First Semester

by Cecil R. Cross II

James "JD" Dawson grew up in the hood, but left a life of violence three thousand miles behind to make something of himself at University of Atlanta. But when the freshman got off to a fool's start—kicking it with his new homeboys, showing up late to class, not studying and checking out the shorties—JD was assigned a tutor, the luscious Katrina Turner. She made studying real fun. But if JD wanted to get with a girl like Katrina, he'd also have to learn to grow up.

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Reynaldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it deals with real problems in life and that is my first impression of ''First Semester''. The characters are cool but out of the whole book, The main character J.D deals with death with some of his home boys. First it was T-spoon now its Stretch. The characters in this book all play a role as J.D's friends. This books starts off with J.d wanting to go to college until one day he has been accepted to Atlanta University. He has a good time there but he left one of his homeboy Todd behind meanwhile hes in another college. When he gets settled into college there were alot of girls there and i knew that he may be distracted because because there are lot of fine women on ATL campus. He ran into this girl that was now his tutor and things started to happen from there.The entire book is based on his college life and how he made it . Also i have learned how someone can go from struggle to sucess.

[Liberty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best worst book ever.
My favorite quotes being, “She looks like she could have been smuggling Osama Bin Laden under that booty” and “I grabbed a box from the trunk and looked at him like he was R.Kelly at an 8th grade winter ball.”

Just a horrible book. I will not be picking random books off of free book carts ever again.

[Asia Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

first semster is a great book.It started off a slow but i kept my focus because i knew it was going to get good. but while im readind this book i keep thinking why does the author switch back and forth with so many chareceters. That made it hard on me to keep track of the book. i kind of decreased on my focus level but i kept track on the main events. As i was reading this book ive came to notice that i can relate to the book even though the boy was the main charcter. because the boy acts like my boyfriend and i some what had the personality of his girlfriend. its funny how you can relate to things in diffrent prospectives.
(page.24)"ive been on the phone with keshia for over an hour, but i was getting nowhere fast."

Even this book started off a tad bit slow. it eventually got to the point. i can say this book is a good book for African american males and females, entering an HBCU (HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGE UNIVERSITY).because back eas and down south can get crazy because, so many males are on the D.L and so many women dont use protection. so the leads to the #ONE death leading virus "aids & hiv positive." and in this book its talkin about alot of it. (page227)" it was warm in kats room bt her hand was ice cold. it wasnt the same hand i dreamed about while walking through the mall. her hand felt the same way as my grndmas before she died of cancer. i felt hopelessness that preceded death."

kats in a group at her college where the promoted hiv and aids. this group was committed and she made sure she didnt catch knowing its the leading virus at her school. her boyfriend is star football player but she gets caught up playing two roles by falling for a freshmen name J.D. something she thought she would never do.
Kat had everthing going for her self.she turned heads on campus, she was a teachers pet,and her parents expected good grades.(PAGE145.)"still everything about herwas sexy from her fragrant Victoria secret perfume to her coke bottle shape."


i wonder why the authors in these books, make it seem like every chareceter is out of the ordinary and so pretty,and perfect. when some girls read this book to me makes it seem like this, is what the are going to be competing with in when they step out into a college campus.
but hey some girls maybe pretty. but my point is this book is relating to the real world and stero types pretty well. but also true at the same time.(page 156) "ima starter baby."

this book first semester can bring you some twist and turns. and the juices will spil at the end. this book was good. i wouldnt say its bad. it has some life lessons you can learn from it . and som historical food for thought. if you read this book you wil be amazed with the things the author had came up with. read it your self to get some oooos and ahhs !

