L. Divine, Culture Clash

Culture Clash

L. Divine

Kensington Dafina, Feb 2010, $9.95

ISBN: 9780758231116

At South Bay High in Compton, California, Jayd Jackson is upset with how the school ignores Cultural Awareness Day beyond platitudes. Used to taking charge, Jayd persuades her friends to form the African Student Union, which leads to outrage from racists.

Jayd also learns she loves driving but not just her vehicle; she enjoys racing cars though her Bayou grandmother Mama Lynn Mae wants her to ease off the accelerator of boys and not just hot rods. On the other hand her mom Lynn Marie telepathically encourages her daughter to take chances but to do so knowing the risk. Finally there is the Latino newcomer Emilio who shares her attraction as mama fears her beloved granddaughter is heading for a big hurt as the males in her life like Rah and KJ have done before.

The latest Drama High teen tale is a fast-paced entry that gives new hope that Mom and Jayd have found men who will not cause the big hurt that Mama anticipates will happen to both of them. The support cast is as always fully developed and filled with drama queens and kings who make life for the heroine interesting but complicated. Although newcomers would be better off starting with book one (see The Fight) to learn how far Jayd and the gang have come in this divine series, Culture Clash is another strong character driven story as L. Divine emphasizes successful relationships need nurturing and caring attention or they atrophy.

Harriet Klausner