The Fight

Drama High #1

by L. Divine

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.

Genres: Young Adult, Drama, African American, Urban, Teen, Fiction, Young Adult Contemporary

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

L. Divine is a young female author of the young adult fiction series Drama High. L. Divine is also a priestess who is originally from California, has lived in Jamaica and currently resides with her children in Atlanta. She also holds advanced degrees in African American studies from UCLA.

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so when it comes to African American Urban Literature, I'm always on the fence on whether I like it or not. The protagonist, Jayd, is supposed to be smart so I thought I would like this book alot more. But I really didn't. The plot wasn't bad, I liked that, it was the slang, the dialogue that got on my nerves. Everytime I saw the words, "giving up my cookies." I wanted to stab myself in the eye.

There are people who do refer to everyone as sistah or brotha, and speak ebonics. I don’t mind hearing it, but I hate reading it. It’s not something that translate well in text sometimes, I think the way it was written was like the editor asked for extra black sass. It almost read how white people think black people talk, or maybe there was too much of it for my reading taste. I also didn’t find Jayd all that relatable, even though there are some things we have in common.

Like being the "smart kid" out your group of friends and some people hating you for it. but that's where the relating ends. I’m from Ohio but I grew up poor in the suburbs, so I don’t have the same adversities to overcome as a smart girl from Compton who witnessed a drive by, I’ve never even seen a gun in real life.

But anywho, this book was...okay. That's all. I didn't hate it, didn't love it. But I finished.

[Tymia · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD...IT'S VERY MATURE IT TEACHES YOU THINGS ABOUT BOYS AND GIRLS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN YOU GET IN HIGH SCHOOL IT HAS VERY USE LANGUAGE AND IS VERY FUN TO READ.

[Abby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read for a genre study on teen urban fic. I know this series is super-popular with some teens, but I really couldn't get past the fact that the narrator repeatedly referred to sex as "giving up the cookies." To make things worse, during a conversation on unprotected sex, one of her girlfriends tells her that having sex without condom will "make your cookie crumble." True story.

[Katelynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would make me want to talk about why KJ brokeup with Jayd because she wouldn't have sex with him. I've just started reading this book and it captured my attention because it's seems so real. In the beginning, Jayd gets dumped by her boyfriend, gets a huge pimple on her nose the day before the first day of school, sees a man get shot, and has to deal with her moms nagging. So far I really like this book and I can't wait to read more.

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes Me Wanna Holler

Jayd Jackson is a `rebel with a mouth,' street smart, book smart and wise about the games guys play. Jayd is still a typical girl and she fell for one of the cutest, more popular guys at South Bay High. KJ was the nicest, most considerate boyfriends a girl could want. That is until it came time for the cookie distribution. Translation, Jayd wasn't ready for sex so Mr. Considerate moved on to the next chick.

It's the first week of school and drama seems to be lurking all around Jayd as she tries to deal with her classes, her family and her first broken heart. It would be simpler if she knew precisely who was and wasn't her friend. Misty has been posing as a friend for far too long and now that Trecee is in Jayd's face about KJ, her ex, she knows that some type of way Misty is caught in the middle, but how, she isn't certain.

Drama High: The Fight was initially purchased for my younger cousin. I usually pre-read anything I'm considering for her because of the content some authors deem age appropriate. Though I believe that this is some mess that high schoolers unfortunately are locked into, I have to say that the whole potions and cleansings were too much for me. Even with all of that, I think Drama High: The Fight truly reps what high school is like.

[Allison, Kawalec.]