[Kyky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the book, "First Semester" was based on the first semester of a young guy from the hood in Oakland, it seems like it was much longer. Cross really grabbed the reader from the beginning of the book. With the book being written in first person, we really get to know and learn about the protagonist James Dawson. Like I stated earlier, he's a young guy who just graduated high school and got tired of the hood in Oakland so he decided to leave the hood behind and go make something of his life. His new life would begin at the University of Atlanta. While at school we, the readers, get to walk through his not so adjusted life as a college student which is nothing less then enthralling.
Cross wants to take the readers on a journey of a boy who goes from nothing to something. The book is inspiring to many people, even myself. A line from the book says, "All progress requires change, but not all change is progress." The quote can apply to a number of things in the book and it also makes you think. The book is entertaining and gives your brain a run for its money. I also enjoyed his use of different slang. I have always been a person to love and respect the real and naturalness of a person. Cross exemplifies that by giving each character a different form of slang. J.D. always refers to his friends as "Blood", while his friend from Atlanta calls friends "Shawty", while his friend from Chi-Town refers to people as "Joe". The book is eye opening to a myriad of things, and it is a great book to read if you want to explore something out of the norm.

[Lucson Saty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is really great. In this moment, I consider this book as my favorive book. Many Advice about life in college. What could happen

[Tiffany Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Semester
J.D is hanging out with his boys at a graduation party. They’re discussing their plans. T-Spoon is just happy to have his GED. He wants to continue his life in Oaktown hustling (selling and smoking). J.D wants to get out of LA and go to college. Todd is the one that everyone expects to make it out and he *has* gotten accepted to an HBUC. T Spoon makes JD promise that if he gets into college to actually make it through. That night T-Spoon gets shot at the party and dies in J.D’s arms. J.D finally gets the acceptance letter he’s been waiting for to Atlanta University. Keisha (his girlfriend) breaks up with J.D days before he leaves because she knows what’s up and doesn’t want to get cheated on.

There are a lot of hot females at AU. One catches his eye at registration that says she’ll be his orientation guide. He also meets a white guy (that acts black) Dub-B . They’ll both be on the same floor in Marshall Hall. JD moves into the dorm and meets his super religious roommate Timothy. He also meets his neighbor Lawry (whose cool but who has halitosis). Weirdly Lawry back is all scarred up. He claims got in a fight and got cracked across the back with a bottle. JD also meets Fat’s-a “student” whose been there for 7 years who gives the campus tour and gives them all the 411 on AU campus life- and he introduces him to “Fresh”(whose a pimp).

They get in trouble with Varnelius (who’s over the dorm) being late for their meeting and because of this he cancels all the guys visitation from females. The RA (Lester) is a little more cool (but on the feminine side). He runs through the rules with indifference and then tells them about a big party the following night that all the (faux) HBCU’s will be attending. Fresh is already trying to sneak in a girl (Alexis).

At the party, he spots his girl (she’s a fake AKA) with the rest of her sorra’s. But her attention is on the campus football star “Downtown D” just like every other girl. J.D finds out the girl’s name is Katrina Turner, and she’s the assistant of one of his professors (Dr.J). She invites the class to visit her sorority’s booth and pick up their gift bags. They’ll be celebrating safe sex week. Dr. J assigns a paper on Thurgood Marshall and J.D puts it off. At the last moment, he tries to Goggle some stuff and copy and paste, but when he tries to BS his way through three facts about Thurgood Marshall and his dorm, Dr.J calls im out on it. Then he gives the call a quiz on the school’s anthem. Dr. J gives J.D another chance because he can relate to his situation. He was once in his shoes. But he gives him a lecture about getting his shit together before he blows it. He tells him that if he gets himself a tutor he’ll drop the quiz grade (which J.D left blank).

JD’s tutor turns out to be Kat and they discuss what inspired her to do the safe sex program. Her uncle died of AIDS. JD is introduced to another guy in the dorm (Stretch) who has the hook up from everything to alcohol to quiz answers. Stretch is an alcoholic whose known to carry around a black water bottle to class. Since they don’t have any money to get into a study party, they all sit around and bond over what brought them to UA. JD buys the answers to a biology quiz off Stretch (it’s his worse subjet). Later on Dub shows up with the girl Lawry wanted to claim in the beginning of the book (Jasmine). He's already gotten into it with Dub (who he calls Wonder Bread) about pretending to be something he’s not.

