Schooling Carmen

Rating:
Summary: Beauty is Only Skin Deep
Review: Carmen DuPre is a beautiful, fair-skinned black woman. If she did not already know this herself, she could not help but know as both men and women often stop her to comment on her beauty. She uses her beauty to manipulate those who she thinks can assist her in getting ahead in life. In this novel, Schooling Carmen by Kathleen Cross, Carmen learns that beauty is only skin deep and she has a long way to become a beautiful person.

Carmen is a school guidance counselor at Overland High School. Her preconceived notions about her Hispanic students guide her as she squashes their future dreams. In fact, her attitude towards the children is the cause of her losing the love of her life, Randall Winston. Carmen, the master manipulator, uses her nerdy co-worker, Eugene, to get an introduction to George Browning, the superintendent of schools. Carmen is anxious to meet this man as he holds the key to her getting away from the poverty-stricken Overland school and into the job as the head guidance counselor at the TAG academy. However, Carmen over estimates her ability to handle Mr. Browning and finds there is a steep price to pay for his assistance.

Carmen's vanity is very much an issue. When her doctor informs her of a serious medical problem that needs immediate attention, Carmen ignores her. Pedro Camacho is the owner of an auto repair shop. When he delivers Carmen's car to her job, without warning, she begins to berate him because she felt he was taking advantage of her and because he is Hispanic. Only after she took a breath and let him talk did she find that she had jumped to conclusions and Pedro had good reasons for not being available for her phone calls. Carmen and Pedro have a chance meeting at the cemetery and when he overhears Carmen telling her father about her medical condition, Pedro Camacho steps in. He assembles Eugene, the one friend who has always been there for Carmen, waiting patiently for her to return his affection. Her sister, Lindsay, the only family member she has a civil relationship with and Yvette, the friend Carmen dismissed because of a silly disagreement, to help her through the difficult times.

Schooling Carmen is a touching book. When I read the acknowledgements I could not imagine how difficult it was for this author to write such a book after suffering her own personal tragedy. This story touches on what can happen when one waits to get treatment. It also forces one to face their own mortality. Throughout the book, the author illustrates Carmen's growth as a person as she struggles to overcome her ideologies about herself and others. This is a very good read. One I would highly recommend.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub


Rating:
Summary: A Superlative Novel with a Sublime Message!
Review: Carmen DuPre is a stunningly, beautiful woman and knows it. All heads turn when Carmen crosses your path. To our dismay, Carmen is aware of her beauty and is a Supreme Diva with a belligerent attitude. Carmen has two sisters, Della and Lindsey along with a brother Maxwell, and the family's mother, Mavis who is a simmering stew of hatred toward Carmen. Carmen's father died in a tragic auto accident, and Mavis feels that Carmen is responsible.

Carmen is a guidance counselor on the rough side of town at Overland High School and she will do anything to get promoted to Beverly Hills' Talented and Gifted Academy. Carmen manipulates her looks to get what she wants, and when she is nearly raped by the school superintendent, she seeks legal action. Meanwhile, Carmen is devastated by receiving news of a debilitating, disfiguring disease that will destroy her looks. Instead of arranging for surgery, Carmen delays the inevitable until....Twists of fate and magical coincidences occur that change Carmen and the world as Carmen sees it for the benefit of everyone.

For me, Schooling Carmen is a Magical, `Feel-Good' inspiring novel that will touch the hearts of those who read it. It will certainly cause one to stop and reflect on what makes one happy.

Schooling Carmen - My Best Read of 2004!!! A thoroughly wonderful novel that reflects faith, hope, love, and magical blessings found abundantly and all around us in unexpected coincidences. This is a Must-Read!!!! This is a novel that will change your heart to make a positive difference in your world.

