A Girl Named Mister

by Nikki Grimes

Mary Rudine, called Mister by almost everyone, has attended church and sung in the choir for as long as she can remember. But then she meets Trey. His long lashes and smooth words make her question everything, and one mistake leaves her hiding a growing secret.

Another Mary is excited about her upcoming wedding, and has done everything according to Jewish law. So when an angel appears and tells her-a virgin-she'll give birth, Mary can't help but feel confused, and soon finds herself struggling with the realities of God's blessing.

While feeling abandoned, Mister is drawn to Mary's story, and through reading begins to understand the future laid before her.

"This novel in poetry looks clearly at both teen pregnancy and struggles with faith. Mister is exceptionally well characterized ... The language is intimate and immediate." -Kirkus Reviews

• ISBN10: 0310723132
• ISBN13: 9780310723134
• Publish Date: 27 August 2011 (first published 24 August 2010)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 17 February 2017
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• Imprint: Zondervan
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 240
• Language: English

Reviews

[readingwithwrin]

“Punishment”What else would you call it?I know girls who have sex every dayand walk away.Me, I break God’s law once,and look what it gets me."

See reviews first on my blog


Mary Rudine is one of those characters that is very realistic with how society treats certain things and how relationships can work at a young age. She ended up falling for this guy who really seemed to care for her, but sadly things went wrong and he showed his true colors a little to late. Leaving her not only heartbroken and scared, but also having to deal with something on her own that she never thought she would have to worry about. She was always told abstinence by her mother and the church she went to. So when she did end up breaking that abstinence she didn't know who to tell. I really felt for her in those moments, because sadly it is the fate of so many other young women. She is struggling with her faith as well during this time and had been before as well, and this made her even more unsure, until she started reading a book that was also her mothers favorite. This book helps bring her a little bit of peace and comfort in a time where she is going to have to make some very difficult choice on her own.
One other thing I liked about this story was also how her bestfriend stuck by her side through it all instead of just shaming her or making her feel guilty all the time. She treated her just like she always had and I kind of think as well this brought them closer together.
For me I found this book a little confusing at times, on rather it was talking about Mary Rudine or Mary the mother of Jesus. Also I felt like the verse just didn't go together the best at certain points (mainly when it was switching characters), but having said that I'm not sure how it could have been done any other way and make the story what it was.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.