She Said, She Said

by Celeste O. Norfleet

Can you ground your mother? On the last day of school, Tamika's boyfriend dumps her, her best friend moves away and she's forced to go on a lame mother-daughter trip to her grandmother's house. She can barely handle one minute with her controlling, critical mom. But when they arrive, her life gets even worse! Her mother is suddenly acting like she's trying out for Moms Gone Wild, partying with her old high school crowd. Now Tamika's the responsible one: taking care of business and stuck on a nice guy instead of a player. She wouldn't mind a little bit of her old mom back. Wait a minute, did she really say that?

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

National best-selling author, Celeste O. Norfleet, was a late bloomer to romance. But as soon as she picked up her first romance novel, she was hooked. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Celeste is a graduate of Moore College of Art & Design. An art director and graphic designer for many years, Celeste now devotes all of her time to writing and creating romance letting her artistic imagination flow through the computer keys. Her romance novels, realistic with a touch of humor, depict strong sexy characters with unpredictable plots and exciting storylines. Her young adult novels delve into dramatic fiction, reflecting current issues facing African-American teens. Celeste currently writes for Harlequin's Kimani Press Arabesque, Kimani Romance and Kimani Press TRU (young adult) lines. Celeste lives in Virginia with her husband and two teenagers.

Reviews

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Role Reversal

For mother and daughter Laura and Tamika Fraser, understanding and communicating are difficult, to say the least. Laura says one thing, Tamika hears another. Tamika believes her mother lives in a perfect world - being an adult, with money and the ability to make decisions. Unfortunately for Laura, it doesn't feel that way. Unemployed and concerned about her marriage, she's looking for ways to reinvent and improve herself.

When plans Tamika made for the summer go awry, she's forced to follow her mom to Fraser, Georgia, to help pack up the family home, the house that has been in the family for more than 100 years and holds more than sentimental value. What Tamika discovers inside opens her eyes. However, Laura's eyes also open, to a crush that has been more than 30 years in the making.

SHE SAID, SHE SAID written by mother and daughter Celeste & Jennifer Norfleet details the difficulties mothers and daughters are often faced with, especially during the teen years. I enjoyed the way the story reversed roles, how the mom and daughter were able to see themselves and how it helped their relationship. Also, the history that was shared about the Fraser family in Fraser, Georgia, was interesting. I think this is a great book to share between mothers and daughters.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started this book I was immediately turned off by the text-speak and the teen-slang and the urban trash talking. But I stuck with it and discovered that while I still didn't like the style, I did enjoy the story of a mother and daughter experiencing the teen years ultimately through another's eyes. Tamika and her mother are like gasoline and a lit match. Her mother hates her boyfriend and isn't enthused about her going off to a photography camp. Tamika considers her mother boring and uptight but when summer plans change and the two have to travel to Georgia to clean out Tamika's grandmother's house, Tamika discovers a whole new side of her mother. A freer, more relaxed, mother. And Tamika isn't certain she likes the new incarnation. But the house still needs to be cleaned out and Tamika steps up to the plate, surprising both her mother and herself with her ingenuity. It turned into an interesting story that I ultimately enjoyed despite the "language" barrier.

[Tiffany Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

She Said She Said
16-year-old Tamika is upset because the photography internship was been delayed. The winner will get their work published in a national magazine. Laura (her mother thinks it sounded sketchy anyway). Laura tries to switch the subject and starts talking about the last day of school, college plans, and her best friend moving (Lisa) but Tamika doesn’t feel like talking about any of it. Since her mother lost her job, she’s always been around and driving Tameka crazy. The bright side tho is she’ll be going away for 2 months to tend to some family business. We see that the family business is cleaning out her parent's house that’s been around for centuries. We also see Malcolm and Lisa went through something and now they’re back together. Laura feels like things are falling apart. Malcolm has to leave for a couple of months and Laura asks if “she’ll” be going. (Malcolm had an affair with a co-worker). He says some people will be going but she needs to trust him. Malcolm suggests she take Tamika with her to Georgia. At dinner, her parents drop the bomb that Tamika will be going with Laura.