He’s a little salty that Dub B got the best of him in the argument. Things start to break up when their RA shows up (with a gay guy) and then leaves shortly after (it’s after 2 am) and then Lawry leaves (earlier they notice his eye looks black). Then Timothy leaves (without his bible). JD has seen Timothy and Lawry in the library (the same day he meet with Katrina) dressed up but they said it was for a class they were taking (and tried to hide their notes from view). JD even has noticed Timothy falling asleep in class. Before he can think about it to much tho, he notices Katrina called and left a message. The message says she’s trying to get together to study. So he goes over to her dorm and she invites him to her room. JD finds out that Kat use to date Downtown D but somehow he pushed her to her limit. They bond some more and end up having sex. Only JD forgot to bring a condom and he accidently ejaculated inside her. Kat says she’s on the pill. JD says he doesn’t have anything. Despite this they decide to go another round.

With the help of Katrina, JD passs his mid-term. He also scores big with her the second time around in the bedroom.. Timothy comes to JD’s rescue when his Biology teacher trips over his bag and finds the cheat sheet he was going to use. Timothy says it was his and the Professor gives him a zero and kicks him out. Later when JD asks why he did it he says because he's his roommate and that’s what brother’s do for each other..

On Homecoming, Lawry plays a shitty joke on Dub. JD discovers Tim in Lawry’s room with a bunch of dress shirts and pants. At the game, JD finds Kat a little to excited about D’s win. Fresh’s main lady and side chick get into it and find out about each other as they all get ready to go to the coronation. Lawry has to make a few mystery stops to drop off the clothes. On the third stop, Timothy goes in to help Lawry but doesn’t come back out. Lawry looks spooked and tells Fresh and JD to take his car and go without him to the cornation. There’s a break JD and Katrina have more sex. After break the guys find out in class that Stretch died apparently from driving while under the influence. The campus have a candlelight vigil in his honor. JD asks Kat why she choose him. She could have anyone.

She says it’s the fact that he makes her feel important and his confidence. But On J.D’s 19th birthday, he’s about to go out to a club to celebrate with Fresh and Fats, when he sees Katrina hugged up in front of his fav restaurant with D. Immediately JD is ready to go home. Fresh goes to find Fats, but they get caught up in partying and miss the last shuttle. So they have a long walk back. Then they all get stripped and robbed. Katrina calls later apologizing and making excuses. She says she was helping her grandmother. His mom calls and because he’s exhausted and angry he goes off on his mother (mistaking to flip the calls). He ends up hanging up with Kat and telling his mom everything. She advises him to go to the police. A call comes in for Timothy and he jumps up to meet “his first cousin”. Before he leaves he notices JD’s face and says he must be on line too. JD doesn’t even pick up on this

JD passes his final (without Kat). He’s going out of his way to avoid her. But she keeps blowing up his phone and says it’s an emergency. Again there are signs Timothy’s pledging. He begs Dr. J can he stand up and take the test. Etc. JD still just thinks it’s something wrong with him. No I think it’s something wrong with JD. Fresh invites JD to a probate for Alpha and he’s surprised to see Timothy doing his thing. He learns that Lawry had to drop because his Dad is an Omega and said he’d disown him if he crossed. JD sees Kat and D having an argument. He refuses to hear her and she storms off.

JD goes to see Kat thinking she’s pregnant. But she has HIV (which means he might have it to). She says he hurt him, but he tells her she hurt him too and tells him he knows about her and D. She apologizes but he’s not trying to hear it any longer. When he tries to leave, she grabs him, but he pushes her on the forehead backwards. Kat’s roommate (Jessica) tries to help her but she screams for them all to get out. JD’s conscious makes him back , but when he does he sees Kat has a gun aimed in her mouth. Luckily he’s able to talk her down by telling her she’s strong and can fight this and she gives him the gun. In the end, JD passes his test but in the middle of it he hears Kat cough and his axiety makes him rush to the bathroom. Back home, Todd takes him to the clinic and after a week he finds out that while he’s not positive he does have PTSD. Downtown D gets HIV and won’t be going into the NFL (this is announced on ESPN)

