James II: A Young Man with an Unplanned Future by Eleanor Liggens is about a poor black man and how he sees life. He is raised in the South and is truly loved by his mother. His mother teaches him that money doesn’t give you love it is what is in your heart and how you express yourself and spend time with those you love. He ends up going through some ups and downs in life and forgets the lessons that his moms taught him.

Eventually, he remembers them but can he turn things around? Does he make things right for his family? This is a heart-pulling story that touches your soul and pulls at your heartstrings. It really makes you think and brings up racism and how it changes people’s lives. It is a good book for teens to learn about how life choices change you and how you treat others truly affect them.