At a party, Tameka sees a guy she likes (Shawn) and she uses it to her advantage to get even with Justin (who dancing with two girls). Sean will also be in Frazier visiting his grandparents. Lisa tells her not to play Sean. He’s a nice guy. She should go out with him. Tamika and her mom discuss staying there and how much the internship meant to her. Her mother puts on the unauthorized party and says she thinks the trip will be a good chance for them to have fun together. Sean later posts on his My Space page about the party and a girl he likes. He says he should have tried to get her number. Tamika comments back that he should have.

On the way up, the first stop they make is at a graveyard. They look at some boutiques, Laura even shows Tamika some photography shops. They visit another graveyard. The name on the tombstone shocks Tamika. Laura does another rubbing same as in the first graveyard. They then check in at a bed and breakfast. At dinner, Tamika admits the day wasn’t *that* bad. Laura shares with her she and her mother had the same experience visiting the cemeteries. She didn’t like at first but it taught her about her family’s history. Laura tells Tameka her great-grandmother was a slave and a mistress of a master. When he died, she got the land and she freed herself and their children.

The next day Laura goes to a antique and open flea market. Tameka is amazed at the sight of some of the old objecs (a Victrola). They both buy lots of things and each have a good time. In Frazier, they stop at a bbq joint, and Laura runs into an old friend (Grace). The lady is kinda over the top and Tamika can’t believe they were ever friends. When she leaves Laura says she forgot all about her friend. Tamika says she’ll never forget about Lisa, but Lisa thinks that’s the same thing she said about her girlfriends. Later when they get to the house on Diamond Point, Laura and Tamika go up to the attic and go down memory lane. There are old newspapers with historic events, the first issues of magazines (Life, Times), Tameka finds some old jeans (Jordache, Calvin Klein, Vanderbilt) that she’s been looking for but are only in exclusive boutiques and some concert shirts of her mothers. Then she finds her yearbook. Tamika finds out that her mother’s hair was in the same aftro style as hers. There was also a player in the book named Keith Tyler. Sean IMs Tamika later and says he’ll be up there in two weeks. Then Lisa calls and Tameka recaps her day. She tells Lisa about the photos she took and she says she should submit them to a magazine. Tamika brushes this off too.

Aunt Sylvia shows up and suggests Tamika go ask Grace’s dad if she can take pictures for the paper (He’s the mayor). She also suggests when she whines she’s bored that SHE can start helping clean out the house.(Laura has gotten wrapped up with hanging out with Grace and has seemed to forget about the house). Tamika also complains about her mom going out so much and Aunt Sylvia says that this is because after her sister died (Deb) their parents were strict on Laura. All she did was work and go to school. Tameka starts working on the attic and finds her mother’s journals which are scattered. In one of them, she finds out that Deb was pregnant before she died and Tamika wonders what happened to the baby. Tamika turns putting the diaries in order into a project.

After two weeks they’re still there and Laura won’t let Tamika leave. Tameka notices while reading her mother’s diaries that she really was sheltered and a lot of her sister’s ish got taken out on her. She also notices how much she repeated she had Frazier and when she had kids they would not be there and she’d let them do whatever they wanted. She wonders what happened. Laura finally decides to stop slow poking around and goes out to get supplies but she sees Grace who invites her to a get-together to celebrate the 4rth. Then she runs into Keith who tries to get her to go to dinner with him. Even though he still makes her weak (and Grace has warned her that he’s still a player as well as being involved in some shady realtor doings)she turns him down. Tamika continues to explore the attic and finds some antique things in drawers, letters, and ledgers. She goes on line to find out their value. Lisa says Justin’s been checking for her, but ever since Tamika’s been in Frazier, she hasn’t thought of him.

