The Pledge

by Chandra Sparks Splond

Book Overview

Raised in a strict household, sixteen-year-old Courtland Murphy never had a date. But that was before the guy of her every dream--basketball star Allen Benson--asked her out. She's gone from never-been-kissed to dating the hottest guy in school. And now her new boyfriend is pressuring her to prove she loves him--by having sex. But as a member of her community's Worth-the-Wait club, Courtland made a vow to stay a virgin. Now everyone--from friends...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 037383098X
• ISBN13: 9780373830985
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Kimani Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

This book was awesome.

I really liked this book. The chapters were not all that long. It was cool how she was the cheer leader capton and he was the basketball capton. But I did not like how he hit her! Other than that it was a good book. If you are into teenage romance or anything like this book it would be a great book for you!

(4.5 Stars) Moment Of Impact

Sixteen year old Courtland Murphy is the co-captain of the cheerleaders and is looking forward to her junior year of high school. A few years ago, she didn't have what it took to turn heads, but now she's topping all of the right charts. Allen Benson, high school basketball sensation and cutie, is all over her. Although her parents have made it clear that she can't date until she is 17, she and Allen become study partners. A proud member of Worth the Wait, a club that made a pact to remain virgins until marriage, Courtland realizes that it was so much easier to ebb those thoughts while she was single. Unfortunately, now she's been kissed, teased and tempted. Will her love for Allen outweigh the promise she made to herself? The Pledge is a prevailing teen novel that doles out priceless lessons on belief, esteem, reputations, mistreatment, alcoholism and sex. As a parent, I was so extremely pleased that author Chandra Sparks Taylor tackled virginity and how widespread HIV is, especially amongst young women in the African American community. The Pledge is undeniably a book worthy of recommendations. Reviewed by Nardsbaby for Urban Reviews

Confused and in Love

Courtland Murphy had a few things to celebrate; the most important things are she can still wear her purity necklace and she is dating basketball star, Allen Benson. Courtland is a member of Worth-the-Wait; a club encouraging young people to practice abstinence until they are married. She made a pledge to herself, but dating Allen caused her to reconsider her vow. The Pledge by Chandra Sparks Taylor delves into the life of a seventeen year-old young lady trying to be like every other ordinary teenager while still staying true to herself. Peer pressure was difficult enough without feeling the pressure from the most gorgeous guy in the school. Courtland wanted to keep Allen as her boyfriend, doing anything he told her to do. There was a side to Allen that always had Courtland battling conflicting thoughts. Would Courtland finally give into Allen or would he agree Courtland was worth the wait? The Pledge had valuable lessons teenagers should know. We, as parents often times focus on abstinence, forgetting about the other things which can possibly be harmful to them and others. If explaining to your child the reason behind the importance of loving their self first before anyone else is difficult, Ms. Taylor provides a way. I recommend The Pledge to parents and teenagers. There is a lesson to be learned. Jennifer Coissiere APOOO BookClub