Not So Pure And Simple

     I've got a real winner for the old summer reading list.  Lamar Giles' Not So Pure And Simple seamlessly combines a truly engaging,  relatable narrative with perceptive insight into sexism and misogyny.   

     Del has been crushing on Kiera since kindergarten when they were leads in their class play. Only he's never been able to act on it because of her suitors. Every time she breaks up with one she takes up with another before he can make a move. 

     When Kiera breaks up because of Colossus cheating with "some heifer named Angie " Del thinks that his chance has finally come. And he's looking for opportunity to knock. They go to the same fundamentalist church. One Sunday, waking up from daydreaming through the pastor's sermon, he sees other teens including Kiera approaching the alter and joins them.

     "In the early moments of service, before I zoned out, they'd talk about volunteering. Go read to old folks at the nursing home. Help scrub graffiti off the community center. Whatever it was, Kiera would be there."

     It's not until he's fully committed that he learns they're signed on for an eight week purity pledge class to become "ambassadors of God serving as positive influences for their peers and the community at large."

     Not exactly on brand for our boy, Del. But he's willing to do whatever it takes to win the beautiful Kiera over. Only it doesn't seem to be working. 

     A fellow classmate who is Kiera's next door neighbor offers to help him in his quest in exchange for getting answers to his and his friends' sex questions. You see the high school has a sex ed class called healthy living elective which includes "a thorough review of STD prevention and contraception" as opposed to Purity Pledge which offers "A thorough review of why Jesus wants me to abstain." You can guess which one most of the church kids aren't allowed to attend...

     ...Which does not seem to be all that effective since a lot of Del's classmates are having babies out of wedlock.

     Del considers himself one of the good guys as opposed to his church and society as a whole. But could instead be part of the problem?

On a purrrsonal note, yesterday three wonderful things happened. ✨️ First I was browsing the Orono Public Library sales shelves and found a book by one of my Katie's favorite authors. Now I have part of her Christmas 🎄 present. I shop basically year round to try to on a shoestring budget find my kids gifts 🎁 they'll love.

Second the librarians gave me a special volunteer pin. I am officially the volunteer who takes pictures for their social media. This is a first and mutually beneficial. They love the pictures and I love taking them.

Third I finally figured out how I can get in practice for my mountain climb. I know I'd slow my friends down. But I bet I can keep up with a family with little kids. I've already found one. I am so looking forward to that.

A great big shout out goes out to my Orono Public Library family and the children and parents participating in the children's garden. 

Jules Hathaway 

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