This book is about a girl named Jayd who was datting a guy named kj but he broke up with her cus she wuldnt give it up too him. so, he starts datting this crazy girl named trecee and her ex best friend misty keeps telling trecee all this crazy stuff about jayde wanting to get back with kj but its not true so now trecee wants to fight jayd and the reason this whole thing started was because misty wanted to get with kj so she wanted to get rid of both treccee and jayd and kj admits to jayd that he dosnt want trecce and shes lieing and telling people shes having his baby but its not true she was prego befor she even started datting him and now jayd is talking to this white guy named jermey that she likes. and she lives with her grandma who is in to this vudo stuff. so some people think jayds crazy. and her to best friends and neille and mickey. they always have her back no matter what.


i really liked this book i have to admit some parts are somewhat boring but for the most part its pretty good.
it's a whole lot of drama so for those of u who are in to that this books for u! i personaly don't like drama but its funn to read about i plan on reading the whole serries and i think if people take the time to read this book theyd want to read the series too. =]

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sooooo haha this book was okay. I enjoyed it but it was the writing that brought down the rating. Sometimes the writing was really good and truly captured the voice of Jayd and other times it felt forced. I will be continuing the series because I’m interested in seeing what’s going to happen to Jayd and the rest of her friends. Overall a good pick for teen readers.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother. Teens would probably like it, but it is just too silly (even for me!)

[Ikea V · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK HAS MAD DRAMA AND REAL DOWN TO EARTH LOLZ

[Sandra (Book Loves) Atueyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fight

The Fight: A Novel (Drama High) by L. Divine is a good series. L. Divine did a good job. It’s well written and it’s phenomenal page.

It’s beginning drama for Jayd, KJ, Trecee and Misty. Misty is a bitter, jealous, crazy and selfish person. KJ broke up with Jayd for Trecee because Jayd refuses to give up her cookies to KJ. Trecee and Jayd are trick by Misty because Misty wants KJ to herself.

Jayd’s creation is different than other. Mickey and Nellie are loyalty friends for Jayd . I can’t wait to reread Second Change because I want to know more drama from these characters.

Good read:
Book Nerd
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[Ericaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I read was Drama high: the fight. The book is a realistic fiction and the reason I read it was because it looked good and I like books with gangs and problems that I can guess what will happen. In the book it takes place in California. There are a lot of characters but the main characters are KJ and Jayd. KJ is a b-ball player how everyone likes and he is know for being a player and that is what he is and he knows that. Jayd is a pretty girl who got caught up in the moment with KJ and he decides to dump he when he sees that she will not let him have sex with he broke up with her and all she wants is to know why he said that he and her are over. In the story Jayd is at work and she get a call from boyfriend and he said they where over and hung up on her and now she has a girl waning to fight her over a guy and she now has to deal with her ex-boyfriend, a guy she likes, her friends, and this girl that wants to fight when she got up on the first day of school she said not drama but wherever she goes drama seems to follow. In the story the problem is that her ex-boyfriend needs her help because is so called girlfriend says she is having a baby and he is the father even when he know is isn’t and hers is that this girl wants to kill her over a guy. I don’t know how the problem is resolved but I do know I will find out be reading all the books and I can’t wait to see what happens. My opinion is that it would be a good book for people who like about this that are in the past and present.

[Anayeli♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I choosed this book because it is really fun because it has interesting stuff and it also has good characters and they have fitghts and i like the books that have drama in them because they last long and they make the book more interesting than they are already are and the cover it is basically goes in with the story.The genre of this book is teen fiction. The setting was at shcool and the girls house.The description of the main character is that she is cool and she is in love with this guy and the guy cheats on her and he is dating one of her best friend. And all that drama starts when she moves into a school and the girl that is dating her ex is there and she wants to start drama with her.The plot summary is that well she moves into a new house and she broke up with her boyfriend and she meet her boyfriends new girlfriend and she wants to start drama with her because supposibly that her boyfriend still likes her and she does not want her to be there that way she will not go and date that girl again.The problem in the story is that she is in a new school right after her boyfreind broke up with her and her new girlfriend goes to the same school and she wants to start drama with her.The problem is resolved when she moves and the guy forgot all about her and she gets to date a new guy.My opinion about this book is that it is a nice book to read for people who like reading drama stuff and that is it has funny stuff.

[Kricket · Rating 1 out of 5]

while the plot and characters seemed pretty realistic, the writing was just plain sloppy. the author constantly contradicts herself, goes off on random tangents, quotes vague song lyrics, and ignores aspects of the plot that should have been revisited. editorial errors abound. for a story that brings in a similar exciting plot and true-to-life characters, try Kendra by Coe Booth...who actually knows how to write.

as much as i disliked it, however, it makes me happy that girls at my library love this series and recommend it to their friends. hey, they're reading!

