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Pledge
Raised in a strict household, sixteen-year-old Courtland Murphy never had a date. But that was before the guy of her every dream--basketball star Allen Benson--asked her out. She's gone from never-been-kissed to dating the hottest guy in school. And now her new boyfriend is pressuring her to prove she loves him--by having sex. But as a member of her community's Worth-the-Wait club, Courtland made a vow to stay a virgin. Now everyone--from friends to family to fellow club members--gives her different advice, from "do it " to "you made a pledge, girl " It would be so easy for Courtland to go all the way with Allen, but sometimes his charming personality leaves her wondering. Who knew being in love could be so confusing?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 16, 2009
My reveiw about this book is that, this girl named Courtland Murphy was the cheerleaders co-captain at Grover HighSchool and she had a crush on an all star baskettball player named Allen Benson, so on the first day of school Courtland had got her schedule for the school year and they gave her the wrong english class, she was going to change it, but she decided to be more avanced. Then she found out that Allen was in her class, he sat next to her and started talking to her about how he's going to flunk english because her already flunked it twice, so her asked her if she could tutor her, and she agreed. The next day was her first time tutoring Allen, but he didn't show, when she did see him he had a hickey on hi8s neck Courtland didn't say nothing and just pretended to not notice it. That same day Allen asked her mother if he could come over so she could tutor him, at first her mother didn't think its a good idea because her dad was over protective because he was a cop, so Allen convinced her mom to let him come over abnd she gave in because he started tio sweet talk her mom. When they got to Courtlands house, Allen,Courtland,and her little 8 year old sister Cory were studing at the kitchen table, until her dad came in and told Allen her had to leave because Courtland wasn't aloud to date,but it wasn't a date. Then he told Courtland he wanted to date her, but her parents said she wasn't aloud top date until she was 17, but her mom said it was ok becasuse Allen was a nice guy until further into the story. A couple of later her Auntie Dani was a modle in NewYork, so she was visiting her family. When Courtland was on her way to her Worth to Wait meeting, it was a gathering that girls who didn't loose there virgnity or who has lost it and tried to find there way to the right pat,so she wears this purity necklace to show that her virginty was pure to her, her Auntie thought it was stupid. So she asked her group a question "if you love someone alot would you have sex with them" her group was suprised about a most of the people knew that she was talking about Allen, her group leader Andrea gave her advice. so the next day Allen took he on a date(and her aunt tagged along too)it was a double date cause Allern brung somebody for her Auntie, an baskettball couch named Miles. After that her and Allen went to the park and made out, but a police man caught her and he knew her father so she left and went home they were talking and she said somthing that made him grab her wrist really hard and after a few days he apolized to her she forgave him and went back to him. but he picked her one day and told her that he only went with her for ten dollars and Courtland started to get out the car but her grabbeds her again and spead off so fast he tried to kill them so he stopped and tried to rape her but she sprayed pepper spray in his eyes so she ran far enough that a man picked her up and dropped her off at mcdonalds and her friend Bre brought her some stuff top change into so she kept the secret until her auntie got caught bad Cory the little sister snuck around her auntie getting beat by Allen which caused Auntie Dani to have two broken arms and badly brused, because Allen beat her cause she told him that she was pregnant and her beat her and ran her over with his car and Cory recored everything. So Courtland told her dad everything that happened and they pressed charges against him and thats the end of Allens baskettball career, and Auntie dani survived.
November 7, 2016
I think I read this book in high school, my first year of going to a new school, and I decided to sit in the library and pick out a book. I thought this book was very interesting.
December 15, 2013
Most teenage girls are told to keep there virgintiy, but not very many are taught to do that. I know as a teenager coming up i was just always told to use a condom and protect myself. I was never told to value my virginty or take pride in it because once its gone you cant get it back.I would advice any teenage girl that hasnt lost their virginity to read this book, because it would give them more of an understanding as to why they need to value their virginity.
In "The Pledge" it is typical highschool life where the cheerleader dates the star basketball player Allen Benson. The only difference is Courtland is not the most popular girl on her cheeleading squad she is actually the total opposite. Courtland is quiet and keeps to herself,has never tried to be more than what she is or fit in anywhere. She just wanted to cheer because it was what she liked to do.
Courtland is raised in a very strict household. They take sex before marriage very seriously. Courtland has never kissed a boy or been touched inappropriately, so she doesn't know what to expect from her new boyfriend. He's a boy and the star of a basketball team so I'm sure he has had plenty of girlfriends and has already had sex.
Allen told her if she loved him she would give it up. So now she's wondering if she should give it up. she doesn't want to be talked about or be a chicken. She wants to remain popular, but she also doesn't want to break her vows at church or disappoint her family and friends. As we all know peer pressure is something else but she remained calm and stayed celibate. she did not allow her lust for him to override her love for what she promised and vowed to her family.
We could all learn from this book. men just want your drawls and don't want relationships. as soon as you give it up they're gone. It is important to respect our body, and never let anyone take it for granted. Ladies keep it together.
In "The Pledge" it is typical highschool life where the cheerleader dates the star basketball player Allen Benson. The only difference is Courtland is not the most popular girl on her cheeleading squad she is actually the total opposite. Courtland is quiet and keeps to herself,has never tried to be more than what she is or fit in anywhere. She just wanted to cheer because it was what she liked to do.
Courtland is raised in a very strict household. They take sex before marriage very seriously. Courtland has never kissed a boy or been touched inappropriately, so she doesn't know what to expect from her new boyfriend. He's a boy and the star of a basketball team so I'm sure he has had plenty of girlfriends and has already had sex.
Allen told her if she loved him she would give it up. So now she's wondering if she should give it up. she doesn't want to be talked about or be a chicken. She wants to remain popular, but she also doesn't want to break her vows at church or disappoint her family and friends. As we all know peer pressure is something else but she remained calm and stayed celibate. she did not allow her lust for him to override her love for what she promised and vowed to her family.
We could all learn from this book. men just want your drawls and don't want relationships. as soon as you give it up they're gone. It is important to respect our body, and never let anyone take it for granted. Ladies keep it together.