Keith is at Grace’s party and introduces Tamika to his daughter Jalissa. Tamika gets bored and leaves the party early. Laura stays out after midnight. Tamika hears them catching up and opens the door just as he’s about to kiss her. Tamika questions her mother about Keith, but she uses the line “We’re just friends”. Then they argue. Tamika sees a lot of Justin in Keith.. Laura tells her daughter nothing is gonna happen. Tamika vows to find out about Keith.. So she does an online search. She even brushes off Sean’s affection. Sean tells her to let it go and let her mother have fun. Tameka again makes it known she wants to go home. She hates it there. Sean tells her to chill, but she just goes off on him and he says she’s different and she and Justin deserve each other.

Keith calls and asks Laura to see him again but she turns him down. Laura tells Aunt Sylvia that she’s going to sell the place because she really can’t afford the upkeep. Tameka and Laura talk and they agree to have the letters and slave ledger appraised. Grace and Laura have lunch and she tells her she has a friend and she suggested that Laura could write a free-lance piece for her. Laura says she’ll think about it. Grace gives Laura some good advice about Tamika. She tells her she listens like a parent. Maybe she should try hearing Tamika as a person. Keith then shows up and Grace excuses herself. Keith tries to take Laura somewhere else but again she reminds him she’s married and she doesn’t cheat. He gives her an open invitation and a card.

Tamika finds out that Keith already sold her mother’s family’s home. Keith flips houses and is in trouble with the government for back taxes. Laura goes out with Keith and he makes an offer to buy her house as is. He tells her don’t worry about the letters and ledgers because they’re probably worthless. Laura later tells Tamika she’s considering letting Keith take off her hands because she’s tired of the responsibility but Tamika says she can take care of everything. Laura tells her she’ll think non it. Later, Sean stops by the house and they all go to dinner.

Laura decides to write the article and then sees some of Tamika’s pictures on her laptop. She’s so motivated by what she sees, she ends up writing a 10-page article. The editor loves it and Laura includes some of Tamika’s photos.

Laura and her girlfriends decide to do one last crazy thing and break into their old high school, pretending their back in school, and spending the night. They’re all having fun until Laura falls off the stage trying to do an old dance. Laura gets a sprained wrist and a mild concussion. Tamika chews her out. The letters turn out to be authentic and the museum wants to buy them, but Tamika doesn’t like the idea. Aunt Syl says maybe they can just loan them to the museum so they’ll stay in the family. Laura and Aunt Sylvia drop the bomb that there not selling the house because. it belongs to Tamika. Her grandmother left it to her. Keith comes around again trying to buy the house, but Laura says it’s Tamika’s then tells him a final goodbye. Malcolm surprises them and Tamika shares her good news. He tells her she can go to photo camp in the fall but she’s over it. She’s still high off the news of her being published. He tells her friend moved but then she can go visit her in California. Then he tells Laura they need to really *talk* and he’ll listen.

My Thoughts: While this was flat plot-wise, it did give a good message. I’m not a mother but I *have* a mother who sometimes can have a tendency to hear and not listen occasionally. I loved Grace’s advice to Laura to listen to her as a PERSON! I think sometimes it’s hard with mothers and daughters (people in general) to yourself in someone else’s shoes when the issue your in disagreement about isn’t something you can understand because you have a completely and totally different experience with it.

One of the issues my mother and I tend to go back and forth about is temperature. I’m a cold-natured person and she’s a hot-natured person. So she doesn’t always get it when I carry a jacket somewhere and it’s summertime. Even though I’ve explained it as patiently as I can that while it’s hot OUTSIDE, it might be freezing cold INSIDE (which ten times out of ten to my body it is). And sometimes I can get her to see that it just doesn’t matter to me if people look and me and wonder why this is. And along the same lines if I say I tend to sweat in abundance not because I’m too hot it’s because I’m too cold this just does not compute and she’ll explain how sweat works.

Another issue is my having misophonia. She told me that I needed to train myself not to hear all the noises. That’s really not how it works. People who have this mental disorder true enough can find ways to deal with it but if you have it it’s not something you can just *shut off* by just doing something else and trying to *tune it out*. And in her case, I can’t always understand where she’s coming from when she tells me it’s too hot because that’s not what I feel. So it can be hard! Especially if they only see things one way (the typical way) and refuse to understand that not all situations fit one person. Just because one thing might be how it is for one person, doesn't mean it works that way in the other person. They may *hear* that from you but then go right on arguing their way and as a daughter that can be INFURIATING! It's like I HEAR what you're saying but can't you at least (tho it may not sound logical to you) keep an open mind that it might just be *this* way.

