to deal with. The question becomes will she be forced to face those demons and make some changes.Zsa-Zsa and her mom, shares a strained relationship and in order to go forward, they must first venture backwards and deal with the abuse that has rocked her family lives. Abuse, that was melted out from the very man that should have been their protector, her father.Can Zsa-Zsa capture those demons, turn them around and put them in prospective? Can Zsa-Zsa heal her tumultuous relationship that she shares with her mother?Is there healing for the two of them? Well, could that healing come in the form of a cousin? Check out and see what happens when Cousin Shake and his new bride Miss Minnie arrives on the scene. And they come armed with lots of love and an ample amount of ammunition ... blessing oil! Is this all that Zsa-Zsa needs to put her out of control life and love affair back into perspective?Simone handles her business and allows us to sojourn into the lives of Zsa-Zsa, Malachi and Ameen, all the while leaving a lasting impression of all who reads this novel. For this story is sure to leave an imprint on your heart. Dare to take this journey with Zsa-Zsa, her two ride or die friends, Courtney and Asha; along with Malachi and of course Ameen.Simone fuses humor into this otherwise extremely sensitive issue. She handles her business and supplies the reader with a realistic fiction novel.Kudos are, again, in order for NiNi Simone, the Princess of Young Adult literature.Reviewed by Marie of WDSbc

As we all know when we tell out children to do as we say and not as I do but in essence they always do as we do and not as we say. This goes for 17 year old Zsa-Zsa, who witnessed her mother beating by her father and so the cycle of Domestic Abuse begins.Zsa Zsa doesn't believe she is victim of abuse, but everyone around knows her current boyfriend Ameen is no good. When Malachi the love of her life returns after five years everything seem to fall apart. Will Zsa Zsa with the help of Malachi and her friends Asha and Courtney, will she be able to end the cycle of abuse or will she remain a victim.Ms Simone does a wonder full job of bring teen domestic abuse to the for front. With her incorporation of old characters Cousin Shake & Ms Minnie and new ones Courtney and Asha. She brings you a delightfully funny, highly entertaining and educational read. I recommend this book to any and every teen out there and parents as well. I don't want to give to much away so if you want more you need to buy the book. Five starsFavorite Character(s) Courtney, Cousin Shake, Ms Millie, Uncle Easy and Aunt NoraLeast Favorite Character(s) AmeenWhat did you like about the book? The fact that is was real and anyone young and old could relate.What did you Not like about the book? These wasn't anything to dislike.Reviewed by KeciaFor Readers In Motion Book Club[...]

daughters intrest

My niece loved this book

This book was good I really like it it tought me a lot about stuff im going though and I feel like writing my own book

Love this series