November 9, 2022
The Pledge
Courtland will be starting her junior year at Grover High. Now that she’s lost weight, has been working out, and gotten popular she looks forward to her 17th birthday coming up so she can start dating. The guy that’s caught her eye is popular, basketball, player Allen Benson. Courtland is given the wrong English class and finds out Allen is in the class. He flunked the class last year and now has to take double classes). Allen slides Courtland a note that says I GUESS YOUR STUCK WITH ME. After practice, Allen comes up to Courtland and asks for her number just in case he needs help studying English. As they wait for her ride, she tells him about Worth the Wai (a church organization that teaches young women not to have sex before marriage). . He asks if boys can come to the meeting. He even charms her mother into agreeing that if they need to they can practice at Courtland’s house.
Allen calls during practice and sets up a study date (in study hall) for a test he missed. After first game of the season, Courtland goes out with some of the other girls on the squad. She sees Allen and he invites her to have coffee with him, but she has to be home. She notices the girl she came with Candy snubs Allen Candy says she doesn’t wanna know. The next day, Allen stands up to Courtland for their study session. He later apologizes to her, tells her he had a meeting, and that he’ll never do it again. She’s about to let it go but then sees he has a hickey. So, Allen asks Courtland’s mother can they study together *this day* after school and she’s cool with it.
Allen charms Courtland’s mom by telling her he’s active in the church. Mr. Murphy however isn’t impressed and tells Allen he wants him to leave. Allen calmly states his intentions. He wants to date his daughter but he’ll wait until she’s 17 and he needs her help. Then he asks for his permission to allow Courtland to help him study *at school*. Mr. Murphy grudgingly agrees to let him stay. Before dinner, Allen admits that he didn’t come over to study and asks if she’ll be his girlfriend.
Courtland and Allen become the IT couple. Everyone in the family seems to like him. Mr. Murphy comes around and tells Allen he can go out with Courtland but Danni has to go with them. Allen and Courtland decide to go to the Homecoming dance (which they’re allowed to go to alone). On the way there, Allen calls from his mother’s house to check up on her. He ends the call with an I love you. In the mall, when shopping for a necklace for her outfit Courtland explains she’s wearing her purity necklace. Dani doesn’t think much of it or being in a virgin club (even though she tells her Allen likes it). While helping Courtland get ready Candy confesses that she knew a girl that dated Allen that said he hit her. Courtland laughs it off and confirms that he probably called it off with the girl and she’s just saying that to come in between *them*.
Allen takes Courtland to the Empire Club and introduces her to the head coach for the Atlanta Sentinels (the team Allen wants to play for) Miles. Then Dani joins them. Courtland finds out that when they’re about to leave and he pays for the meal that sometimes the recruits hit him off. Courtland doesn’t feel good about this. They then find a place to be alone. Courtland makes out with him a little bit. But then her Daddy’s old partner. Officer Henderson catches them and says to tell her Daddy hello and threatens that he’d better not catch them again. Since they didn’t go to the dance, Courtland calls Candy and she gives her the details what went on at the dance. Allen questions Courtland about how she learned to kiss like that but gets mad at her when she brings up the hickey she saw. He grabs her wrist and tells to never question what he does. He then walks her to the door and kisses her like nothing happened. Her father gives her a strange look and tells her he talked to Officer Henderson. The next day, Allen shows up at church and thanks Courtland “his girlfriend” for inviting him. He apologizes and gives Courtland a huge teddy bear holding a heart that says I Love You. Courtland says that maybe they should take a break, but he just cries harder and says he’ll never do it again and if he does she can leave. So, they get back together.
Allen keeps his word for a minute. He goes to Regionals. He introduces Courtland to his mother. Allen and Courtland talk about his stepparents and how affectionate they are. Allen says they’ve been together 12 years. This leads to Courtland revealing her parents never got married because her dad “didn’t believe in marriage” and how sad she thinks it makes her mom. Allen says they’ll have to invite her to their wedding. He says he does want to spend the rest of his life with Courtland and that even though he’ll be in the NBA next year he’ll send for her every weekend. He wants her wherever he is.
An old friend Nathaniel asks her to tutor him in math. Even tho she’s busy she agrees. Allen finds out and he trips. He makes her promise not to wear practice clothes that show off her body. Then apologizes for his jealousy. Then he starts to trip again when he asks her out Sunday and Courtland reminds him she’s tutoring Nathaniel. He tells her he doesn’t want him in her house. She says its her PARENTS house and if they don’t have a problem with it. He then grabs her and tells her if he finds him over there, he’ll hurt him. Luckily, they’re interrupted by Courtland’s mother and her little siter. Allen asks her out again, but Courtland says no. She cancels with Nathaniel and tells him to ask Bree. He tells her the Courtland he knows wouldn’t let some dude come between her and her friends. She thinks about it, calls Nathaniel back, and says he can still come over. He says he’ll just ask Bree. Courtland realizes she’s been neglecting Bree whose been dating a guy named Allen. Courtland sends Allen a text and breaks up with him.
Allen shows up before school, Courtland gives him all his stuff back and tells him she never wants to talk to him again. He says she’s right and leaves. . Courtland and her mom have a talk about her father and why he doesn’t seem to love her and her sister or her mother. She says the stress of having a woman that he was supposed to protecting got shot in a bank robbery and it turned him into an alcoholic. Her mother says that because of the Corinthians verse about love, she has to believe that her husband will one day be the man she once loved again. , Courland thinks of this and decides God put her in Allen’s life to make him better. So, when he texts she texts him back an I love you and then a Call me. But when they’re out again she sees a hickey on his neck. She says the night they broke up he slept with another girl. Courtland thinks of the verse and says she forgives him but it better not happen again. Later he reveals he slept with another girl that night that night that he thought was eighteen but was fifteen. Now her parents are charging him for underage rape. Some months later she finds out a guy tried to rob them and her father shot and killed him. It was someone their father had arrested. The guy who was with him took some of their things (Corey’s game, some money, Courtland's purity necklace). Dani is also robbed (her car is stolen).
While they’re at the Galleria, Dani slips some earrings in her purse and then acts like she thinks Courtland took them. Courtland sees Allen there and they get back together. Courtland sneaks out to be with Allen but finds out he made a bet for ten dollars with a friend that he’d be the one to break her. back. Allen takes her to a school parking lot and tries to force himself on her, but she shoots him with a dose of pepper spray and takes off running. But then realise she doesn’t know where she is. A driver comes and takes her to Dani’s house but she’s not there. Courtland makes an excuse to her mom and sends Bree to her house to get some clothes. gets the man to drop her at school. Courtland finds out that Bree and Nathaniel are together. Courtland tells Bree and she encourages her to either tell her mom, Andrea or (and) press charges. When the cheerleaders confront her about giving it up, she confronts Bree (and punches her). She’s the only one that knew, but Bree keeps denying it. Candy finds them and tells them Allen was the one who told. The principal calls them into his office. Bree takes the blame but Courtland tells him what really happened. So, Courtland is suspended for three days.
Courtland’s dad picks her up and confesses he’s an alcoholic. He says he realized after the robbery he wants to be a part of his daughter’s life again. Courtland mother tries to get her to open up and gives her some good advice. People will only get away with what you allow them to. So she decides not to keep taking Allen back. Allen leaves three messages apologizing. Miles asks Courtland to go with him to pick out an engagement ring for Dani. Suring sly he’s picked out a smaller ring but he says its all he can afford. He doesn’t make a lot as a coach. He says they’ll go to find something bigger. He sees a picture and starts talking about how much they look alike. Then he says they have the same necklace. It’s the purity necklace. He saw the initials CM and remembers Dani saying she borrowed it. Then he sees a picture of her on his phone and she has on the earrings. Then she thinks that the person who robbed the house had someone else with them. Miles says he has to go so they have to go another time. Dani calls and says she’s about to go to Griffith Park with Miles and that she called earlier. The phone is still there. Miles comes back and says he didn’t talk to Dani.
So, she goes to look for Dani. But Miles beats her to it. Courtland listens as Miles points out she’s never invited him to her house and she always has expensive stuff but she doesn’t work. She says it’s because she’s a terrible housekeeper and the things come from the money she made modeling. Miles then proposes. She then says yes and tells him she’s pregnant. So she goes to see Andrea to give them space.
Someone tries to rob Dani and she ends up in the hospital, She had head trauma and both arms are broken. Courtney finds out that Dani is NOT pregnant and that Miles is going to jail. Allen comes over the next day and tries to get Courtland to go up to her room, but Corey interrupts dropping a glass of juice. Courtland tells him he needs to leave. Then he apologizes and says he’d been drinking. But then her Dad shows up, He realizes what’s been going on after and Courtland finally tells him. He leaves to kill Allen. Then they see on the news he’s under investigation for accepting gifts from recruiters. Courtland finds out from Corey that Allen and Dani were at the park that night making out and then they started fighting. She even has pictures to back it up, She hangs on to the door and he runs over her he gets out sees her, and then gets back in the car. She sees some of the stolen things in her house in the picture (and her necklace) Dani’s going to be ok. The cops find Allen headed for NY and arrest him, They find out Dani’s broke up with Triple T and is now broke and has been stealing to cover. Cortland says she’ll press charges, The next day she and Corey give statements. Coutland’s father proposes to her mother and puts a ring on it.
My Thoughts:
First of all umm noo. “That’s Luscious?” Did he mean Lucious? That just sounds… Moving on! Some things stuck out very strongly to me in “The Pledge”.
Always have to give props to the strong representation of Birmingham Alabama in both “The Pledge” and “The Promise.” It’s shown in abundance in all the locations named and I respect that greatly.
The other thing that stuck out was Courtland and her mother’s talk about how people will only do what you allow them to and if you let them get away with treating you any kind of way and you don’t say anything they will do it again. This stood out to me because it’s something I’ve seen lately that’s really bothered me. But, what *can* you do if the person themselves doesn’t want to confront it? What would Bree have done if she knew about Allen’s abuse? What if Courtland would have told her and said this is just where she wanted to be right now *despite* what was going on?
Then another thing that struck me was what Allen said about how when he dogged her he noticed that was what it took to keep her because she kept running back. That really made me pause because its such an ugly, sad, truth that I’ve also seen that sometimes it does keep people hanging on the harder people push them away and treat them bad. What I found interesting is that as much as I hated Allen he was persistent. So, if a guy made a bet that he could get it from you he probably wouldn’t keep trying over 10.00. Ten dollars really isn’t *anything*. He probably would have just ghosted you (stopped calling, stopped texting, etc, and just pretended they didn’t know you if they saw you). That is if this were really all about just getting some because as I see it guys (I don’t know if this was the case when this book was written) but it seems these days they really don’t have to try very hard to find a pair of legs that will open for them. But I think Allen was confused because he kept trying to get her back and kept trying. Even in the next book, he’s *STILL* pushing up on this girl. So there really is something to be said for being the girl that’s not easy.
Then something hit me when I read these books. It made me realize that. In the past, I feel like I have made many mistakes as a younger woman. I wish that I would have been like Courtland. I did remain “worth the wait” while I was a teenager in high school, but after college not so much. So, in my single status I don’t see it happening that I will marry but I see that I value myself *today* not to be the careless person I once was, and that the next person *will* be the person that puts a ring on my finger. I just can’t see it any other way. So, “The Pledge” and “The Promise” put a very lesson in my head and gave me some much-needed insight about loving myself. Which ironically once a long time ago I did a presentation on for a couple of friends of mine.
Rating: 8
Courtland will be starting her junior year at Grover High. Now that she’s lost weight, has been working out, and gotten popular she looks forward to her 17th birthday coming up so she can start dating. The guy that’s caught her eye is popular, basketball, player Allen Benson. Courtland is given the wrong English class and finds out Allen is in the class. He flunked the class last year and now has to take double classes). Allen slides Courtland a note that says I GUESS YOUR STUCK WITH ME. After practice, Allen comes up to Courtland and asks for her number just in case he needs help studying English. As they wait for her ride, she tells him about Worth the Wai (a church organization that teaches young women not to have sex before marriage). . He asks if boys can come to the meeting. He even charms her mother into agreeing that if they need to they can practice at Courtland’s house.
Allen calls during practice and sets up a study date (in study hall) for a test he missed. After first game of the season, Courtland goes out with some of the other girls on the squad. She sees Allen and he invites her to have coffee with him, but she has to be home. She notices the girl she came with Candy snubs Allen Candy says she doesn’t wanna know. The next day, Allen stands up to Courtland for their study session. He later apologizes to her, tells her he had a meeting, and that he’ll never do it again. She’s about to let it go but then sees he has a hickey. So, Allen asks Courtland’s mother can they study together *this day* after school and she’s cool with it.