I loved tho that while I didn’t feel like it was fair that Laura didn’t let Tamika go to the photo camp (as it was something she’d committed to) for something that really wasn’t her responsibility, I loved the idea that Laura wrote an article and included her daughter’s pictures. This really would haeve meet a lot to me as a teenager and it was my writing or my artwork my mother would have shown her class or used in a lesson plan. I think the guy my mom’s dating did take something I’d drawn to work and put it on his desk. I would hope that if I ever did (fat chance of this but) have a teenager (and I have old journals too of when I was one) try to keep in mind what I was like back then and try to at least not just *hear* them but really LISTEN. I also have to give Laura credit for not giving in to temptation. I just knew she was going to sleep with Keith (this probably would have made the story more interesting). But I don't know a lot of ladies would have just let their hormones get the better of em. She might have fallen out of love with her husband but she was damn sure loyal to him despite it. It would have been so easy to do to since he'd cheated. I admire Tamika too for stepping up in the end. That HAD to feel good to look around and say I DID THAT! Although I don't think I know too many people that would leave a child a HOUSE.

Rating: 6

[Taty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celeste O. Norfleet’s purpose in writing her book, She said, She said, is to show her audience that the life of a teen and adult both have its own struggles. Many teens and their parents might argue that each other’s role in life are harder or easier than another, but in reality they both carry their own weight and duty. She said, She said could show parents and the kids the importance in their life. This book reminds teens that their parents were once their age and reminds parents that their teens are becoming them. According to Celeste “Throughout the course of writing this story….i think it brought us closer together in understanding and love.”(Celeste O. Norfleet). This book and the writing experience brought her and her daughter together because they got a chance to step in each other’s shoes. She said, She said is a great learning experience for anyone.

She said, She said was a decent book. It wasn’t a difficult read, but it did have some challenging words to stimulate your mind. The author has some insightfully advice that could have lasting value that the readers could definitely relate to. For example, the main character Tamika and her mother Laura have not been getting along since she hit her teens. Tamika is now 16 and her and her mother are like ice and fire. Once she went on that road trip and made it to Fraser, Tamika start finding out more and more things about her mother. As she was in the attic reading her moms old diaries; she came to a conclusion that her and her mother were more alike than she ever thought.

This story was very entertaining but also has a serious life lesson that could be learned from. The story of Tamika’s mother Laura basically waiting to gain a life back that she never had a chance to live when she was a teenager. Laura would go out every night since they’ve been back in Fraiser. She played a prank on her old high school but got hurt. Tamika had to pick her up. On the ride home she rammed on and on saying” Breaking into a school. Have you lost your mind.”?(Tamika,239) This was officially the time Tamika had switched from child to concerned parent and Laura was the “care nothing” teen. This story will make the reader really think about how their parents could do some childish things that make them have to step up to the plate. I could relate to Tamika because I to want freedom to do what I want and buy things whenever I please, but unlike her im aware of the hardships and the responsibilities an adult goes through. Tamika is gullible and I am not.

The greatest strength of the book She said, She said, is that it’s one of the fewer books that can be relatable. Unlike fictional books that talk about fairytales or imaginary things. This exemplified when Tamika finally took some responsibility for their old family house. Her maturity showed out when she told her mother ”You’re always talking about me stepping up so I’m doing it now, so let me.”(Tamika,211). The greatest weakness about the book is the way it ended. I hate when a book ends without answering the unknown questions. What happens to the characters that weren’t mentioned at the end?

”She said, She said shows the basic struggle of any teen trying to gain freedom and independence and any parent trying to escape the troubles of responsibility. This book opens the eyes of the reader and makes them really consider both sides. Each of them got a taste of what it was like to walk in each others shoes and they couldn’t handle it. This fiasco brought them closer. She said, She said, part of the Kimani Tru series. I would recommend this book to a friend because I enjoyed myself. Most of my friend’s read similar urban books like this. Its not a long book and it could really past the time.

