Imani All Mine

Let me start by saying I read this book in 6 hours. In the beginning I was all over the place. By chapter 8 I couldn’t stop. Couldn’t stop the tears. I felt every word from Tasha’s mouth in the end. She was me. I lost my son 5 months ago and I know her feeling. Very very highly recommended.

I have to agree with one of the previous reviews putting Porter alongside J.D. Salinger & Steinback. That's all I could think about reading it, that this could go alongside the Grapes of Wrath & The Catcher in the Rye. Its seductively written. Porter is a master at weaving in all the beautiful and horrid elements of inner city life. Its not pretty, but the writting is. The ending is almost metaphoric, I still sit back and wonder about Imani, her presence in the story, if she is like one of those missing angels from Tasha's manger. As it is Imani who helps Tasha grow through her deviled past. The book has some very tough graphic moments in it, especially when it comes to the description of Tasha's rape. Its written for a mature audience, as it also graphically explores Tasha's growing sexuality. Porter walks the fine line of realistically depicting inner city life without sentamentalizing or glorifying motherhood. Porter has written Tasha's story as it is--there's no beating around any bushes. As a teacher or adult, I would be careful who's hand you put this book into. It would be very easy for a less mature reader to sentamentalize Tasha's plight. Its definitely a book that should have some follow up discussion. Porter's written a story that will change a reader.

Let me start off by saying Ms. Porter did a WONDERFUL job with this book. Me and my mother both read this book and cried like a baby at the end. This book was very touching. In the beginning we are introduced to Tasha who finds herself a mother while in high school. Tasha isn't your average teenager. She wants more to life for her baby (Imani) and herself. She wants more than what the streets has to offer you (which is a bullet in your head, or crack in your mouth). Tasha is a very bright young woman that loves her baby so much. Imani actually keeps Tasha sane in a crazy world. From the time you find out Imani's daddy to Tasha dealing with her own demons you are hooked on this book. I thought Tasha's momma didn't really care to much for Imani AT FIRST. But by the end of the book you will see just how much she really cared for her. This book deals with the hard truth of loving someone more that you love yourself. It deals with the day to day struggle of raising a child on your own without being old enough to even have a job. It deals with having dreams bigger than what your eyes can see and reaching for your goals higher than the stars. I really enjoyed this book, but I was frozen at the end. I sat on my bed a cried to the very end. It was a touching and caring book about love and death and moving on. GREAT JOB!

Tell your teacher about Imani-- believe me, he or she will thank you. My college students loved Imani: the whites were touched, fascinated, the black students said it was real; but beyond that, not since THE CATCHER IN THE RYE has there been so moving a story about an adolescent facing a spiritual wasteland. Parallels Cornel West's comments on nihilism in The Future of the Race. You're no more expected to blindly approve of everything Tasha does than you are of Holden Caulfield, but both are unforgettable. Paired well with THE GRAPES OF WRATH, another novel of humanization that's a great read. That you have to put Porter in the same company as Salinger and Steinbeck is the highest praise.

THIS WAS THE BEST BOOK I,VE EVER READ. IT MADE ME CRY AND LAUGH. IT'S HAD TO FIND A BOOK YOU CAN TRULY FEEL AND UNDERSTAND WHERE IT'S COMING FROM, BUT THIS BOOK I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. I WOULD SUGGEST EVERYONE TO READ THIS BOOK. IT WILL OPEN YOUR EYES TO WHAT IS TRULY OUT THERE IN THE REAL WORLD.

I just happened to pick this book up at the library and was glad that I did. Tasha describes feelings in the simpliest of ways that many people have felt, but couldn't put words to. Ms. Porter captured the essence of many, many young women across the nation struggling to survive with children. I laughed and cried for Tasha. I was touched by the depth of her feelings as well as her intelligence. I hope that others will pick up this book, educate themselves and ,like me, feel grateful for the blessings.