Wildflower

January 1, 2011

Gr 7-10-This middle-class African-American family is at odds. Mom and Pop argue over everything: what 14-year-old Chelsea wears, who she goes out with, and the fact that Mom talks to Grandmother and Grandmother doesn't like Pop. On top of that, Mom is reluctant to support Pop in his dream of buying the garage where he works as a mechanic. Pop is on Chelsea's every move with immature, inappropriate rants, and no one ever addresses his abusive behavior. Know-it-all Jarris, old and wise beyond his 16 years, has advice for everyone on what they should do and sides with Pop on Chelsea's attire, helping her to see the light. And what exactly is the issue? She wears short shorts and skimpy tops, and has some minor connections with a bad boy. Jarris worries about Mom and Pop getting divorced, what is going on with his friends at school, and generally everyone else's business. There isn't much action or development in between the boring moralistic and high-handed harangues directed at Chelsea, aka the "Wildflower."-Amy Cheney, Alameda County Library, Oakland, CA

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