Allen charms Courtland’s mom by telling her he’s active in the church. Mr. Murphy however isn’t impressed and tells Allen he wants him to leave. Allen calmly states his intentions. He wants to date his daughter but he’ll wait until she’s 17 and he needs her help. Then he asks for his permission to allow Courtland to help him study *at school*. Mr. Murphy grudgingly agrees to let him stay. Before dinner, Allen admits that he didn’t come over to study and asks if she’ll be his girlfriend.
Courtland and Allen become the IT couple. Everyone in the family seems to like him. Mr. Murphy comes around and tells Allen he can go out with Courtland but Danni has to go with them. Allen and Courtland decide to go to the Homecoming dance (which they’re allowed to go to alone). On the way there, Allen calls from his mother’s house to check up on her. He ends the call with an I love you. In the mall, when shopping for a necklace for her outfit Courtland explains she’s wearing her purity necklace. Dani doesn’t think much of it or being in a virgin club (even though she tells her Allen likes it). While helping Courtland get ready Candy confesses that she knew a girl that dated Allen that said he hit her. Courtland laughs it off and confirms that he probably called it off with the girl and she’s just saying that to come in between *them*.
Allen takes Courtland to the Empire Club and introduces her to the head coach for the Atlanta Sentinels (the team Allen wants to play for) Miles. Then Dani joins them. Courtland finds out that when they’re about to leave and he pays for the meal that sometimes the recruits hit him off. Courtland doesn’t feel good about this. They then find a place to be alone. Courtland makes out with him a little bit. But then her Daddy’s old partner. Officer Henderson catches them and says to tell her Daddy hello and threatens that he’d better not catch them again. Since they didn’t go to the dance, Courtland calls Candy and she gives her the details what went on at the dance. Allen questions Courtland about how she learned to kiss like that but gets mad at her when she brings up the hickey she saw. He grabs her wrist and tells to never question what he does. He then walks her to the door and kisses her like nothing happened. Her father gives her a strange look and tells her he talked to Officer Henderson. The next day, Allen shows up at church and thanks Courtland “his girlfriend” for inviting him. He apologizes and gives Courtland a huge teddy bear holding a heart that says I Love You. Courtland says that maybe they should take a break, but he just cries harder and says he’ll never do it again and if he does she can leave. So, they get back together.
Allen keeps his word for a minute. He goes to Regionals. He introduces Courtland to his mother. Allen and Courtland talk about his stepparents and how affectionate they are. Allen says they’ve been together 12 years. This leads to Courtland revealing her parents never got married because her dad “didn’t believe in marriage” and how sad she thinks it makes her mom. Allen says they’ll have to invite her to their wedding. He says he does want to spend the rest of his life with Courtland and that even though he’ll be in the NBA next year he’ll send for her every weekend. He wants her wherever he is.
An old friend Nathaniel asks her to tutor him in math. Even tho she’s busy she agrees. Allen finds out and he trips. He makes her promise not to wear practice clothes that show off her body. Then apologizes for his jealousy. Then he starts to trip again when he asks her out Sunday and Courtland reminds him she’s tutoring Nathaniel. He tells her he doesn’t want him in her house. She says its her PARENTS house and if they don’t have a problem with it. He then grabs her and tells her if he finds him over there, he’ll hurt him. Luckily, they’re interrupted by Courtland’s mother and her little siter. Allen asks her out again, but Courtland says no. She cancels with Nathaniel and tells him to ask Bree. He tells her the Courtland he knows wouldn’t let some dude come between her and her friends. She thinks about it, calls Nathaniel back, and says he can still come over. He says he’ll just ask Bree. Courtland realizes she’s been neglecting Bree whose been dating a guy named Allen. Courtland sends Allen a text and breaks up with him.
Allen shows up before school, Courtland gives him all his stuff back and tells him she never wants to talk to him again. He says she’s right and leaves. . Courtland and her mom have a talk about her father and why he doesn’t seem to love her and her sister or her mother. She says the stress of having a woman that he was supposed to protecting got shot in a bank robbery and it turned him into an alcoholic. Her mother says that because of the Corinthians verse about love, she has to believe that her husband will one day be the man she once loved again. , Courland thinks of this and decides God put her in Allen’s life to make him better. So, when he texts she texts him back an I love you and then a Call me. But when they’re out again she sees a hickey on his neck. She says the night they broke up he slept with another girl. Courtland thinks of the verse and says she forgives him but it better not happen again. Later he reveals he slept with another girl that night that night that he thought was eighteen but was fifteen. Now her parents are charging him for underage rape. Some months later she finds out a guy tried to rob them and her father shot and killed him. It was someone their father had arrested. The guy who was with him took some of their things (Corey’s game, some money, Courtland's purity necklace). Dani is also robbed (her car is stolen).
While they’re at the Galleria, Dani slips some earrings in her purse and then acts like she thinks Courtland took them. Courtland sees Allen there and they get back together. Courtland sneaks out to be with Allen but finds out he made a bet for ten dollars with a friend that he’d be the one to break her. back. Allen takes her to a school parking lot and tries to force himself on her, but she shoots him with a dose of pepper spray and takes off running. But then realise she doesn’t know where she is. A driver comes and takes her to Dani’s house but she’s not there. Courtland makes an excuse to her mom and sends Bree to her house to get some clothes. gets the man to drop her at school. Courtland finds out that Bree and Nathaniel are together. Courtland tells Bree and she encourages her to either tell her mom, Andrea or (and) press charges. When the cheerleaders confront her about giving it up, she confronts Bree (and punches her). She’s the only one that knew, but Bree keeps denying it. Candy finds them and tells them Allen was the one who told. The principal calls them into his office. Bree takes the blame but Courtland tells him what really happened. So, Courtland is suspended for three days.
Courtland’s dad picks her up and confesses he’s an alcoholic. He says he realized after the robbery he wants to be a part of his daughter’s life again. Courtland mother tries to get her to open up and gives her some good advice. People will only get away with what you allow them to. So she decides not to keep taking Allen back. Allen leaves three messages apologizing. Miles asks Courtland to go with him to pick out an engagement ring for Dani. Suring sly he’s picked out a smaller ring but he says its all he can afford. He doesn’t make a lot as a coach. He says they’ll go to find something bigger. He sees a picture and starts talking about how much they look alike. Then he says they have the same necklace. It’s the purity necklace. He saw the initials CM and remembers Dani saying she borrowed it. Then he sees a picture of her on his phone and she has on the earrings. Then she thinks that the person who robbed the house had someone else with them. Miles says he has to go so they have to go another time. Dani calls and says she’s about to go to Griffith Park with Miles and that she called earlier. The phone is still there. Miles comes back and says he didn’t talk to Dani.
