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Toxic masculinity is not talked about enough, and Lamar Giles shines in speaking to this and other issues in this book.

He’s a nice guy who is complicated and flawed, and I loved every minute of his story. And though Del is all about Kiera, his actions never once consider her feelings, or what she might want.ĭel’s not all troublemaker, nor all squeaky clean. Del might be acting with the best intentions, but his friends are giving him the side eye, and even his dad is worried about what this pledge means for his manhood. Like the tv show Sex Education, this book is an excellent portrayal of a male protagonist dealing with the complications of sex. Even if that means taking a Purity Pledge. Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help. Which means he’s ready to do anything (however unconventional) to get the girl he wants. If that doesnt work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see whats preventing the page from loading. But he’s never had a shot until now-it’s their junior year and she just broke up with her boyfriend.

The novel follows Del, who has had a childhood crush on Kiera Westing since literally forever. But in Not So Pure and Simple we see just that: a complex portrait of a lovably imperfect boy struggling with his identity in many forms. There can never be a Black teenage boy that falls somewhere in the middle. So much of what is fed to the masses is that Black boys are troublemakers, or that there are only two types of kids: one that is a problem child and another that is squeaky clean. But as he plots and plans, he neglects to ask the most important question: What does Kiera want? He can’t think about that too much, though, because once get the girl, it’ll all sort itself out.One of the things I’m loving about YA right now is that we’re seeing more and more stories being told by Black male writers about Black boys. With other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del needs to make his move fast. In exchange, Del just has to get answers to the Pledgers’ questions.about sex ed. But Del’s not about to lose his dream girl, and that’s where fellow pledger Jameer comes in. His dad thinks his wires are crossed, and his best friend, Qwan, doesn’t believe any girl is worth the long game. Though he quickly realizes he’s inadvertently signed up for a Purity Pledge.

So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del’s right behind her.

And now, during their junior year, she’s finally available. In his first contemporary teen novel, critically acclaimed author and two-time Edgar Award finalist Lamar Giles spotlights the consequences of societal pressure, confronts toxic masculinity, and explores the complexity of what it means to be a "real man".ĭel has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten.