Review: Ok novel about teen pregnancy
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 05 10, 2014
The first thing I have to say is that this book needs an editor. Although the dialogue is meant to sound like that of a 15 year old, it is strangely stilted by the odd absence of contractions in conversations. Also, the author has many misspellings and incorrect grammar usages within the story, along with the occasional incomplete sentence.The plot follows mainly Maddie, a 15 year old sophomore who is dating Ben, the 18 year-old senior that she was tutoring. They have a birth control failure and an unplanned pregnancy, but are supported by her mother (herself a single parent) in raising the baby. His parents throw him out for this decision and he moves into her mother's pool house, working and paying some rent while being there for Maddie and going to school. Maddie's cousin, Allison, who is the same age and is like a sister, is also pregnant and dating Ben's best friend Chance.The author gives a realistic account of some of the issues facing teens who are pregnant-social stigma and peer isolation, inability to stay in school due to physical complications, medical complications, increased risk of multiple births and increased risk of cesarean delivery. Although having been an OB-GYN and Labor and Delivery Nurse for many years (and the mother of 3), I felt she may have laid it on a bit thick with the physical misery. The author also throws in some serious emotional trauma during the pregnancy which further complicates things for Maddie, and for Allison as well. There are Christian themes throughout and no sexual scenes. Maddie remains sure that she will reach her goals of completing high school and going to college, despite raising children, so I appreciate that message.Overall, the book could use a good realism and editing overhaul, but I think the author has a well intentioned message. This is a clean read, no sex, profanity or violence.