So, she goes to look for Dani. But Miles beats her to it. Courtland listens as Miles points out she’s never invited him to her house and she always has expensive stuff but she doesn’t work. She says it’s because she’s a terrible housekeeper and the things come from the money she made modeling. Miles then proposes. She then says yes and tells him she’s pregnant. So she goes to see Andrea to give them space.
Someone tries to rob Dani and she ends up in the hospital, She had head trauma and both arms are broken. Courtney finds out that Dani is NOT pregnant and that Miles is going to jail. Allen comes over the next day and tries to get Courtland to go up to her room, but Corey interrupts dropping a glass of juice. Courtland tells him he needs to leave. Then he apologizes and says he’d been drinking. But then her Dad shows up, He realizes what’s been going on after and Courtland finally tells him. He leaves to kill Allen. Then they see on the news he’s under investigation for accepting gifts from recruiters. Courtland finds out from Corey that Allen and Dani were at the park that night making out and then they started fighting. She even has pictures to back it up, She hangs on to the door and he runs over her he gets out sees her, and then gets back in the car. She sees some of the stolen things in her house in the picture (and her necklace) Dani’s going to be ok. The cops find Allen headed for NY and arrest him, They find out Dani’s broke up with Triple T and is now broke and has been stealing to cover. Cortland says she’ll press charges, The next day she and Corey give statements. Coutland’s father proposes to her mother and puts a ring on it.
My Thoughts:
First of all umm noo. “That’s Luscious?” Did he mean Lucious? That just sounds… Moving on! Some things stuck out very strongly to me in “The Pledge”.
Always have to give props to the strong representation of Birmingham Alabama in both “The Pledge” and “The Promise.” It’s shown in abundance in all the locations named and I respect that greatly.
The other thing that stuck out was Courtland and her mother’s talk about how people will only do what you allow them to and if you let them get away with treating you any kind of way and you don’t say anything they will do it again. This stood out to me because it’s something I’ve seen lately that’s really bothered me. But, what *can* you do if the person themselves doesn’t want to confront it? What would Bree have done if she knew about Allen’s abuse? What if Courtland would have told her and said this is just where she wanted to be right now *despite* what was going on?
Then another thing that struck me was what Allen said about how when he dogged her he noticed that was what it took to keep her because she kept running back. That really made me pause because its such an ugly, sad, truth that I’ve also seen that sometimes it does keep people hanging on the harder people push them away and treat them bad. What I found interesting is that as much as I hated Allen he was persistent. So, if a guy made a bet that he could get it from you he probably wouldn’t keep trying over 10.00. Ten dollars really isn’t *anything*. He probably would have just ghosted you (stopped calling, stopped texting, etc, and just pretended they didn’t know you if they saw you). That is if this were really all about just getting some because as I see it guys (I don’t know if this was the case when this book was written) but it seems these days they really don’t have to try very hard to find a pair of legs that will open for them. But I think Allen was confused because he kept trying to get her back and kept trying. Even in the next book, he’s *STILL* pushing up on this girl. So there really is something to be said for being the girl that’s not easy.
Then something hit me when I read these books. It made me realize that. In the past, I feel like I have made many mistakes as a younger woman. I wish that I would have been like Courtland. I did remain “worth the wait” while I was a teenager in high school, but after college not so much. So, in my single status I don’t see it happening that I will marry but I see that I value myself *today* not to be the careless person I once was, and that the next person *will* be the person that puts a ring on my finger. I just can’t see it any other way. So, “The Pledge” and “The Promise” put a very lesson in my head and gave me some much-needed insight about loving myself. Which ironically once a long time ago I did a presentation on for a couple of friends of mine.
Rating: 8
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2012
This book is about a girl named Courtland and she's the co-captain of her cheerleading squad but she's also insecure since she was once overweight and her father pays very little attention to her. She has a crush on the star basketball player named Allen and is surprised when her dreams come true and he asks her out and they start dating. Soon their relationship goes bad because he's very abusive towards her and also cheats on her. Eventually he tells her that he had a bet with his friends that he can get her into bed and he never really liked her and ended up trying to rape her. She finds out that he also cheated on her with her aunt who he got very abusive with when she lied and said she's pregnant. I liked this book but I gave it 3 stars because it got way too overdramatic towards the end with the stuff about the aunt and him trying to rape her. I also wasn't convinced that he was just using her for a bet since if he was I don't think he would have been so jealous and possessive over a girl he didn't really care about in the first place. I don't know if that is bad writing or if it will be explored in the sequel book. I'm also annoyed how in a lot of these african american YA books the sole white girl in the book has to be a groupie. But anyway overall it's okay but not great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2010
Courtland Murphy is a 16 year old girl, co-captian of her school's cheerleading squad. When the cutest boy in school asks her out, her world is flipped upside down. Allen, Courtland's new boyfriend, is the sweetest boy to her parents, but has some anger issues when it comes to Courtland and other boys. Courtland doesn't know what she should do.
I can make a text to text connection, in Dreamland by Sarah Dessen, Caitlin's boyfriend hurts her two, only in a more severe way. He punches, and slaps her. But they end up safe, and single.
I gave this book 4 stars. This book had a lot of twists, and the reasoning behind Allen asking Courtland out. It was a long story, and she regrets ever saying yes. Oh Highschool
I can make a text to text connection, in Dreamland by Sarah Dessen, Caitlin's boyfriend hurts her two, only in a more severe way. He punches, and slaps her. But they end up safe, and single.
I gave this book 4 stars. This book had a lot of twists, and the reasoning behind Allen asking Courtland out. It was a long story, and she regrets ever saying yes. Oh Highschool
Read
April 2, 2009listen to your friends before you listen to some guy. this is exactly what happened to a young teenager who thought everyone was just jealous of a her because she had a senior basketball champion as her boyfriend. how naive of her. at first this book was extremely a drag. it took me an amount of time to finish it. at first i was going to stop reading it that is how boring it was. towards the end thats when everything started to occur. leaving you with a mystery to figure out on your own you get the feeling you are sitting right there in the scene. you can picture everything happening as if you are watching the movie
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July 22, 2010My second novel--released October 2008.