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

jayd wants to have her high school year with drama free , but ofcourse that doesnt wind up happening , theres alot of he say she say in this book ! This also connects to real life , because girls & boys now and days listen to he say she say and it winds up not being true but people dont care they just wanna fight right? well this is what this book is about its about a boy & A girl who are toqether and some girl trys to come in a steals her man . ( not saying any names ) its a really good book check it out yourself :)

[Sola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is great, because teenage kids get a chance to see what really goes on in high school.
Or if you already in high school it shows that everyone goes threw drama and your not the only one who is.Teachs how to slove your drama how girls and boy treat each other.It shows what girls would do just to get to your man. They would do anything just so they can be with your man and make you mad so you can hate them.I think teenage kid's should really really really read this BOOK!!

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have never given 1 star before, but to quote Mary J. Blige "No More Drama!" this book is terrible.

[Ashley V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was decent,worth reading! It was about this girl name Jayd who is very pretty and one of the most popular girls of her clique and she had a boyfriend name kj,who broke up with her because she didnt get up the cookies for the finest brotha at drama high! As the new year begins at Drama High Jayd is so anxious to see all the drama that is about to come her way......Well 1st day of school happens and drama is already starting...Misty (Jayd's so called bestfriend) back-stabbed her and told kj a whole bunch of BS...which made kj brake up with her...and now kj is messing with the new chick at the school...name trecee...so now jayd and her is beefing and treccee thinks jayd's wants kj from all the fake news Misty is feeding too her...well as you can see there is the start of the drama and alot more to come! I like the series of theses books becuse it teaches you alot of things about boys and girls and how drama is like in highschool! I really recommend this book to anyone who loves drama because thats what is all in store in this book!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book is wonderful! So basiclly this book is abouta young girlnamed Jayd whois stuck in thedrama of South Bay High Aka "Drama High." She goes on through the year with her so called friend misty. Later she figures out that misty was never really a good friend at all. why? Because misty likes KJ (Everyone does) But it just so happens that Jaydis going out with him. She jealous so pputs out all these traps for Jayd.

I would Reccomend this book to those people who love drama. Also the people who love to hear about it. I would also reccomend this book to those who have the same kind of drama but don't how to deal with it like jayd sometimes has.

I wouldrate this book 5 stars because the drama is the whole book filled. The drama captivates thereader causing them to readmore than usual ! Its just wonderful !

[Roslyn Sadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book "The Fight by L.Divine", is not really that interesting to me because it doesn't really get to me as the others did. I think this book was very mind-numing to me. Since I haven't got that far I think the first chapter is boring to me. But, I know it's going to get interesting soon, I just have to get into it. The reason why I think this book is dry is because it's really not talking about anything yet, and Jayd keeps going on about how her parents are really not fund with each other. The mood of the author is hurt and fear in the first 8 chapters in it. The characters are going through a really rough time. The book "Fight" I wouldn't recommend to anybody because its boring to me I think.

[Ceairia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to most teens because it tells you about high school, aboout relationships, boys, and much more.

To me, the best part of the story is Jayd having to grow up in a neighborhood where she has seen shootings, stabbings, murders, robberies, and much more. Jayd labels herself as a person who knew it all, because of the stuff she has seen.

She was going with this boy named K.J. and that was her first boyfriend for high school. she wonted to drop out of school becaues of a girl name misty came an took her boyfirend.`

[Aj'zalaya Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

From reading this book, i can conclude that jayd was strong,she never backed down, she never gave up on life,and most of all she didn't get in that much drama,she was worried about her education.education. Jayd always remembered what momma had told her,"never let a boy come between your learning,education is first, boys are second and drama is last"jayd always kept that and she will not let her mom down...I predict that if they make another drama high book,jayd will never let anyone step on her toes.....

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first in a series. Jayd is a bamf who won't give up her cookies, even to the cutest guy in school. She dabbles in hanging out, chatting on the phone and spirit homework. Also at the end of this book are group discussion questions, info about starting a book club, and something I had forgotten happens sometimes. They put the beginning of the next book at the end of the first book as a hook. I didn't read the hook, but I am going to read that next book.