My Thoughts:
This was very accurate in paiting a picture of college life in the freshman year of a male. I can almost close my eyes and see it like it was yesterday (even though I’m not a male). I did date a guy on my campus and I *was* inside his dorm. They really are shitty. What’s up with that? And I also can remember him rushing in my room after he tried to pledge and got hazed. (Although just like JD) it just really didn’t click at the time. JD though was SO SLOW I kept thinking because REALLY? Even though he’s from Oakland I KNOW he’s heard of pledging. He might not have been to a probate show but COME ON.. ALL the signs were staring him DEAD in the face his roommate and friend were pledging and the whole book he’s like Timothy is so weird. Why do the keep rushing out to late night study sessions. REALLY!? Timothy een says “Are you online too?” And JD is like “On line too?” How THICK can you be? I also remember the parties and the step shows. So it really does paint a excellent picture! The only thing that didn’t ring true at my school is the scantily dressed females. I don’t know if I can believe on *ANY* campus they left females walk around in damn near nothing but painties.

At first I found this a little hard to get into. There were A LOT of characters and a thin plot centered on college males doing what college males do a lot of drinking, a lot of smoking, a lot of playing, some studying. JD didn’t have much substance. He just kept doing the same things over (being late, screwing over his classwork). And what was worse he acted like he was entitled for some reason for what reason I don’t know. Like when he thinks the Biology Professor *should* have let him take the test when *he* was the one late. Fresh wasn’t *that* impressive and I had to read it a couple of times thinking did this boy really say he was a pimp. I’ve known men who probably have *thought* they were pimps.

I’ve never.. Well scratch that I was gonna say I never dated a guy that actually DRESSED like a pimp with a feather hat, but that would be a lie. Because the last ex I dated there was a picture on FB that a girlfriend showed me and if he didn’t look like the biggest PIMP you ever saw! But the “player” got PLAYED. Then had the nerve to be upset at the end of the book. “Man I think she ain’t coming back!” These men be KILLING me with that BS. Stretch wasn’t even in the story long enough to make an impression other than being an alcoholic and the hook up man. Lawry I just felt sorry for because they couldn’t even be honest with that man and say “Dude uh don’t take this the wrong way but you might wanna pop a Certs.” And then it was just 1 messed up that all that hazing is even a *thing* in the first damn place and I don’t see beating someone’s ass in the name of “brotherhood” a reason just to kick some letters and 2) that he *did go through all that and his father was STUPID enough to try to disown him for pledging another frat.

I guess I would have been disowned a long time ago. Cause I tried to pledge something that wasn’t what my mother pledged and today if I were opposite colors my father still tries to bring it up like “Oh your mother won’t like that.” (My mother ain’t studding that). It’s all just RIDICULOUS to me! Dub B I didn’t have any thoughts on period. And I wasn’t really that crazy about Kat. I felt bad that she got HIV from D and his skanks and of course, I don’t agree with J.D pushing her hard enough to kill her at the end. But other than that, Kat would be DEAD to me. (No pun intended). Why is that when people cheat on you and do you dirty and not give a DAMN about what they did to you, when it all falls to shit with THEM, then they remember and you to be there for them? I do like that JD was the bigger person “IN THE MOMENT”. I also like Todd for what he said about not blaming her (and it really wasn’t her fault for possibly infecting him). But it WAS her fault for CHEATING! But I was NOT expecting her to try to blow her own brains out. That was disturbing and a little shockin.
Bottom line is, you just can NOT screw around with someone you *JUST* meet like that. You can find your self pregnant or with HIV or killed or raped and that’s really a good lesson to take with you when you first go to college. Luckily I made it out but it could have been a lot worse. I think we all tend to be a little bit careless when we first come into this whole new environment with no parental surpervision.
Rating: 7

[Reka Beezy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everybody in this book was immature as hell. I wouldn't want to know any of these people in real life. The college theme of the book gave me nostalgia, though.