December 16, 2010
Woow This book was filled with surprises and drama!
June 9, 2020
This is an excellent book and a great read for teenagers. It shows a young woman in a relationship that isn't ideal, and she keeps trying to tell herself that it's okay, and that it's normal. It's a book of discovery and hard lessons and quite touching. The entire time you're rooting for the main character. I really enjoyed this book.
February 20, 2018
It was a good book! I love learning something new from each books I read.
August 23, 2019
Excellent book for pre-teen and teenage girls! I loved it! :)
September 13, 2024
I don't even know how to feel there was so many emotions.
February 7, 2018
I knew there would be peer pressure about sex but it turns out that's barely scratching the surface of what courtland faces. As a cheerleader, she has to balance practice and games with school. Plus some people like her now just because she's on the squad while others are looking to tear her down to build themselves up. Courtland used to look up to and like Dani but lately Dani's been doing and saying things that make Courtland uncomfortable. Before the story ends, she'll grow up a lot and question almost all the plans and decisions shed thought she'd already made.
August 6, 2011
this girl named Courtland Murphy was the cheerleaders co-captain at Grover HighSchool and she had a crush on an all star baskettball player named Allen Benson, so on the first day of school Courtland had got her schedule for the school year and they gave her the wrong english class, she was going to change it, but she decided to be more avanced. Then she found out that Allen was in her class, he sat next to her and started talking to her about how he's going to flunk english because her already flunked it twice, so her asked her if she could tutor her, and she agreed. The next day was her first time tutoring Allen, but he didn't show, when she did see him he had a hickey on hi8s neck Courtland didn't say nothing and just pretended to not notice it. That same day Allen asked her mother if he could come over so she could tutor him, at first her mother didn't think its a good idea because her dad was over protective because he was a cop, so Allen convinced her mom to let him come over abnd she gave in because he started tio sweet talk her mom. When they got to Courtlands house, Allen,Courtland,and her little 8 year old sister Cory were studing at the kitchen table, until her dad came in and told Allen her had to leave because Courtland wasn't aloud to date,but it wasn't a date. Then he told Courtland he wanted to date her, but her parents said she wasn't aloud top date until she was 17, but her mom said it was ok becasuse Allen was a nice guy until further into the story. A couple of later her Auntie Dani was a modle in NewYork, so she was visiting her family. When Courtland was on her way to her Worth to Wait meeting, it was a gathering that girls who didn't loose there virgnity or who has lost it and tried to find there way to the right pat,so she wears this purity necklace to show that her virginty was pure to her, her Auntie thought it was stupid. So she asked her group a question "if you love someone alot would you have sex with them" her group was suprised about a most of the people knew that she was talking about Allen, her group leader Andrea gave her advice. so the next day Allen took he on a date(and her aunt tagged along too)it was a double date cause Allern brung somebody for her Auntie, an baskettball couch named Miles. After that her and Allen went to the park and made out, but a police man caught her and he knew her father so she left and went home they were talking and she said somthing that made him grab her wrist really hard and after a few days he apolized to her she forgave him and went back to him. but he picked her one day and told her that he only went with her for ten dollars and Courtland started to get out the car but her grabbeds her again and spead off so fast he tried to kill them so he stopped and tried to rape her but she sprayed pepper spray in his eyes so she ran far enough that a man picked her up and dropped her off at mcdonalds and her friend Bre brought her some stuff top change into so she kept the secret until her auntie got caught bad Cory the little sister snuck around her auntie getting beat by Allen which caused Auntie Dani to have two broken arms and badly brused, because Allen beat her cause she told him that she was pregnant and her beat her and ran her over with his car and Cory recored everything. So Courtland told her dad everything that happened and they pressed charges against him and thats the end of Allens baskettball career, and Auntie dani survived
December 9, 2021
I love this book.
LET ME JUST SAY A HEAD OF TIME: TW, MENTIONS OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
This was a really good book. It's a Christian novel somewhat, but it's not in the Christian category for some reason?? Anyway, it's extremely enjoyable and there is a lot of realism.
A lot of points that made me mad, with what Allen was doing. But then I continued reading because I had to remember this: There are people in the world like this.
Basically what happened in this was, Courtland had no idea. She was blind sighted. Living by those rules that her auntie tells her; If a guy hits you, he's just stressed, he loves you, etc; which is what causes her to not realize what was going on. The writing style Chandra uses this is amazing. She had to have contacted at least one person who has experienced Sexual Assault, because this was way too detailed somewhat. Not in a bad way, though. But he had gotten closer, made her feel safe around him. Allowed her to feel nice around him, feel like she could let her guard down. But a few months into their relationship, he changes. He begins hitting her, grabbing her arm. Being jealous constantly, like accusing her of dating another person. And soon enough, he apologized, saying he was sorry. Saying he wouldn't do it again, gaining her trust once again.
What's a coincidence is right as I began reading this, my Dynamics class began a lesson on Abusive Relationships. The stages, the situations, and examples, all of it happened in this book. All of it.
He constantly teased her, bothering her about how she wanted to stay abstinent. Every time he touched her, she'd say stop, then he'd get offended.
Allen cheated on her. A lot. But the moment she said anything, he hurt her. This is where he began to become abusive. He hurt her wrist, her arms, her body. Everything.
She felt as she should forgive him. Every time he put his hands on her, she would feel as she should tell. Then eventually she would begin to feel bad. 'He's just stressed out.'
I also had learned in this class that rape and assault survivors feel like it's their fault: Which is something you see throughout this book.
This is a really good book, and I recommend for anyone to read. Even if you don't like Christian novels, or anything related, you just should. It informs of the world, and what goes on. What people go through on a daily basis, and how they feel.
LET ME JUST SAY A HEAD OF TIME: TW, MENTIONS OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
This was a really good book. It's a Christian novel somewhat, but it's not in the Christian category for some reason?? Anyway, it's extremely enjoyable and there is a lot of realism.
A lot of points that made me mad, with what Allen was doing. But then I continued reading because I had to remember this: There are people in the world like this.
