Where Do I Go from Here?

by Valerie Wilson Wesley

Struggling against prejudice and financial disadvantages at Endicott Academy, Nia, an African-American teenager, finds a friend and mentor in Marcus, whose disappearance leaves Nia confused and determined to find him. Reprint.

138 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Valerie Wilson Wesley is an African-American author of mysteries, adult-theme novels, and children's books,[1] and a former executive editor of Essence magazine. She is the author of the Tamara Hayle mystery series. Her writings, both fiction and non-fiction, have also appeared in numerous publications, including Essence, Family Circle, TV Guide, Ms., The New York Times, and the Swiss weekly magazine Die Weltwoche.

Reviews

[Richard Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable enough book. Kind of slow, but it picks up toward the end.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a diamond of a novel.

[Aj Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nia is a hard working student who is admitted to a mostly white academy. While shes there she sees Marcus, her friend who she knewfrom high school. They share some of the same difficulties they have being black in a mostly white, elite academy. After Marcus mysteriously dissapears without returning Nias calls or answering her letters, she tries to piece together her feeling's about school, Marcus, her friends from home, and her life.

I liked the story because Nia stood up for Marcus even when he didn't talk or show affection towards her. Marcus made Nia feel she could be herself with him. Its important to find someone that understands you. I also liked Nias boldness even though she knew the academy was predominantly white, she still had the courage to go there. Her name means purpose in swahili and her aunt odessa worked to get her a scholarship. She lIved up to her name and her aunts expectations.

I also like the story because of Nias maturity that led her back to the academy instead of home after her suspension.

I dislike the fact that Marcus did not communicate with Nia about his personal situation.

Overall I would recommend this book to teenagers that might be having problems fully expressing their feelings. I dont think that it matters that the characters are black or that the school is mostly white, I think they can relate to fitting in and trusting a friend.

[Angélique (Angel) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars. This book was well paced with very easy to relate to characters. The author did a good job of balancing the topics of racism and classism with generic teenage feelings of frustration,confusion, loneliness, etc. Overall, this was exactly the type of book I'd hope it'd be. I wish I had read it earlier in my life.

[Chin123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

great touching book!

[Lynecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the book I read as part of my first book club, in about 8th grade..