[Vickie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It a good book but they need to add more it

[Sheneka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I noticed how the author made the setting of the book to be realistic. I liked this book because the story of the book was very interesting and what happened was something that people in the world really went through. The main character of the book is the dude named James Dawson, they call him J.D in the book. He was basically tired of the life he was living in the hood and loosing his closest friends to street violence. This made him want to go off to college and he then realized that that was a better life then before, and this made him start his first semester the wrong way because he was focusing on his work less. He just wanted to have fun. Then he met the girl that he thought was the right one, until something happened that made him see that he didnt know her as much as he thought he did.Id say the theme of this book is to never make decisions unless you think about the consequences that may follow. I look foward to reading the Next Semester.

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is great to see that books can teach you about these kind of struggles in life. When I started to read First Semester, it took me awhile to adjust to it. Overtime it got more and more interesting. The drama started to build and get interesting. Knowing the town that JD came from, going to college was deemed impossible for him but he made it through high school and he got accepted in the college. Going to college has definitely made his future better. JD would finally get the opportunity to get away from all the danger and enhance his education.

What happened in Atlanta really surprised me. There was so many drama coming up from places that I couldn't keep track of it all. When JD found out that Kat had HIV was definitely one of the scariest parts of the book. I thought JD would have caught it too but thankfully he didn't. This has thought others to be more careful and responsible. It teaches them that they have to have a balance between the things they do.

[Amari Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am now reading the book First Semester by Cecil Cross II. I am the second chapter. So far this book is like so great. I love this book so far. Now i think that Cecil Cross II is such a good author . He is very descriptive.When i read his books the strategy that i use the most is Envisioning in HD.i can just see every line that he writes in my mind.in the next chapter that i am going to read i predict that J.D. is going to do not as well as he potientially could do. He know that his mother does highly disapprove of him not being the intelligent young man that he can be. Also there are many social issues in this book. in one chapter that i have read previously J.D. went with a girl that was pregnant. I have to get back to reading now but, on June 20th so i can update you.

[Tamya Roye · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a very interesting book. Its relates to many African America teens and people just heading off to college. James Dawson grew up in the ghetto of California. He wants to make his way of the hood and make something of himself. He tries so hard just to make it out of the hood so he can become something and have a good job. He decides that he is going to apply to colleges that are not tin the area that he lives in. he does not want to go down the wrong path so he promises his parents and his friends that no matter what, he will try his hardest to get through his four years of college. While he gets there he gets distracted by all the girls and he does not realize that he needs to adjust his life because he is not in high school anymore.

[Jameeka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently just finished this book and the plot was basically like a highschool drama in a college setting there is like a guy who moves from Oakland,CA to Atanta to go to a university there and he is trying to get focused and continue higher education but he is hanging out with the same no good party all day sleep around crew they aren't the same people friom high school but they might as well be. So basically like mid way through the book the main character has a relevation about his "new college life" once he finds out that the girl he is sleeping with has HIV and decides to change his ways and realizes he is moving too fast.

[Trill_marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was totally awesome!! It was the type of book that let's you be aware of what college life will be like. All the tempatations and problems you will face. It was different from mostg other books I read because I can relate to because he lost people very close to him but it made him want to do better in order to get out of the hood. Also right before his friend died he promised him that he would complete college and give them a better name.I wondered what would happen next several times in the book. The author suprised me at the end because it wasn't how I expected the book to end and it made me what to read more. I can't wait to read the next book!!! :)

[she_ill_22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start. I must say I opened and closed this book (via my Kindle app lol) down about three or four times. But, something made me stick with it and was I ever surprised at how good of a story it was! The title pretty much sums up the plot. What I enjoyed most is hearing things from a male's point of view. JD really learns a lot about himself in his first semester of college and has no choice but to grow up. Sometimes, all that glitters ain't gold; practicing safe sex is key and this point bangs the reader upside the head. I love the male bonding that takes place as well as the example of a male professor serving as a role models/advisor to male students. Good read.

