Keysha's Drama

Keysha #1

by Earl Sewell

Sixteen-year-old Keysha Kendall is a judge's signature away from foster care when she's sent to live with the father she never knew. Suddenly she has her own room in his big fancy house, a high-powered stepmother and a popular half brother who can introduce her to all the right people at her new school.

But Keysha can't forget where she came from. And she won't let anyone else, either. Why should her father and his perfect family have it so easy when she and her mother had it so hard? And so Keysha hooks up with a rough crowd and does whatever she wants…until what she wants changes real fast….

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult Contemporary, African American, Family, Teen

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connections

KEYSHA'S DRAMA written by Earl Sewell tells the story of Keysha, a teen from Chicago; she is forced to be responsible for self.
With the new school year approaching, the nerd in Keysha is anxious to at the very least have somewhere to escape to. Unfortunately, with an impending eviction, missing mom and no money, Keysha agrees to go on a shopping spree. Things didn't exactly go as they had expected, Keysha learns that Justine, her missing mom, isn't just out hanging in the streets, but is incarcerated so what's going to happen to her?

Uprooted, confused, unloved and desperately trying to beat the odds, Keysha is trying hard to deal with her situation. When she learns that she has a father who is willing to take her in, Keysha is apprehensive. Suddenly she doesn't have it so tough. While she and her step-mother and step brother aren't exactly receptive, she finally has a home, with her own room and a chance to do things differently. Will Keysha use this opportunity to better herself? Or is she her own worst enemy?

KEYSHA'S DRAMA was a really quick and easy read. Although I felt an immediate connection to the character, it felt a little mismatched for the beginning as we went through the background. However, I didn't detour and look forward to reading IF I WERE YOUR BOYFRIEND featuring the same main character.

[Aimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow this book was very bad, parts were just creepy and why would a man write about that club part! She seemed ghetto and it was hard to finish this book. I really wasnt to fond of it and it made Chicago look bad and I live in Chicago and it's really not that bad. At some parts it reminded me of Sarah Dessen's Lock and Key , similar theme about a girl whose mom doesnt support and take care of her and the girl goes to a rich house but it definitely was not as well written, lots of grammatical errors, so I wouldnt recommend this one.

[DylanAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok book. I don't think it was that good because it wasn't up to date enough and the ending left questions unanswered. The climax and some events in the book were interesting but the conflict didn't come to a resolution at the end of the book. I could relate to the main character Keysha in some ways and I think that's what made the book not bad. The author wasn't detailed enough in some parts of the book and he didn't fully capture the essence of what he was writing about. I don't think grown men should write books about teenage girls because they've never been a teenage girl, so they've never thought like a teenage girl or can fully understand teenage girls. Female authors who write about teenage girls are more detailed and raw. But the book was decent.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever just feel like you connect to a book so much you call it your soul mate? Well I did in the book Keysha's Drama. Keysha is 17 year old girl that has been through a lot in her life. Her mother went to jail because of drug use. And Keysha found herself in a foster home of teenage girls. But one day her "dad" shows up with his family and takes her home. Keysha never met her father until the day he took her home with him. When she start to live with her dad her world changes because she start to hang out with the wrong group and she feels like the only one who likes her in that house is her dad. But at the end of all she finds herself and people that love her as well.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK I KINDA WITH THROUGH THE SAME THING KESHIA WITH THOUGH.WITH HER MOM NOT BEING THERE RUNING THE STRETTS DONT CARE NOTHING ABOUT HER DAUGHTER GETING THE NEXT MEAL OR NOT SO I FEEL THE PAIN THAT SHE FELLES KESHIA FINDS WHO HER REAL FRIENDS ARE GET AND A LITLE TROUBLE BUT AT THE END THINGS START LOOK GOOD FOR HER.....

[Lanetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I didn't like the fact that Keysha was friends with a lesbian, but it's understandable because at the beginning she didn't know, and then they end up not being friends at the end of the story. Other than that, the storyline was pretty good.

