Stacie & Cole

Stacie and Cole by RM Johnson is a coming-of-age story about teenagers in love, who are faced with tough decisions. Stacie and Cole start dating in ninth grade and for the next two years are inseparable. It is easy to read how in love they are. However, once they reach the age of sixteen Cole is convinced it is time to have sex. Stacie is not as sure about it and her father, Clark, is even less sure. After his wife leaves the family, Clarks deals with raising Stacie alone and is suspicious and over-protective. Cole has his friends telling him, `If she loved you she would.' Stacie's dad is of course, telling her she had better not. There is also a compelling fact that resonates in her mind. Her sister, Mya, got pregnant as a teenager and was thrown out of their home and Stacie is not interested in suffering the same fate. The story goes back and forth with the teenagers trying to decide what to do, while trying to filter advice from friends and family. There are also very good back stories about Cole's relationship with his mother, Lana, his missing father, Franklin, and potential stepfather, Edrick. Another interesting storyline is the one between Stacie and her best friend, Donesha, who might not be as good a friend as she appears. We are also given glimpses of why Stacie's father is so protective and what drives him. Stacie and Cole is a glimpse at family turmoil and the growing pains of young people. There is also a strong message about standing by your decisions and forgiveness. I recommend Stacie and Cole to teens over the age of sixteen and to older readers interested in reading about the struggles teens have with certain issues. Having read all of Mr. Johnson's work for adults, I feel he does a fine job with his young adult debut. Angelia Menchan APOOO BookClub