[Lupinus Texensis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like where this is going! The quality of the writing is a little uneven, especially in the beginning of this book. But I have it on good authority that it improves throughout the series. Jayd and her family are realistic, three dimensional, and there's so much more to the story than a simple fish-out-of-water trope or even Sweet Valley boyfriend drama.

[Tiffany Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Fight
Plot: I think I’ll try a lil something different with this review. I’m going to review this like I’m the character doing the review. It’s good to switch it up every so often. So here goes. All credit goes to L. DIVINE. I DID NOT write the character I’m just reviewing as her. I hope this doesn’t infringe on some kind of copyright rule of thumb. Again, I DON’T CLAIM HER! I DON’T CLAIM HER! I DON’T CLAIM HER!

Why is there always some drama going on around me? First, my boyfriend KG breaks up with me. Even though for a while I had my suspicions for a minute, he was messing around on me with other chicks. It didn’t start out that way. KG used to be sweet in the beginning, picking me up after school, and hanging out. MAN did I love that boy! KG is the definition of Smoove! But he’s not as smooth as he thinks he is. And I am NOT one of his little groupies that he can get the cookies from whenever he wants it. NO not this girl! Then there’s Misty who use to be cool in the beginning to until her colors also started to show. Right after I got my breast reduction, can you believe this girl tried to front me like it was a personal offense? As hard as I try to stay away from her, she’s always up in my business. Thank God for my girls Nellie and Mickey who always keep it 100. I just hope nothing goes down this year. I’ve already been having dreams of fighting. And if that’s not enough mother (that is my grandmother who I live with) always seems to be on my case about studying and practicing my “other” lessons (which involve potions and charms). But I guess that would be too much to ask for because here it is the first day of school and KJ’s new broad is in my face over “her man”. Please, she can *have* his trifling behind. Now this brother Jeremy tho. He just might be worth my time. But what to do about Treece?

My Thoughts: This book was pretty much what you thought of it going in. The build-up to the fight is I’ll say 95 percent of the book. With little bits thrown in about Jay’ds new love interest (Jeremy). It had the typical “urban” tropes: street girl with a smart mouth, her girls, the player boyfriend (that tries to hit), there there’s the conflict she has with other girls, the mother whose absentee (gets pregnant young, decides a child cramps her style, and dumps her off on the grandparent, the overcrowded house, etc) Then there HAS to be the mention of alcohol and smoking weed thrown in there, cause what would a “urban” book be without portraying us getting high and drunk. Even though in a twist it was a *white* party with all that going on. If Jeremy was supposed to be the better guy for Jayd did they have to make him into drugs tho? I appreciate the notion that we aren’t the only ones that do that stuff but would it not have been enough to just make him be a good match for her intellectually. I guess by having him smoke weed it was saying you can’t have everything. KJ is charming, fine, and an athlete. He doesn’t do drugs (that we’ve read about) but he’s a dog. And I did appreciate them not taking Jayd all the way hood (talking in slang) and gave her a brain. Jeremy is fine and has a conversation but he’s into drugs. Such is life I guess that not even the right one will have everything. But I just don’t see this going over well. Jayd seems to have her own mind but how long before she’ll be riding out with Jeremy and we see her sipping or smoking? Now, what did stand out in this and surprised me pleasantly was the element of Jayd Grandmother being a Pagan and Jayd practicing to be one. Now *that* you don’t see a lot of. And I liked how it was handled. It felt real to show that people looked at Jayd’s grandmother in a negative light because of what she practiced because people see anything different as wrong. I know at this age if I had a grandmother who was trying to get me to cook potions and carry charms and what not as an annoyance. Cause at this age you just wanna fit in and not be *too* different. But I would LOVE to have a Grandmother like this! She sounds badass to me! Without *this* element this book would have been pretty flat. It wasn’t a bad book, but it’s just sooooo typical that you felt like you’ve read it before. Or see it on every reality tv show. Which I’m not that much a fan of either. And then this is where it starts. I guess I've just never seen the sense in fighting over a man. Not one like KJ anyway. So when woman starts all this mess over one (that have the time could give two whats about the woman wanting the fight) I just roll my eyes. Jayd doesn't want the fight (which is positive) but because the title says "The Fight" there has to be a fight and Misty ends up getting stomped. I can't say that Misty didn't deserve to get her butt kicked. I'm in no way or shape a fan of Misty. But what I am saying is this. It's just SAD to me that we as females of color feel the need to fight each other over something this worthless. Treece's "man" by the end of the book is off somewhere trying to get inside Misty. The same BOY that just was trying to drop some ol tired game on Jayd that he was in love with her. And what happens next month when KJ finds a new flavor of the month. This dude goes throw women like he probably goes through all those clothes he has. What I would have *liked* to see from this book is a different ending where they all look at each other and be like "Wait, what are we fighting about again. KJ ain't ish." Then they all turn and start fighting *him* or either walk off together and be like "Let's get out of here. I heard there's a sale at the mall" to show unification. That would have been a better message.