[Nardayia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keysha was pretty a good character. I felt kind of bad for her cause her mother left her in a dirty/filthy house. She had to go live with her dad.The next book im reading is Decision Time and her dad takes good care of her. i really liked that book cause of the ending.

[Tiffany Spencer]

Keysha’s Drama
Keysha confronts her ex Ronnie after catching him at the movies boo’d up with some other chick. She didn’t confront him right away because for a couple of months she stayed with her Aunt and her husband. But her Grandmother got sent to jail for trying to go in her Aunt’s husband’s bank account. Keysha’s aunt dies and her mother gets pregnant. So she’s been going through some things. She tries to give Ronnie a chance to explain himself (which really what is there to explain clearly he’s moved on but I guess she thinks he’s gonna go the route men go when they start rambling off how much of a mistake it was and that it meant nothing). Ronnie doen’t do this. He just says he’s over her and she’s crazy. This isn’t good enough for Keisha and she tries to get him to give her a reason (been there). He tells her to go home. In anger she grabs his hair and pulls a chunk out.

His mother shows up and she runs off. (I’ll atleast give Ronnie credit for not trying to physically fight her), When she gets back to her apartment, she runs into her friend Toya whose (how can I describe this girl). She wants the govenement to support her while she drops out and have her man take care of her. She wants Keysha to be just as trifling but Keysha at least has some motivation to do better.

Keysha goes in and starts watching a sitcom and wishes she had the Banks for a family and that she was Hilary and Phillip was her Daddy (Don’t we all). Then Toya comes by and drops her baby over to watch while she goes to handle some business (which turns out to be “her man” turns out has another baby momma. Later Justine comes in but goes back out to a club. Keyha tries to tell her she needs school supplies but Justine is like not my problem. Then bounces to go twerk somewhere on a pole probably. When she does come back, she’s with a guy she used to screw around with in the neighboorhood back in the day (Simon). Simon thinks Keysha looks like his cousin. But didn’t Justine say she wasn’t sure who Keysha’s father is. Simon and Justine go to the apartment because Simon has a “job” he wants to discuss with Justine (I think you can probably tell it’s not legal. Wouldn’t surprise me if it’s prostitution). After she registers, Keysha runs into Toya again and after she agrees with Keysha they can’t count on their parents, she comes up with a plan to get what they need at the mall by getting five finger discounts using Junior as a decoy. Keysha isn’t realy comfortable with it, tho she’s no stranger to it.

After hitting out some stores, with Keysha acting as distraction, Toya is finally caught by the police. Keysha sees this conflicted then decides she wants no part of it and exits out the mall. Wow! I mean I get it but DAYUM KEYSHA! When she gets home she finds out she has an eviction notice. Needing someone to talk to she calls Ronnie. It goes about how you’d expect. He brushes her off and hangs up in her face. Keysha has a scare the next day at school. Two police come into the classroom. Luckily she’s not the one they’re looking for. Keysha sees Toya’s grandmother after school. She’s about to go to the police station. She’s upset and doesn’t know what happened to Junior. Keysha wants to tell her what happened but doesn’t.

After school the next day, Toya is outside and ready to open up a can of whup ass on Keysha. Junior was taken away and Toya says she was calling to Keysha to take him with her. She wasn’t worried about going to jail because she knew she’d get out. Keysha tries to tell her it’s not her fault, but Toya isn’t hearing it. Her knife accidently cuts Keysha’s hand. They circle each other for a bit and then Keysha pleads with her that she’s about to be evicted. Toya says she deserves it because her mother is a whore and she’s locked up. She saw her when she was in jail/ She says that a lady is at their house going through there stuff. The lady tells Keyhsa her name is Maggie and she’s there from Child Protective Servies to put her in a group home. Keysha blacks out from the injury Toya gave her. After claling the ambulance and having her hand stitched up,

