Too Soon for Jeff

Hamilton High #2

by Marilyn Reynolds

High school senior Jeff Browning is upset when he learns that his girlfriend is pregnant and determined not to let a baby ruin his plans to go to college on a debate scholarship, but his feelings change after the baby is born

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Teen

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1994

Reviews

[Morgan Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Browning is a seventeen year old boy who attends Hamilton High. Jeff is a senior who is preparing himself to go to college. At the beginning of the school year, Jeff's life changes forever.

The story begins with Jeff, a smart guy who lives with his mother and competes in debate tournaments. Jeff has been together with a girl named Christy for a while. Over this past summer, Jeff's feelings started to change for Christy. One night, Jeff and Christy are in the car parked in the spot they always parked at. Jeff wants to break up with Christy that night. Christy tells Jeff that she had some news to tell him. Jeff hopes that she wants to break up with him but instead she tells Jeff that she's pregnant. Jeff was confused because Christy said that she was on the pill. Jeff isn't happy about it and tells Christy to get an abortion, but Christy says no, calling Jeff a "baby killer."

Christy's parents soon find out that she's pregnant and all of them go to Jeff's house. When Jeff's mom finds out, she is disappointed in Jeff. Jeff tells them that he isn't ready to be a father yet. Christy's dad kicks her out of the house for a while so she stays with Jeff. Jeff and Christy never get along anymore and soon break up. People at school soon know about Christy and ignore Jeff.

After graduation day, all the graduates go to Disneyland. Jeff and Christy go on the trip but stay away from each other. While everyone is at Disney, Christy and Jeff are in line for a ride. Christy soon has pain and is rushed to the hospital. Jeff goes up to the hospital and finds out that the baby is coming soon but the doctors are keeping the baby in the womb longer. Several weeks later, before Jeff left to go to a debate tournament, Jeff gets a call saying that the baby will be here soon. Jeff rushes to the hospital and later in the day sees the baby. After a name is decided, the baby goes home and Jeff comes and see his son several times a week. Christy and Jeff work hard to be the best parents they can.

This book really is a great book. Many teenagers in high school can relate to this. Teen parents or soon to be teen parents will get to see the struggles of having a child during high school. I very much enjoyed this book.

[Alan]

Marilyn Reynolds did a good job on the book Too Soon For Jeff. In this story it focuses on Jeff who is going to college at first, but after the announcement of his girlfriend being pregnant his plans are changed. I decided to read this book because it was recommended to me by a friend.
Too Soon For Jeff focuses on Jeff. He is also the main character. This book is written in first person. So when Jeff is separated from his family and friends you have no idea what is going on with them. This book is like a journal of his life, but even so you still have a huge understanding of what is going on.
The title is a good one because I quickly knew that there was something that was going to happen but it was too soon for Jeff. This book focuses on honesty,trust,caring,and forgiving. This is a unexpected book with changes at every turn.The cover may not be attractive but the story will catch your attention in a second.I will recommend this book for mature students and adults, because there are many mature terms in this book.

[Kimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughts. Christy was a naive young girl that got herself involved in a fantasy. She craved something that she didn't have at home. When she finally had a sense of security I think she held to tight - wanting to keep it forever. Her mistake was thinking being pregnant would have the love of her boyfriend forever. This leads her sweet carefree teenage attitude slowly fade away and hurt blossoms. She used anger and blame to stop her from breaking down I believe. She craved desperately to rely on someone and on this journey I think she grows to learn that she doesn't need anyone to lean on but find the strength in herself. I believe her baby Ethan is a blessing to her because he becomes her strength.
Jeff is portrayed as the father that doesn't want anything to do with a kid but later realizes how much he would turn to his father if he walks out on his son Ethan.

[Ivette Valdez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you like real life stories fufilled with action and a catchy beginning? Well this is the book for you. You'll actually feel the character, from emotions to what there going through and probably even shed a couple tears. Yup, that's right! You'll feel how it is to be lonely and have an idea of how a pregnant teenagers life is. It's crazy how her life is and how hard it is to accomplish her own life in "Too soon for Jeff"!

[Keyeara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff is a great character nd i feel bad for him bacuse he nd his girlfriend christy made a big mistake. so far jeff is tryin to convince his girlfriend of 2 years to get an abortion. i agree with abortion depending on the sititaion. in jeff's case he is way too yupong to have a baby but his girlfreids disagree. i hope jeffs takes up for his respoability because at the end of the day its christy's desions.

[Damon Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff's girlfriend claims she's on the pill but she really isn't. She purposely gets pregnant because she's afraid she'll lose him. He gets so angry and breaks up with her. He loves her and the baby but really wants to go to college and make something of himself. They split up but he still cares for the baby (ethan).

[Tiara Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took my breath away. It took my breath away to see a girl trap a man into having a baby. In most books having a bay or getting pregnant is a mistake. But jeff's girlfriend did it on purpose thinking he'll love her more. O boy was she wrong you should read this book to find out why.

[Giacomo Casanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book. The story is quite depressing, and it was too often the reality for teenagers in the high school that I went to. This story was always in the back of my head when I was growing up. Anyways, good read.

[Tahira · Rating 3 out of 5]

all the girl n boy that are having sex with no protection yall aint ready 4 no kids that is just not save!!!

[Karin · Rating 1 out of 5]

read for article. old-school problem novel. teen pregnancy from male perspective. purposeful and didactic. yech.

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F REY hh bk.2

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book!

[Ms. Tongate, TLC Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great teen pregnancy read from the father's perspective. All HS males should read.

[Zuzu :)]

I'm new here and can't find the "read now" button. So what am I suppose to do? I really want to read this book

[Ann]

I look forward to reading more by this author

[Amy Perrault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a guy's view of his girlfriend & then ex-girlfriend keeping a baby when he thinks she's not ready. He ends up being there for his little baby

[jazzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

so far this bookis good

[Anna Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about teen pregnancy. I loved it!! Well worth the read!

[Kristina]

In high school I loved this series.