"Hysterical. I couldn't put it down." (Nic Stone) "I laughed, I gasped, I church grunted through every chapter." (Tiffany D. Jackson) "Heartfelt and hilarious on every page!" (Justin A. Reynolds)
4 starred reviews! * An Indie Next List Pick! * Named one of Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year!
Two-time Edgar Award finalist Lamar Giles spotlights the consequences of societal pressure, confronts toxic masculinity, and explores the complexity of what it means to be a "real man."
Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she's finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del's right behind her. Though he quickly realizes he's inadvertently signed up for a Purity Pledge.
His dad thinks his wires are crossed, and his best friend, Qwan, doesn't believe any girl is worth the long game. But Del's not about to lose his dream girl, and that's where fellow pledger Jameer comes in. He can put in the good word. In exchange, Del just has to get answers to the Pledgers' questions...about sex ed.
With other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del needs to make his move fast. But as he plots and plans, he neglects to ask the most important question: What does Kiera want He can't think about that too much, though, because once he gets the girl, it'll all sort itself out. Right
"With true-to-life characters and a straightforward handling of sex, including often ignored aspects of male sexuality, Giles's thoughtful, hilarious read offers a timely viewpoint on religion, toxic masculinity, and teen sexuality." (Publishers Weekly, "An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List")
Show more
"Hysterical. I couldn't put it down." (Nic Stone) "I laughed, I gasped, I church grunted through every chapter." (Tiffany D. Jackson) "Heartfelt and hilarious on every page!" (Justin A. Reynolds)
4 starred reviews! * An Indie Next List Pick! * Named one of Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year!
Two-time Edgar Award finalist Lamar Giles spotlights the consequences of societal pressure, confronts toxic masculinity, and explores the complexity of what it means to be a "real man."
Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she's finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del's right behind her. Though he quickly realizes he's inadvertently signed up for a Purity Pledge.
His dad thinks his wires are crossed, and his best friend, Qwan, doesn't believe any girl is worth the long game. But Del's not about to lose his dream girl, and that's where fellow pledger Jameer comes in. He can put in the good word. In exchange, Del just has to get answers to the Pledgers' questions...about sex ed.
With other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del needs to make his move fast. But as he plots and plans, he neglects to ask the most important question: What does Kiera want He can't think about that too much, though, because once he gets the girl, it'll all sort itself out. Right
"With true-to-life characters and a straightforward handling of sex, including often ignored aspects of male sexuality, Giles's thoughtful, hilarious read offers a timely viewpoint on religion, toxic masculinity, and teen sexuality." (Publishers Weekly, "An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List")
Show moreLamar "L. R." Giles writes stories for teens and adults. He's never met a genre he didn't like, having penned science fiction, fantasy, horror, and noir thrillers, among others. He is a Virginia native, a Hopewell High Blue Devil, and an Old Dominion University Monarch. He resides in Chesapeake, Virginia, with his wife.
“A compelling story of young people sorting through conflicting
messages and social pressures around sexuality and relationships.
Powerful.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“The novel takes on teen attitudes toward sex and relationships and
gender power dynamics in a way that is appealing and thought
provoking. Hilariously necessary.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred
review)
“Giles’s thoughtful, hilarious read offers a timely viewpoint on
religion, toxic masculinity, and teen sexuality.” — Publishers
Weekly (starred review)
"With a fresh perspective, Giles takes care to flesh out his full
cast of characters, creating an intricate, multifaceted web of
misogyny and its detrimental impact." — Booklist (starred
review)
“This is a deeply funny and searingly honest look at teen sex,
adults’ anxieties around it, and the toxic masculinity that so
often shapes it.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s
Books
“Holy hell! This was perfect timely read! I laughed, I gasped, I
church grunted through every chapter. Giles is a master at writing
realistic characters that are both flawed and relatable.” — Tiffany
D. Jackson
"Heartfelt and hilarious on every page! Giles is not only
adept at storytelling, he understands what makes us human.” —
Justin A. Reynolds
“Realistic...hysterical. I couldn’t put it down.” — Nic Stone, New
York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin
“Lamar Giles continues to prove he’s untouchable when crafting
unforgettable characters. Readers will laugh hysterically but will
lean in to the novel when Giles takes an honest look into
masculinity and flips the ol’ premise of “boy gets girl.” — Lilliam
Rivera, author of Dealing in Dreams and The
Education of Margot Sanchez
“Not So Pure and Simple manages to put real issues in the
spotlight, like toxic masculinity and societal pressures on youth
while still being a funny, heartfelt, and wildly charming read! Get
ready to hug this book as you’ll be cheering for Del along the
way!” — Jay Coles, author of Tyler Johnson Was Here
“Lamar Giles’s writing is smart, funny, and lit. And he does it
while taking on toxic masculinity. Not since Chris Lynch’s
Inexcusable have I read a more thought-provoking, pull-no-punches
take on what our ‘nice’ boys learn from us as a society. This book
is excellent.” — Tracey Baptiste, author of The Jumbies.
“I love this book! With a voice that’s original, hilarious, and so,
so real, Lamar Giles’ Not So Pure and Simple is an exceptional
treat from the moment it begins, and delivers a satisfying
story all the way to the finish. And I didn’t want it to end.” —
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of Two Naomis
“With realism and humor, Giles paints the complicated, messy
reality that many teens face in navigating sexuality,
relationships, and the conflicting messages they receive from
society.” — Horn Book Magazine
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