Maggie lays it out for Keysha. Her mother got brought in for drugs and prostitution (just as I thought) and she’s reached out to someone that might be her father. She didn’t know until Simon helped her figure out who it might be. If it doesn’t work out or the man is unwilling to take a DNA test then she can stay at the home until she’s 18. Then she’s free to live her life. Keysha thinks about running away thinking her chances will be better on the streets but the lady points out the obvious she’ll have no where to go, no money, and nothing to eat. Keysha finally gives her the ok to contact the guy.
Maggie takes Keysha to do a blood sample. She says that Simon contacted a cousin of his and reminded him of a house party. At first when Maggie called he said he had no knowledge of Justine. But he agreed to take the test to make sure he didn’t have any stray kids floating around. The test came back positive. Maggie tells Keysha his name is Jordan and his has a wife and younger son. He’ll come to meet her in a few days and he’s bringing his mother to meet her. When they do Grandma Katie takes to her immediately. Jordan says he can’t just take her in he already has a family. Maggie tells them Keysha is a good kid just a little emotional. She points out she’s not pregnant and she doesn’t do drugs. She actually likes school. Jordan wants to know if her mother is released will she get her parental rights back. Keysha lives the room. Grandma Katie comes to comfort her and says it’ll all work out in time, but Keysha says they don’t want her and neither does the state so she might as well kill herself. Then she runs back to her room.

Keysha goes with Maggie to pay her mom a visit in jail. Justine just says it’s the best she can do for Keysha right now. Keysha says she doesn’t think Jordan wants her and Justine says she didn’t either. After this she resents them both (especially when Justine tells her she expects to find a way to take of her once she gets out). Grandma Katie and Jordan show up and tell her they’ve come to get her. Keysha doesn’t really want to to go but Grandma Katie talks her into it. Even tho the house is gorgeous, Keysha feels a disconnect with her new family. They’re all about to go out to dinner, and Barbara makes Keysha feel self-conscious about the scarf she has on. Grandma Katie says it’s an adjustment and she really wants to know Keysha just like she wants she wants her to know them. (She knows immediately the issue is with her hair and starts to fix it). Even Jordan seems to be trying to know her, but then Barbara messes up the moment by saying they should stay in because she doesn’t feel good.

The nexd day Barbara lays down the rules. Don’t come back in the house pregnant and get good grades. She tells her she thinks she’ll turn up like her mother and grandmother.But her Grandmother later has a heart to heart talk with her about netative thoughts, and each member of her new family. Then she gives her a number to call her whenever she wants to talk. On the first day at her new school, Keysha is put in all remedial classes and meets a Goth chick named “Liz” that has mostly the same classes who attachs herself to her. (Umm I wouldn’t trust this!) Liz and Keysha have stuff in common. They were both in homes.. Someone calls her ”Lesbo Liz” (thought so). Jordan begins to have a father-daughter talk with her after school, but again Barbara interrupts again. Again Jordan tries to give Keysha some family history and shows her old family photos and videos but Barbara interrupts. They almost go at it, but Jordan tells her to step out the office. Frustrated and angry she takes it out on Mike and does a “Cookie” and beats him with a broom. She gets grounded. He gets nada.
Whoah. So Liz tells Keisha to sneak out and go to this club, Tricked Out. And they start discussing sex. Not surprisingly Liz has been with girls (she says she’s bi.) but then (wasn’t expecting this) Keisha says she’s thought about being with a girl but hasn’t acted on it. At the club, Keisha is drugged (by Liz) and starts getting aroused when dancing with her in cage. Mike shows up but Liz has disappeared. Keysha goes out to look for her high as a kite and almost gets raped by some guys, but Mike comes to her rescue. When she comes out of the haze, she��s at home in her bed. The next day, Keysha doesn’t know what happened. She hears Barbara and Jordan arguing. Barbara wants to send her back convinced now that she’s a drug addict but Jordan doesn’t think that’s the solution.