"Lotta Honey"
Lotta's Bookshelves


Rating:
Summary: deep read reminding the audience to remember what really cou
Review: Drop dead gorgeous Carmen DuPre cannot understand why someone as beautiful and connected as she is has to work in the abominable Eastside of Los Angeles rather than the Westside where she feels she belongs. If daddy still lived that "mistake" would never have occurred. Carmen struggles to breath in a sea of Spanish speaking Mexican-American students as a guidance counselor at Overton High School. Spelman never prepared her for these lowlifes.

Carmen is stunned when she learns that she has breast cancer that will require deforming her perfect figure. Since her looks is everything to Carmen, she leans towards doing nothing as she figures death is preferable to deformity. Mexican-American automobile mechanic Pedro Camacho works on Carmen's Lexus while trying to get through to this material girl that there is more to living than looks; he knows first hand having lost his beloved son to cancer. Dedicated math teacher Eugene Timms also keeps her off balance, but he is a geek and she only goes with hunks for Carmen sees the world as SKIN DEEP, but if she does not obtain an epiphany soon she will see the world from underground.

In some ways the tale wraps up to easily yet fans will appreciate this powerful vigorous look at what matters, which street corner philosopher Pedro knows is obvious yet so many fail to see it. Readers will appreciate the powerful cast even the snobbery of Carmen as she struggles between disfigured living and being perfect until death. Well written and fun to follow, the simplicity of SCHOOLING CARMEN makes for a deep read reminding the audience to remember what really counts.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: The author is my mother, so I could be biased, but....
Review: I LOVED THIS BOOK. Schooling Carmen reminds you that God don't like ugly...but HE loves everybody. The author did a great job of making Carmen go from being a real b**** to being a real human being. I laughed and cried at the things Carmen went through. She might not have deserved everything (good and bad) that happened to her, but she definitely got SCHOOLED by the lessons life brought her.

One of the most important things I learned from this story is that there are NO COINCIDENCES in life. Everything happens for a reason and sometimes even bad things happen for a good reason.

I HIGHLY recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Closer than your life's vein
Review: I read a large volume of a books within a year. Almost one per week. Many books written for African American audiences fail in pursuing the spiritual realm unless it is all about Jesus and the devil. In Schooling Carmen, Ms. Cross approaches spirituality without touching religion....and the spiritual part is the most important. Carmen learns that if she looks deeply into her own heart and learns to trust those around her, she can be happy. I thought Skin Deep was good, but this is so much better. Carmen is the character that you first hate, then understand where she's coming from, then you have hope for, then you love her. Ms. Cross...you did good girl!!


Rating:
Summary: Deep Insights and Great Drama - A MUST READ!
Review: I read Kathleen's first book, Skin Deep, when it came out a few years ago, and absolutely LOVED it. I waited patiently for her second novel, hoping she would be able to write something as deep, provocative and entertaining as Skin Deep was -- Schooling Carmen is ALL THAT and then some!

Though I have to say I miss the two character style she used in her first book, (Maybe I just miss Ahmad heh heh) Schooling Carmen's main character, Carmen DuPre manages to bring enough attitude (and all her DRAMA) to hold it DOWN.

I loved all the characters in this book (except nasty old George Browning). Just like with her first novel, this book offers deep insights right along with the drama --- even when Carmen's learning a hard lesson about herself, the dialogue is REAL and not at all preachy. (Like when Pedro Camacho tells Carmen "The worms are going to get that" )

I really enjoyed this book, and I especially liked the ending. All in all, Schooling Carmen is a sassy, intriguiging and satisfying read. I'd recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about how you learn the lessons you need most in this world! You'll enjoy every page even when your mad at Carmen...

Rating:
Summary: Not only is Carmen schooled but the reader is also
Review: SCHOOLING CARMEN is a great read for Men and Women.

Carmen is a character that you can sympathise with although her actions and beliefs are not the best. I think young women everywhere will be able to relate to Carmen's experiences and the way she thinks.

One thing that I loved about this book is that it shows you that no matter how bad things get or how lost you are there is always something positive to look to whether you see it or not.
After reading this book I was able to look at my own life and examine what is really important.

Everyone can relate to this book, men and women, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!