Rating: 6 Only because it dared to bring the element of Paganism in.

[Tiara Anderson]

This book was really good. It is very relatable and filled with a lot of good action. I would recommend this book to every teenage girl to read because I think a lot of girl would be able to relate to it because of all of the drama.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

not the best storyline...but my teens love the title, the cover, and the characters they identify with...why do teens get in fights so much???

[Annalyse Lefaire · Rating 1 out of 5]

i liked but then jade started to get annoying

[India S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and it teaches a great lesson i will love to read another book from this author again this now has become my favorite book.....

[ReaderGirly❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back down memory lane! I started the Drama High series back when I was in highschool this series, and I think it speaks to L. Divine’s writing that I still very much enjoy it even 10+ years later.

Jayd was always a character I admired. She was fierce, smart, and didn’t take no mess from anyone. I loved the fact that she was one of the “cool” girls, but still wasn’t afraid to show her intelligence. She also was someone who was a virgin for most of the series, and she didn’t partake in any drugs. Now she could get down and fight IF she had to, but she was someone I’d always looked up to because she proved you can be cool while also holding true to the values you were raised with. The cherry on top was the fact that she believed in Deities and spirituality as a way to resolve conflict. I took note of the herbs and tinctures Mama would give Jayd to use for myself when needed. I also related to Jayd living with her grandmother. I believe at the time I was reading this series, I’d been staying with my grandparents during the summers and I understood what it was like to not be raised by your biological parent. I think so many young women will be able to relate to Jayd’s story and how she was feeling. The feeling of first heartbreak, of betrayal, the feeling of trying to find your own place in a new school, etc. She was just always someone I could look up to, and I enjoy her story to this day.

This book in particular was Jayd learning how to navigate conflict. She and KJ have jost broken up, and yet, drama still finds its way to her in the form of Tracee, who, jealous over KJ’s love for Jayd, vows to beat her up on day after school. One thing I wished for this book was better friends for Jayd. Jayd seemed to have her head on her shoulders, but the people she was around were garbage. Misty was a backstabber, Nellie was a little too uppity, and Mickey was always saying slick comments. Jayd herself busts her friends out a time or two, so it didn’t seem like there was a strong bond of sisterhood throughout the story. I wish we could have seen more of that side of being young and black. I wanted Jayd to have a better support system really.

No other really big critiques. This was a fun, and drama filled start to an amazing series. I can’t wait to finally finish reading it!

[Myrline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Book: The Fight (Drama High, #1) is about a Teenager name Jade Jackson in her high school and love life going from living with her mom to her grandmother. Jade is aa very talented young lady, but it seems as though drama seems to find her everywhere she goes. From drama at home, drama with friends she struggles with who she can trust as her close friend turn on her. The boy she thought was in love with her changes up. The drama high book is very much fiction but it seems s real as it relates to a teenagers reality. I really recommend that anyone reads these series because L. Divine really has a way of capturing the reader's attention. With every book there is a lesson learn behind them that we as young adults can learn from. P.S Jade Jackson also has a special talent but you would have to read it to find out more about it.