Keysha wants to apologize and explain but Jordan angrily tells her to go to her room and not come out until he says so. Keysha actually fears him at this point. Keysha finds out that the ones who took the drug are having the effects of brain damage. Keysha then gets a letter from her Grandmother in jail answering her back and telling her now that she has a rich Daddy she should give her his social security and bank info. At school, Liz tells her the police are there doing an investigation and before she knows it she’s arrested. They find a bag of pills in her locker (one guess who put it there), Keysha claims she doesn’t know how they got there, but she’s taken in anyway. Jordan comes and bails her out, but when she gets home Barbara finds Rubylee’s letter she shows it to Jordan and thinks Keysha and ahe are involved in a drug scam. The neigbors now even want to kick her out and the school board wants to dismiss Barbara. Barbara tho takes up for her to the board. Mike tells her Barbar’s sister took drugs so she tore up her room, but found nothing. Keysha realizes they’re all taking up for her. Barbara apologizes, explains about her sister, and says she considers her family and they’ll get to the bottom of who set her up. It ends with Keysha asking Jordan why he took the test and he says there was no doubt in his mind and reassures her that it doesn’t matter that she screwed up they’ll get through this.Keysha says she loves him. He says he loves her too!

My Thoughts.
I felt so bad for Keisha and how she kept threating to commit sucide because she thought no one wanted here that in the middle of the book I just wanted to hug her and take her in myself. (And if you know me that’s saying something). I also by the end of it could truly say it taught me that all my issues seemed small in comparson. Yes, when I was in my teens and young adults there were guys I dealt with like Ronnie that let me down and just left all of a sudden turning so cold to me that I didn’t recognize them. It hurt to see her clinging even when he clearly was over her. I probably also made the mistake of in a weak moment calling one of em. But at least Ronnie didn’t pretend he cared. It’s twice as worse when they act like they give a damn and promise to be there and they’re not.

As for looks, I wasn’t as bad. I mean there were things I didn’t like. Like Keisha I tend not to like my own hair because it’s too thin, but I know that’s because of medication and being a diabetic. I hate that it’s not as long as when I was younger (that was before). I tend to hate being a small size, but that doesn’t bother me until the moment, people think (and talk to me like) I’m YEARS younger than I really am. (That is just NOT complementary to me). But I’ve never had a bad skin and pimples.

And as for family. Justine was HORRIBLE! My mom and I have our disagreements, and een though sometimes I wish she’d try to understand things for my point of view, she’s never been into drugs or acted less than her age. Since she’s a teaqcher, she’s always cared about my education and has always provided me with the things I needed when I was in school. I’ve also always known who my father is. But I was *VERY* impressed with Jordan for stepping up and being man enough to try to correct the mistake he made. I really loved the parts where he and Keysha were bonding. With my brother its opposite. Keysha thought of Mike as what I call a “studio gangster”. She really wasn’t trying to know him. With my own brother we aren’t as close as I would like us to be. But I think as the story goes on they form more acceptance of each other. And I get along quite well with my stepmother AND her sister. There might have been a moment when she first married my father when we weren’t so close, but it was NOTHING like Barbara and Keysha were we were at each others throats all the time. And both my Grandmothers were also very much like Grandmother Katie. I can’t remember them being anything but loving and protective of me. And for the most part no one been locked up. A few of the males have seen jail but its’ because of stuff like tickets and cop harassment,

I also didn’t wind up with baby mama drama or drama with a guy over some girl (tho yes I ‘m not stupid I know with the ones I was with there were others, but they just did a better job I guess of not being caught), I’ve absolutely NEVER had a friend that was crazy enough to carry around a knife. Although I did have a crazy friend. We fought but not like *that*. Ours was more verbal or not verbal. We just stopped speaking to each other. Never had a gay friend that came on to me (THANK GOD! That also drugged and set me up. So all and all when I get down about my situation I can really be grateful that I didn’t have quite as much drama. Does my family frustrate me? ALL THE TIME but it was nothing like the drama Keysha had going on, but the best part was it all worked out in the end. And as my aunt reminded me recently there’s drama in all families.