Basically what happened in this was, Courtland had no idea. She was blind sighted. Living by those rules that her auntie tells her; If a guy hits you, he's just stressed, he loves you, etc; which is what causes her to not realize what was going on. The writing style Chandra uses this is amazing. She had to have contacted at least one person who has experienced Sexual Assault, because this was way too detailed somewhat. Not in a bad way, though. But he had gotten closer, made her feel safe around him. Allowed her to feel nice around him, feel like she could let her guard down. But a few months into their relationship, he changes. He begins hitting her, grabbing her arm. Being jealous constantly, like accusing her of dating another person. And soon enough, he apologized, saying he was sorry. Saying he wouldn't do it again, gaining her trust once again.
What's a coincidence is right as I began reading this, my Dynamics class began a lesson on Abusive Relationships. The stages, the situations, and examples, all of it happened in this book. All of it.
He constantly teased her, bothering her about how she wanted to stay abstinent. Every time he touched her, she'd say stop, then he'd get offended.
Allen cheated on her. A lot. But the moment she said anything, he hurt her. This is where he began to become abusive. He hurt her wrist, her arms, her body. Everything.
She felt as she should forgive him. Every time he put his hands on her, she would feel as she should tell. Then eventually she would begin to feel bad. 'He's just stressed out.'
I also had learned in this class that rape and assault survivors feel like it's their fault: Which is something you see throughout this book.
This is a really good book, and I recommend for anyone to read. Even if you don't like Christian novels, or anything related, you just should. It informs of the world, and what goes on. What people go through on a daily basis, and how they feel.
Read
May 9, 2013Most teenage girls are told to keep there virgintiy, but not very many are taught to do that. I know as a teenager coming up i was just always told to use a condom and protect myself. I was never told to value my virginty or take pride in it because once its gone you cant get it back.I would advice any teenage girl that hasnt lost their virginity to read this book, because it would give them more of an understanding as to why they need to value their virginity.
In "The Pledge" it is typical highschool life where the cheerleader dates the star basketball player Allen Benson. The only difference is Courtland is not the most popular girl on her cheeleading squad she is actually the total opposite. Courtland is quiet and keeps to herself,has never tried to be more than what she is or fit in anywhere. She just wanted to cheer because it was what she liked to do.
Courtland is raised in a very strict household. They take sex before marriage very seriously. Courtland has never kissed a boy or been touched inappropriately, so she doesn't know what to expect from her new boyfriend. He's a boy and the star of a basketball team so I'm sure he has had plenty of girlfriends and has already had sex.
Allen told her if she loved him she would give it up. So now she's wondering if she should give it up. she doesn't want to be talked about or be a chicken. She wants to remain popular, but she also doesn't want to break her vows at church or disappoint her family and friends. As we all know peer pressure is something else but she remained calm and stayed celibate. she did not allow her lust for him to override her love for what she promised and vowed to her family.
We could all learn from this book. men just want your drawls and don't want relationships. as soon as you give it up they're gone. It is important to respect our body, and never let anyone take it for granted. Ladies keep it together.
In "The Pledge" it is typical highschool life where the cheerleader dates the star basketball player Allen Benson. The only difference is Courtland is not the most popular girl on her cheeleading squad she is actually the total opposite. Courtland is quiet and keeps to herself,has never tried to be more than what she is or fit in anywhere. She just wanted to cheer because it was what she liked to do.
Courtland is raised in a very strict household. They take sex before marriage very seriously. Courtland has never kissed a boy or been touched inappropriately, so she doesn't know what to expect from her new boyfriend. He's a boy and the star of a basketball team so I'm sure he has had plenty of girlfriends and has already had sex.
Allen told her if she loved him she would give it up. So now she's wondering if she should give it up. she doesn't want to be talked about or be a chicken. She wants to remain popular, but she also doesn't want to break her vows at church or disappoint her family and friends. As we all know peer pressure is something else but she remained calm and stayed celibate. she did not allow her lust for him to override her love for what she promised and vowed to her family.
We could all learn from this book. men just want your drawls and don't want relationships. as soon as you give it up they're gone. It is important to respect our body, and never let anyone take it for granted. Ladies keep it together.
Read
December 10, 2013Most teenage girls are told to keep there pocket books to theirselves, but not very many are taught to do that. I know as a teenager coming up i was just always told to use a condom and protect myself. I was never told to value my virginty or take pride in it because once its gone you cant get it back.I would advice any teenage girl that hasnt lost their virginity to read this book, because it would give them more of an understanding as to why they need to value their virginity.
In The Pledge it is typical highschool life where the cheerleader dates the star basketball player Allen Benson. The only difference is Courtland is not the most popular girl on her cheeleading squad she is actually the total opposite. Courtland is quiet and keeps to herself,has never tried to be more than what she is or fit in anywhere. She just wanted to cheer because it was what she liked to do.
Courtland is raised in a very strict household. They take sex before marriage very seriously. Courtland has never kissed a boy or been touched inappropriately, so she doesn't know what to expect from her new boyfriend. He's a boy and the star of a basketball team so I'm sure he has had plenty of girlfriends and has already had sex.
Allen told her if she loved him she would give it up. So now she's wondering if she should give it up. she doesn't want to be talked about or be a chicken. She wants to remain popular, but she also doesn't want to break her vows at church or disappoint her family and friends. As we all know peer pressure is something else but she remained calm and stayed celibate. she did not allow her lust for him to override her love for what she promised and vowed to her family.
We could all learn from this book. men just want your drawls and don't want relationships. as soon as you give it up they're gone. It is important to respect our body, and never let anyone take it for granted. Ladies keep it together.
In The Pledge it is typical highschool life where the cheerleader dates the star basketball player Allen Benson. The only difference is Courtland is not the most popular girl on her cheeleading squad she is actually the total opposite. Courtland is quiet and keeps to herself,has never tried to be more than what she is or fit in anywhere. She just wanted to cheer because it was what she liked to do.
Courtland is raised in a very strict household. They take sex before marriage very seriously. Courtland has never kissed a boy or been touched inappropriately, so she doesn't know what to expect from her new boyfriend. He's a boy and the star of a basketball team so I'm sure he has had plenty of girlfriends and has already had sex.
