JULIA PRESS SIMMONS SIGNED A MULTI BOOK DEAL WITH URBAN IN 2022
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Strawberry Mansion: A Philadelphia Story is a dramatic tale of three young friends who must rely on their connection to each other to weather tragic storms.
Tabitha lost her freedom in high school when she hooked up with a boy who would impregnate her and make her his punching bag. Lisa is deemed "the strong one" by her friends, but her own past of sexual abuse and pregnancy at the hands of her stepfather keeps her one second away from falling apart as the drama builds. Their younger friend, Shanice, is a hellion, ready and willing to let any boy have her just to get the affection she believes her mother has withheld. As their world spirals out of control, they cling fast to one another in the hope that love, friendship, and strength will not only keep them together but will also move them to a better place in their lives.
Tabitha lost her freedom in high school when she hooked up with a boy who would impregnate her and make her his punching bag. Lisa is deemed "the strong one" by her friends, but her own past of sexual abuse and pregnancy at the hands of her stepfather keeps her one second away from falling apart as the drama builds. Their younger friend, Shanice, is a hellion, ready and willing to let any boy have her just to get the affection she believes her mother has withheld. As their world spirals out of control, they cling fast to one another in the hope that love, friendship, and strength will not only keep them together but will also move them to a better place in their lives.
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023
I LOVED this book. It’s a quick read, finished in about a day. The cover made it seem like it was a romance novel and the description made it seem like it was a book for teens. I feel like the book is so much more. It deals with complex themes like domestic and sexual violence, the limitations of inner-city resources, and family dynamics. I loved peeking into the minds of imperfect, complex female characters - especially the one who was a bit of an anti-hero. As someone who has worked as a teacher, I found empathy in diving into the psychology of a character who moved from stellar student to street kid. I recommend that any teacher and social worker read this book.
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From the author of Strawberry Mansion comes the tale of Begonia Brown. Raised in the unforgiving streets of North Philadelphia, Begonia is undoubtedly a product of her environment: young, ruthless, and criminally minded.
Begonia's carefree world has been turned upside down. Forced to become the head of her household, she has to trade her paintbrush in for a switchblade and her love of art into a love affair with the hood. Lying, stealing, and turning tricks, Begonia will do any and everything she can to protect her sisters from the ugliness of the world. However, it just isn't enough...
Begonia is caught between the hard knocks of the streets and the nightmare of her home life. Her younger sister, Violet, desperate to escape the hell her life has become, is seduced by an up-and-coming corner boy. Meanwhile, their baby sister Daisy is riddled with a disease that could be fatal if not cared for. Come along for Begonia's journey as she picks up the pieces of a life in shambles.