Rating 7

[Shymier Hibbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keysha’s Drama is about a young girl who is 16 years old who is having a very hard life. She grew up with a troubled mom who doesn’t takes good care of her. Keysha learned how to deal with her mother all her life. There were times when her mother couldn’t feed her and Keysha still had found a way to eat. Her mother didn't buy her any clothes, school supplies or anything that she needed. Keysha had a friend close to her age who lived in her apartment building and she kept her Keysha motivated. Her name was Toya and her and Keysha done everything together. Toya didn’t have much either just as well as keysha. Toya was really the only person keysha had. They both looked out for each other so when they parents couldn’t afford for anything, Toya and Keysha made a way to steal some clothes and other things they needed that their parents couldn’t give. When keysha was living with her mom, she didn’t have anyone else there with her. Her mom was out all night at clubs and out with men. She never came home to see Keysha and to take care of her or spend any time with her. Keysha stayed up all night looking and waiting for her mom. Keysha then had founded out her mom was a prostitute and she was taken to jail. She stayed by herself for at least two days without knowing. Then later a social worker stopped by Keysha’s house to come and get her. Keysha was so confuse and didn’t know what was going on.The lady told keysha she was coming to get her because her mother is gone and keysha needs to go to a group home because she is under age. When the social came and got keysha, she took her to a group home with a lot of other girls. Keysha stayed their until the lady could find her real father. Keysha felt scared and she was missing her mother. The social worker search and search for her father and ended up getting in touch with him. Her father was one of her mother’s guy friend cousin. Keysha was glad to leave the group home but she also didn’t want to go because it felt weird to her. She met her father and stepmother and they took her home with them. She didn’t like her step mom cause she thought she would be jealous of her and her father’s relationship. She also had a stepbrother who was younger than her who she didn’t like as well. Keysha transferred to a new school near her father new home. Keysha met new friends that ended her up in a lot of trouble. One day, keysha’s new friend at her new school handed her a bag to put it her locker. The bag seemed to had drugs in them. Keysha got caught and ended up out of school. Keysha was trying to tell everyone that she didn’t put them drugs in her bag at school. Her father believed in her but at the end she was fought guilty. Her father paid for her jail prices because she was sent their because of the drugs. She is now back living with a father having a happier life than it was.

[Kylee Ariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like Keysha views should have been more developed and more nuanced on characters like Mike and Liz. Speaking of Liz is an awful friend not only does she discourage Keysha to pass her class she invited her out and then LEAVES HER ALONE. This is a bit of a prediction on my end but I'm pretty sure Liz drugged Keysha at the club that night then SA'd her. Not only that I'm 99% sure Liz planted the ecstasy in Keysha's locker. I like the development of Barbra she came around in the end to defend Keysha my only thing was the amount of resentment she held for Keysha in the beginning. Mike as a character confuses me I don't think he's a bad character just young and adjusting to having a sister. Also is Mike 13 or 1-2 years younger than Keysha it's not very clear.

[Sharlyn Burgos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been very surprising to me and it’s more like a very common book. I highly recommend this book and rate it a 5 star because it’s a life story about a teen who struggles with an un-fit mom at first and went through some trouble in a “foster care.” But then she ended up meeting her father for the first time which sort of changes her life. The reason I recommend this book is because the situation this book represents is what most teens nowadays are going through. Some of them should read this book so they can realize they aren’t the only ones going through it and others can understand. Everyone needs to realize at some points there is a better opportunity for each of us.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keysha’s Drama is a compelling story of a young 17 year old on the cuffs of adulthood, wanting more for herself then her mother Justine who became pregnant as a teen.

Keysha’s mother Justine lived a life of prostitution and whatever fun she could get into , not wanting to be a parent but to just live her live.

On the other hand Keysha Kendall has a minds view that maybe , just Maybe her father Is somewhere rooting to rescue her from her moms antics and lack of parental responsibility.

ESP Presents 5 stars

[Hannah McMurphy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only read this book because my students are always asking me for books like it. To find out this is the kind of book they like hurt my soul because it was awful. I understand that they like and relate to the drama of the characters but it is SO poorly written. This dialogue was some of the worst I have ever read. Taking any and all recommendations for books with similar themes to this one that are actually well-written!!

[Sakura Haruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

[Miranda]

interesting !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[J.Nikhauli Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book three times! Everyone in my family loves this book. An excellent read.

[Shayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earl Sewell’s purpose of writing his book, Keysha’s drama is to inform readers that no matter what family is always going to be there even when things get bad. Keysha’s drama gives hope and sympathy to the audience. It teaches us that no matter how much things get bad and you lose hope that things will get better if you want it to. Keysha’s drama is full of drama but it also teaches you the value of family. It leaves a lasting impression in the mind of the readers. The things that leaves a lasting impression on the readers are that to never give up no matter how bad things get and the family love.

Keysha’s drama is very well written. This book is easy to read, it still uses good vocabulary. I say it is because it keeps you into the book by all that’s going on and you wanting to know whats going to happen next. For example, in one part of the book the main character Keysha and her friend Toya who had a baby decided to go to the mall and steal a couple of things for their self’s and toyas baby. They always used to do this when they were younger but not since Toya had, had her baby. Keysha thought it was a bad idea to tag along the baby but Toya thought it would be a good distraction. So Keysha went along with it and it was going fine until Toya decided to stop and go to the foodcourt. Keysha goes to the bathroom while Toya’s sitting in the foodcourt. When Keysha is coming out of the bathroom she sees Toya arguing with the store cleck who has caught her stealing. Toyas screaming out to Keysha to come and help keysha just stands there in shock not knowing what to do and runs out the mall.

This book was captivating. I did not think that this book was boring at all. I thought this book was serious. I say this because there was a lot of family issues going on. Toya’s mother was on drugs. Her grandmother was locked up since she was a younger. Toya was placed into a group home she had no one to go to. Everyone that she cared for and usually went to was gone except for her father but she never knew him until he stepped up to take her in. I would also say that this book is funny because keysha’s drama with her ex-boyfriend and all the fighting that they do.

The greatest strength of this book is when there telling the main characters life. Where her mother isn’t coming home anymore because she staying out all night in the clubs and getting drunk. She stays home alone for days without seeing her mother not knowing if shes hurt or not but still gets up goes to school and takes care of herself. The greatest weakness of this story is when the main character Keysha starts to think about just letting herself go because he life is already a mess. She starts not to care anymore until the people that mean the most to her tell her how they feel.Yes, I would recommend this book to a friend. I would beacuse maybe i have a friend who is going to the same problem and needs inspriation on how to handle it. Its also is just a good book to read for future references. It also might have an affect on other readers like it had on me.

[LeAyshia Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book it goes into great detail and it always leaves you wondering what's going to happen next? I would definitely read this book all over again.

[Katrina Burchett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sixteen year old Keysha Kendall doesn't get much love from her mother, Justine (she calls her by her first name). Her friend, Toya Taylor isn't a good influence and her ex-boyfriend, Ronnie, doesn't want anything to do with her. More than anything she needs someone to care about her; someone to make her feel safe, loved and wanted. She finds that person when the father she never knew is located, but it takes her a while to realize it.

Keysha referred to herself as `troubled' and that was sad. I didn't see her that way at all. She was an intelligent girl who was angry and considering her circumstances she had every reason to be. She didn't have good judgment, though, when it came to picking her friends; she ended up in bad situations following after them. And it was a shame that she had a mother like Justine and a grandmother like Rubylee.

Don't judge a book by its cover - this is so true, yet I do it all of the time. With such an innocent looking girl on the cover of this book, I did not expect Keysha to use so much profanity. Actually, there is quite a bit of bad language in this story, not all of it coming from her mouth - words I can't stand to read or hear. I bought this book in support of Kimani Tru and because I took notice to five star reviews. I expected to enjoy the story. I can't say I totally disliked it; for me it was just okay. It was interesting in the beginning but I didn't like all of the profanity, especially coming from Keysha, and certain content turned me off . I did like Keysha's Grandmother Katie, a wise woman who gave her granddaughter good advice. And there are lessons to be learned about valuing oneself.

[Rhayna Kramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must say that though this book was a quick read and easy to follow, I must say that I was thoroughly disappointed with the book for its content and for its mechanics, or lack thereof.