Allen told her if she loved him she would give it up. So now she's wondering if she should give it up. she doesn't want to be talked about or be a chicken. She wants to remain popular, but she also doesn't want to break her vows at church or disappoint her family and friends. As we all know peer pressure is something else but she remained calm and stayed celibate. she did not allow her lust for him to override her love for what she promised and vowed to her family.
We could all learn from this book. men just want your drawls and don't want relationships. as soon as you give it up they're gone. It is important to respect our body, and never let anyone take it for granted. Ladies keep it together.
March 8, 2016
Courtland is a 16 year old cheerleader who is very insecure and doesn't have any kind of love life. She isn't allowed to date until she's 17 which is only in a few months. All of that changes when she finally gets the chance to talk to the star player of her school's basketball team, Allen Benson. She was in love with him before they ever talked and was even more in love now that they were dating. He seemed so perfect but his attitude towards Courtland changed and his real intentions became clear.
Chandra Sparks Taylor did a great job with showing readers the red flags in relationships that we sometimes don't notice. I also liked the way she portrayed Allen's character as nice and very lovable but how quickly his attitude can change. I didn't like that she didn't go in detail more about Courtland dad's depression. I also didn't like that she didn't give more of Courtland's friends opinion of her relationship.
I liked the overall message in the story the most but i really didn't like that the intro seemed very long. Although, I would recommend this book to teen girls who are dealing with an abusive relationship and need some sort of advise about what to do.
Chandra Sparks Taylor did a great job with showing readers the red flags in relationships that we sometimes don't notice. I also liked the way she portrayed Allen's character as nice and very lovable but how quickly his attitude can change. I didn't like that she didn't go in detail more about Courtland dad's depression. I also didn't like that she didn't give more of Courtland's friends opinion of her relationship.
I liked the overall message in the story the most but i really didn't like that the intro seemed very long. Although, I would recommend this book to teen girls who are dealing with an abusive relationship and need some sort of advise about what to do.
June 11, 2010
The Pledge is about this teenager named Courtland Murphy. She always had a crush on the most popular boy Allen. Then there was this one day, where he asked Courtland if she can tutor him in math and english. Allen's main purpose was to ask her out. Once Courtland got her permission in going out with Allen. Everything in her life starts to change. She realized the lies behind the relationship and Allen's true self.
I can make a text to text connection because in the book
Darkness Before Dawn By Sharon Draper, Keisha was also abused by her new boyfriend Jonathan, just like Courtland gettin abused by Allen. Therefore, i can also make a text to world connections because I know many people in this world may also have been abused before.
I rate this book 5 stars, because this book was interesting, and fun. At every page, it would attract me to contiune reading to know what happened in each plot. I recommend this book to teens who likes books with the genre drama.
I can make a text to text connection because in the book
Darkness Before Dawn By Sharon Draper, Keisha was also abused by her new boyfriend Jonathan, just like Courtland gettin abused by Allen. Therefore, i can also make a text to world connections because I know many people in this world may also have been abused before.
I rate this book 5 stars, because this book was interesting, and fun. At every page, it would attract me to contiune reading to know what happened in each plot. I recommend this book to teens who likes books with the genre drama.
October 4, 2009
i absolutely love this book. its so amazing. this book is a worth the wait novel. its about a girl names courtland and how she is going through many drama and issues a common teen would go through. how her first date is with a guy she thought she can trust, and he is really a person no girl wants to date. also her parents are having trouble. her father is an achololist and tries to recover. courtland's boyfriend allen beats her and secretly dates her aunt which he also beats. see this book is so good i wont even continue. you have to read this if you have just read this comment. it is very good.
March 13, 2009
This book is awesome it tells shows how a girl can be this fat girl that no one knows to a slim head cheerleader that is dating the most popular boy in school. She goes through a lot of stuff with her boyfriend that maybe some teenagers are going through today. For example, Cortland is in a church group that says she has to stay pure until she is married but she has obstacles that has her questioning her purity. This book will be good for teenagers because everything Cortland went through a teen may be going through right now.
December 9, 2010
dis book waz really gud i really like the book idt waz excellent n i think erbody else who reads dis book will lyke it to i luved really i am said dhat allen waznt da ryte one for her but she shuld have knew dhat from da first tyme dhat he put hiz hands on here and she have knew somthing was up with her auntie and her boyfrewnd her aunt alwayz was askin bout him and idk but they are lucky that they had found out what had happen to her auntie
November 30, 2015
This Book was my life when I was reading it.. I couldn't put it down for nothing, every time I put it down I just picked it back up, that's how good the book was.. The end was the most fun part for me because it was a shocker, it just blew my mind... I think it was the most Awesome book I have ever read.. It was just Lit.. I was so happy when her little sister told the truth, because I didn't want to see a incent men go down for nothing. The author should write more books like this .. Love it
September 19, 2009
The Pledge is a really good book about a girl named Courtland who couldn't decide whether or not to have sex with her boyfirend, Allen Benson. There were alot of twist and turns in the story that shocked me little, but then again all made sense. I highly recommend this book to every teen who's curious about the misconseptions of sex and what it leads to.
March 7, 2012
This book was very dramalisious. She made a pact to stay a virgin till marrige and thats what she should do.Growing up from a strict house hold, and on a worth-the-wait club don't question. This book was very intertaining and had many school and home problems. More than enough for 1 17 yr.old girl.She should know whats wrong and right. Well written.
June 19, 2015
Amazing!!!!
Chandra is an amazing writer. My students were completely glued to this book as well as the tutor counselors in our summer program. This book is filled with twists and turns, and is filled with life lessons that are transformative for young adults and adults alike! Great job, Chandra!
Chandra is an amazing writer. My students were completely glued to this book as well as the tutor counselors in our summer program. This book is filled with twists and turns, and is filled with life lessons that are transformative for young adults and adults alike! Great job, Chandra!
March 27, 2009
This book was AWESOME!!! If you are a parent of a teenager or preteen, this book is good to help open the discussion of peer pressure towards sex and teenage relationships. It is also a good book for a girls club.
January 14, 2024
This book really inspired me,because it speak to a lot of young girl about sex and boy's and how boy's can use a girl for what he wants and how your virginity is gods precious gifted and don't let a boy ever put his hands on you.
May 28, 2009
Whoaaaa! Now this book had a lot of drama and problems in it. Addressing the topic of abusive relationships and family connections.
I really did enjoy this book, I did not want the book to be over.
I really did enjoy this book, I did not want the book to be over.
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