Teenreads.com -- DRAMA HIGH: The Fight by L. Divine

DRAMA HIGH: The Fight
L. Divine
Dafina Books
Fiction
ISBN: 0758216335
202 pages

• Discussion Questions

Brimming with the same spirited sense of style and magic as Disney's That's So Raven, Drama High introduces a fun, brazen new series featuring a young sistah who's learning that life in the 'hood is nothing compared to life in high school...

Proudly hailing from Compton, USA, sixteen-year-old Jayd Jackson is no stranger to drive-by shootings or run-ins with the friendly neighborhood crackhead. Street-smart, book-smart, and life-smart, she's nobody's fool --- least of all KJ's, the most popular and cutest basketball jock at South Bay High, aka Drama High. Yes, it's a fact, Jayd fell hard for his player ways for a time, but now that KJ's shown his true colors --- dumping Jayd because she refused to give up the cookies --- she's through with him and his game playing for good.

Jayd just wants to start her Junior year of high school drama free. But wanting ain't getting, especially at a place like Drama High, a predominately white high school in a wealthy part of Los Angeles, where Jayd and 30 other Compton kids get bussed to daily. Saying race relations aren't what they should be would be putting it mildly, and that's just the beginning of the drama. Jayd's first day back to school, KJ's new girlfriend, Trecee, steps to her wanting to fight. Egged on by Misty, Jayd's former best friend-turned-nemesis, Trecee wants to make Jayd understand that KJ is off limits --- even if she has to do it with her fists. With the fight set for Friday, and the sistah drama at an all time high, Jayd is about to learn who's really got her back and more importantly, when she's got to watch it. But at least she can always count on Mama, and her mystical bag of tricks.

Drama High is a remarkably assured debut, and L. Divine is a tantalizing and refreshing new voice. Jayd and her bold, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny assessment of life, along with her quirky cast of friends, classmates, loves, her magical family and eccentric neighbors make for an irresistible, can't-put-it-down read.

L. Divine holds a Masters in African American Studies and Educational Psychology from UCLA. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her daughter and son.

1. In what ways is Jayd a typical teenager? In what ways is she different? Do her life experiences in any way mirror anything that's happened in your life or someone you know?

2. Why did Trecee want to fight Jayd? Was she right to challenge Jayd? How would you have handled the situation in Jayd's place?

3. Do you know a girl at your school or in your neighborhood that reminds you of Trecee? What makes someone like Trecee behave the way she does?

4. What role did KJ play in the drama between Trecee and Jayd? Does he bear any responsibility for Trecee's behavior?

5. Do you know a boy at school or in your neighborhood that reminds you of KJ? What makes someone like KJ behave the way he does?

6. Were Jayd's friends Mickey and Nellie helpful to her as she tried to think her way out of the fight? What advice would you have given to Jayd?

7. Jayd says every girl has another girl who hates on her? For Jayd, that girl is Misty. Is there a Misty in your life? Are you a Misty? How do you handle the Mistys of the world?

8. Who are your friends more like: Mickey, Nellie, or Misty?

9. What are the differences between Mickey, Nellie, and Misty? What traits do each have that benefit Jayd? What traits do each have that are a disadvantage?

10. Nellie is slightly more well-off than Jayd and Mickey. How does this affect the trio's friendship? Can money come between friends? When can this happen?

11. Which character are you most like?

12. Like a lot of teens, Jayd is being raised by her grandmother Mama. But Jayd's grandmother isn't like the typical grandmother. She carries on the mystical traditions of African-American culture. This is a big part of Jayd's life and upbringing. How does this help and hinder Jayd? How similar are Jayd's family traditions to yours?

13. Jayd attends and all-White school. Would you attend a school that was predominately attended by one race over another? Would you attend a school that was predominately attended by a race different than your own? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

14. What kind of school do you attend? Is it anything like Drama High? Would you like to go to a school like Drama High?

15. What sort of drama can go on any given day at your school? Do you tend to avoid the drama or are you responsible for starting the drama? Are there any circumstances under which drama can be a good thing?