Concerning content, there are a few critiques. Although this is an interesting story, it is not necessary a credible piece of literature. Although inner city youth is a growing awareness, I am tired of reading books about people with ghetto mentality. The author's perception of teenage girls and black women in general is not to his merit. I do not think that he can relate to teenage girls, especially since he is is an adult. He also gives black women a bad name. Keysha is always attacking someone and repeats the significance of a government check. He adds on to the stereotype of the idea of "crazy black women." It seems as if the author could not come up with names for the characters half of the time. For example, there is a Haitian girl named Africa, and a Chinese woman named Asia. I also think that some of the material is too mature and sensual for teens. I am a teen myself and felt that the club scene was a bit explicit and distasteful. And the fact that Keysha's stepmother flips her attitude toward Keysha so quickly is unrealistic. These tolerate, to civil, to caring relationships take time.

Also, even in the narration (not the dialogue), there were some errors in grammar that are unacceptable to me. For instance, using their instead of him or her is inappropriate in certain cases. So I give the book a 2 out of 5 stars.

[Imani Cooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Keysha is all alone, she doesn't really have anyone to turn to. Her mama isn't never there for her and she is a druggy she hangs late night at clubs so keysha is always on her own. keysha just got out of a relationship where her boyfriend was found cheating on her at the movies with some other girl and keysha was ready to beat him down. She has A "friend" who isnt really a good impact on keyshas's life. Her toya has a baby but shes never there for him, she always needs someone to watch him it gives keysha a bad look on being a parent. keysha soon moves with her dad in a big house and she has a stepbrother who is popular, she meets all of her brother friends and starts to hang out with that crowd. keysha said she will never forget where she comes from.

[AlexisR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keysha’s Drama by, Earl Sewell
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy realistic drama stories. When Keysha had a good life with her aunt it all ended terribly with one sad story. Back again she had to live with her troubled mother in a scary, troubled, and dangerous community. Keysha was an intelligent child who had no chance of getting anywhere in life because of her mother, but when she meets her biological father it all changes. One strength of this book is how Earl creates this realistic story many kids could relate too. This exciting story gave a different outlook on teenagers today and I hope it will help you too.

[Laura Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the new shcool year approaches Keysha must deal with the dissapearance of her mother (she has ended up in jail), which leaves Keysha with no place to live and no money. Things take a dramatic turn when Keysha discovers she has a father who is willing to take her in.

For the first time she has a room of her own and doesn't have to struggle getting what most of us take for granted -- food, clothes, school supplies. Her step-mother and step-brother aren't overly welcoming, but Keysha does have a chance to start again.

I'd actually give this a 3 1/2 is I could.

[Reynaldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it teaches me what this character goes through ad i cann relate to what she has gone through. I felt sad when i found out her mother was in jail and her mom was very irresponsible. I dont understand why keysha lived without a father figure. If keysha had a father, she wouldnt be treated so mean by her mother. I would say that everyone should have a fatherly figure, someone to look up on.

[Deja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned that family always sticks together. Keysha is a young girl living in the hood with her no good mother. So she is sent to live with her dad. She causes a bunch of trouble and thinks, Why does my dad's family get to have a perfect life when I've had such a tough one? And it all goes downhill from there.

[Hatalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this book..and it has left a feeling of me wanting more which is always good :D I look forward to reading the next one as soon as i get hold of it. What was also good was that there were some things which i could relate to, it was also funny and made me laugh out loud. So year, overall really kool :)

[Jazmine]

I love this book! As soon as i started reading this book i fell in love with it because it has drama and she is a poor girl in Chicago that had to steal to get the clothes she wanted and she had toi go and fight with her best friend because she didn't want to get caught with the things she did. I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!

[Leaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Think this book would be good for people who has problems at home because It tells and give you that image of how to deal with things that are currently happening to you in your life. In my words keysha's way of solving things were good in a way she dealt with things with an struggle but she pushed threw and got threw things.

[L.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keysha, who is raised in a poor and dysfunctional family suddenly finds her life changing dramatically when she goes to live with her upper-middleclass father who's just found out about Keysha's existence.

Keysha's Drama is an enjoyable read for teens.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very instrestinq i never knew wht quite would happen next it just made me wanna hurry up and qet to dha next book.dnt qhet meh wronq this book was so intrestinq and i finished this book in one day