A Matter of Trust

A favorite series of my lower-level readers in middle school, this is the first time I'm touching Bluford. The amount of divergent, yet related, plots encompassed in such a short book was admirable. Given that the book is classed as hi-lo, the language was fairly standard with a good smattering of more complex sentence structures and a decent amount of higher level vocabulary. I can see why this is so popular. Darcy was a relatable character with exceptionally relatable issues. None of the solutions to her issues are spoon-fed to the audience fable or parable-style, instead allowing the reader to find their own solutions. The ending was ambiguous, but in such a way that it's actually kind of fulfilling.

In this Bluford High book, protagonist Darcy is dealing with relationship issues at school and at home. She’s had a falling out with her former best friend, who also seems to be competing with her for the attention of Hakeem, the boy she likes. At home, she’s caring for an ailing grandmother and coming to terms with the reappearance of her father, who’s been absent for five years. In addition to Darcy’s own trust of her father, she is watching her mother closely as a model for handling the complications of her budding romance with Hakeem. As expected in the series, there are overt but not preachy moral messages; this book emphasizes the need for women to be independent financially and emotionally in their relationships. There is show more a subplot of cruel behavior directed at Hakeem by some kids at school, which culminates in a drive-by shooting, but the details are not gratuitous, and the episode stirs empathy in Darcy and Hakeem to turn the other cheek and reach out to the various people in their lives with whom they’ve had strained relationships. Because of the emphasis on relationships, this Bluford title may appeal more to girls than boys, but, as the second book in the series, it is a must-have for a Bluford collection. show less

This title is part of the Bluford High series, a hi-lo collection that features urban black high school students and their life issues and challenges. In this book Darcy is attracted to Hakeem but her former best friend Brisana seems to also be after him. At home, Darcy is uncertain about her father’s desire to return to the family after a five-year absence. No real cultural flavor here but more a treatment of typical teen issues.

A Matter of Trust is one of several books in the Bluford High series. Darcy is a girl in high school who is learning to deal with many issues. First she thinks her worst enemy is trying to steal her boyfriend, but as it turns out, she is just trying to win Darcy's friendship all over again. Then she is trying to forgive her father for running out on the family. Eventually she does and she and her dad become close again. There is a guy who bullies her boyfriend, Hakeem because he has a speech impairment. During a party Hakeem and Roylin, the bully start to fight and someone drives by and shoots Roy. That changes Roy. He stops bullying Hakeem. This book is definitely recommend for middle and school because of its content.

This book is about a conflict between two best friends. The main character's best friend falls in love with the main characters boyfriend. This is a good book for middle school for young adults to reason friendships and relationships. I wouldn't read this in the classroom. This is good for personal reading.

The novel, A matter of Trust by Anne Schraff describes how a teenage girl has a boyfriend who sutters. In the beginning Darcy struggles with everyone at school who makes fun of her boyfriend, saying she could do way better. Throughtout the middle she thought of a way to get her boyfriend Hakeem to get rid of his suttering problem by joining a talent show. By the end she learned that ( I didn't get to the end )
Read 115 pages out of 125pages in the book.

This book is fit for my standards.