Kendra by Coe Booth

Booth, C. (2008). Kendra. New York, NY: Push.

Summary: Kendra lives in the Bronx with her grandmother. Her mother, only 14 years her senior, just finished her Ph.D. Kendra hopes to live with her mother. Her father lives upstairs with his younger sister and Kendra's best friend, Adonna. Kendra is trying to figure out puberty, boys and win her mother's acceptance.

Review: A raw book of coming-of-age. Compulsive and compelling. Due to the sex scenes, I would recommend this for a high school library.

Diversity: Strong and powerful female African American characters of low socio-economic status.

Suggestions for Teachers: Great for coming-of-age literature circle.

Reading Level:

1. Quantitative: Lexile 770, ATOS Book Level 9.67-12.01, Flesh-Kincaid 8.32-12.12, 8.41-10.81 RMM
2. Qualitative: This text is slightly complex; the organization is chronological and easy to follow. The language is also largely contemporary and familiar. Overall, this novel is very accessible. Knowledge of housing projects could help readers visualize more.

Content Areas: English

Common Core State Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Relevant links: Teaching Books, Coe Booth

Subjects/Themes: family, acceptance

Awards: N/A

Series Information: N/A