[Tanika Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

She said, She said is a fiction novel written by Celeste O. and Jennifer Norfleet published in 2008. This book is about a young girl that feels her life is a mess and never gets what she wants but that’s not true. She has a mother that’s a little strict but loves her, a dad that loves her to but is never really around, a best friend for life that is always there for her and a new guy in her life that wants to treat her good but she can’t see that because of the last “player” boyfriend that did her wrong. The author’s purpose for writing this book is to entertain but also inform or make someone realize “hey I’m going through this same situation”. Celeste O and Jennifer organized “She said, She said” in chapters where Laura “the mom” and Tamika “the daughter” took turns and told it in their point of view but the story flowed well. Their style which I liked was to relate to real life situations that families or relationships go through. Also got into great details so the readers could picture what was going on and they spoke in teenage language for instance when they were talking but also for when Tamika was texting, that’s how we teenagers text today. I liked that the author defines certain words just in case the reader may not have known what the word meant. The book did achieve its goal, it was very interesting and made me not want to put it down at certain parts because I was wondering what was going to happen next. I recommend people that might need a little laugh but also might be going through something and realize you’re not alone to read this book. I will definitely be reading more of these KIMANI Tru books.

[Dionna Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is good, so good that you can't even put it down. In this book its Tamika last day of school and her boyfriends dumps her and her best friend named Lisa moves away so now she don't have nobody. As for her mother while her father goes on a monthly business trip so she is stuck for two weeks with her mother in Georgia. Its embarrassing because while they down south Tamika mother Laura tries to be young again by partying with her old friends and getting drunk.

[Kamyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book basically goes to show that the adult and teen both have their own struggles. this was a great book to me. it wasn't at all the challenging for me to read. the author gives some very good advice to the reader that the reader can relate to. basically tamika was in the attic one day reading her mother's diary nd she is soon to find out that her and her mother are more alike then she knew.

[Lanetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty weird how the protagonist's mom wanting to be a sixteen-year-old again. It's understandable that the mother didn't have the opportunity to live her life as a teen, but still, it's just the fact that she's finally realized, that her young years, are over. On the other hand, you do look young if you feel young.

[Rayzin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamika is forced to go on a trip to the south with her mother. But with the reminder of her boyfriend dumping her and her betfriend moving away she's noy up to it. Then her mother seems to think she's on Mom's goin wild. Now She has to act like the adult and try and figure out if she can snap he mom out of it.

[Treasure McCarver]

so far from what I've read, the differences between the mother and daughter are so realistic. everybody goes through the same thing where you and your parents just don't get along. I think everyone who reads this book can relate right off the back.

[Sarah Spector]

YA--part of the new genre of African American teen fiction. The major theme is the conflict between mother and daughter--set in today's landscape. The family is middle class and the mother has to go South to close up the family home and drags her daughter with her.

[Brianna8f · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a real good book. It's like real life. A daughter and mother that are having problems. Every thing gets worse when she takes a trip with her mom to her grandmothers house.

[K-cutie]

SO FAR IN THIS BOOK THE GIRL IN MY BOOK HAS AN BEST FRIEND THAT SHE TEXT TO AND SHE IS NOT IN THAT GOOD OF AN RELASHIONSHIP WITH HER MOTHER AND SHE IS IN THE 10th NOT DONE

[Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

i learned to listen to your my and dont get mad at her

[Bijion · Rating 2 out of 5]

i learned that u should be very thankful because when u loose it ur going to be sad so think about what u do before you do it.

[Raynisha Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok.

[Bobby Hardy]

i Love this book it was one of my favorite books and i wouldn't mind reading it again. my love for this book is very, very high.

[Ebony]

i like it her mom is just acting like she was

[i am sorry for not being the girl you want andnot · Rating 4 out of 5]

what i learned about is noting right now becaue i just stared to read this book

[Taniya · Rating 2 out of 5]

its good so far