Diary of a Young Girl

by Mark Anthony

After her mother's tragic death, Shayla is left to navigate her teenage years with little help from her neglectful, playboy father. Used and abused by the adults around her, Shayla makes some risky choices, taking a job as a waitress in one of Harlem's top strip clubs before she's even of legal age. She makes ends meet by running scams on unsuspecting patrons, but her luck soon runs out when she is raped and left for dead one night after work.

Confused and scared, Shayla concocts a lie that leads to an arrest. A man is convicted and sent to prison for the crime, though he insists he's innocent.

Shayla goes about putting her life back together, and with the help of a great mentor, she makes some big changes. Now a graduate of Howard University, she's ready to begin a new career and put her old life far behind her-until an unexpected twist turns everything upside down. New DNA evidence leads the court to reopen her rape case, and Shayla will be forced to confront the lies that she told. Will she ever be truly free from the ugly demons of her past?

Genres: Audiobook, Psychological Drama

7 pages, Audio CD

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Alexxus Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this book is a great book for any girl who is going through problems with thier current boyfriend or has any sexual disease and also for any girl who is mature enough to read this book. This book is very graphic and violent. I warned you!

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, well spoken story of life, forgiveness, and redemption. Shayla's promiscuity at an early age was a direct result of beiing vulnerable to outside influences due to the death of her mother.

Every thing happens gor a reason even if the fruition of that reasoning isn't immediate. Many reviewers complained this tale was too graphic but I believe it was contextually necessary to tell her story.

Well done. My first read by this author. Won't be my last

[Lorah' · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was interesting but at the same time you have to be mature to read it. Its very graphic. And, oh yeah it is good for girls going through hard times at young ages and leading them to the right/wrong path. Thumbs Up, Hate Down.

[M.T. Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent reading

[Ahmya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I over loved this book. It's so realistic and attention grabbing. You never know what to expect nor are you prepared for what you will find out. I highly recommend this book.

[Bless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent in every single wa5! I love how the author incorporated God into this situation! I would recommend this book to all the young boys and girls out there, everyone can learn from this book. Most definitely five-star worthy! Extravagant job Mr. Anthony!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I'm going to see what the "urban" labeled book is like. Not sure this is my type of book though.

So, this book was ok, but I don't know how many more like this I will read. Overall, things just seemed to work out too smoothly when they were meant to be (and badly when they were meant to).

[Loryn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should’ve known it was going to get real Tyler Perry at the end by the cover. To be fair, this was something a family member wanted me to listen to and she is banned from anymore recommendations. The story telling is great, but it’s so cliche. She finds Jesus and her hoedem is washed away.

[Niya Kimbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was hard getting through the first 15 chapters and by hard I mean you will be mad and disgusted. However it ended on a really good note and a lot can be taken from the book.

If you like black trauma and redemption/ overcoming stories then this is for you.

[Ransom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to listen/read. This happens to so many young ladies out there.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[BossyLadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing story. I don't know what else to say. You need to read this book. Shayla will forever be apart of me. God knows. God provides. God is.
Excellent book.

[Delonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final Rating 5 Stars.

[Aaliyah]

got to read

[Antiniqua Bradby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't finished it yet

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too graphic for me.

[Steph Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was okay but Shayla was doing entirely to much and nobody knew thats kind of odd to me Im glad that she got a better worth of herself

[T.J. Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turner!!

[Starr Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shayla was battling some heavy sh*+ at times she made me mad. it's like she just let things happen to her ..... instead of sticking up for herself. Everyone she came encountered with made me mad from Joyce to her father. I wish she had her mother in her life .... the author kept my attention I was mad hoping the character would grow more before the ending of the book. the way Shayla was described was totally different from the cover photo. They should've just described her that way.... I would've liked to know what Angie.... I really hated that Shayla lied smh .....