[Bluford Teens']

James "JD" Dawson grew upin the hood, but left a life of violence three thousand miles behind to ake something of himself at Universtiy of Atlanta. But when the freshman got off to a fool's start--kicking it withhis new homeboys, showing up late to class, not studying and checking out the chorties-- JD was assigned a tutor, the luscious Katrina Turner. She made studying real fun. But if JD wanted to get with a girl like Katrina, he'd also have to learn to grow up.

[PeOplE and ThInGS change ova time....and that's wh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"First Semester" was a book about a boy name James Dawson that tried to get out the harsh realities that he was living in in California. Through all his hard work he eventually got accepted to the University of Atlanta. Things were going well until he got on academic probation. Everyday he continue to ahve thought about his ex-girlfriend. Because of his bad grades he was assigned a tutor by the name Katrina Turner. He swore that he was going to make "dreams" happen between them.

[Latiece Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was the best because of the way that he went from ghetto to total success. He really thought that college was going to be all fun and games,but really after he went through alot of tests,girl friend trouble,and had a few kind and inspiring words of his profeser he realized that you only get this chance once in a life time and that when you get the chance you have to charise it to the fullest.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was kind of good. It's about a guy name James he came from a dangerious and violence neiborhood, he finally got excepted into college in Atlanta, he's struggling in college from old study habit's. Now since he got excepted to college he has to change his old ways alone until he finds this girl and she actually helps him through it all. Later at the end James finds out that the girl didnt turn out the way he thought she was. Now he's on his own.

[Quevon Orisme · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read this book I thought that this book wasn't going to be as good as I thought.I think that this book shows how being in college actually is. I also like this book because of the fact that it disscusses the issues of what young males go through when they get into college as well. Additionally,this novel focuses on the terms of being responsible for yourself and your actions when you go to college as well.

[Porsha Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book based on the AUC, a nice leisure reading, including awareness for young black students in college who are pursuing other things besides education. (ie. women) Very distinguished from urban fiction that I have read and encourages empowerment for young black males to understand that, despite your struggle or lifestyle, education is always possible if you put your mind to it.

[Prela Nunez]

I like thisee book because its talking about a boy that he is graduating frome hige school and he is going to the university of atlanta and hes girflend breaks up whit hem and he is sad because he is going to have a baby whit her. He fainaly got to atlanta and he is going to register and he is going to bigin the university.

[Jolimar Morales]

my book is about a guy that just graduated high school. he lives in california and grew up in the hood. now he wants to move away from cali, and wants to go to a college out of california. he thinks there are more things out there for him. about two weeks ago his friend was shot and this has change his perspective of the world hes been living in.

[Savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this book when I was little and thankfully I remembered none of the plot! The only thing I remembered was JD asking someone how much they got on a test and then him realizing that’s only a thing people who did good on a test ask. Even then, I thought that was from a different book. I thought the writing would be juvenile now that im older but it wasn’t

[I ♥ AERO-_-..WENDY™ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was ghud... it was bascially about a boy who finally reaches his way too college and he gets tourting from a one of the most prettiest girls and he ends upp getting with her.....sooo this book is very interesting

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Cross really captured the feeling of missing your potential and slowly coming around to want to fulfill it--from the person of potential's point of view--without being didactic about it.

And from a slang-lover's perspective, it's a gold mine.

[Rayzin · Rating 5 out of 5]

With him going to college and happy that he finally got excepted into one he has to learn that responsibility is taken on as you grow. He gets off to a bad start and then needs a tutor. But with the fine Katrina being his he has to learn how to grow up fast if he wants to be with a girl like that.

[Tynisha Thompkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK!!! A great book for an upcoming or current college student. Though I'm a recent graduate from college, I still found this book to really hit on some highly important issues of today (especially amongst the black community). Reading it brought back so many great "freshman" memories.

[Bless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I am just completely speechless about this book! At the end this book made me smile like never before. This book can explain itself by it's very own words. It's so intriguing. At the end J.D is and will always be victorious

[Daniel Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book.

Daniel