by Jerry Craft
First published 2017
Pauline Porter stands behind the counter of her family bookstore, watching her teenage sons Tyrell and Yusuf drift further from her world each day. Running the store feels simple compared to bridging the gap with her boys. She reaches for a novel while they grab their game controllers. She prepares nutritious meals as they sneak junk food. Her classic soul records compete with their hip hop beats echoing from upstairs. Every day brings new clashes between her values and their choices. Pauline wants them to understand that her rules and expectations stem from love. She works to keep them both happy and safe, even when they resist her efforts. This mother's daily battles reveal the comedy and heartbreak of raising teenagers who seem determined to reject everything she offers. Based on Jerry Craft's syndicated comic strip, the story captures one woman's determination to connect with her sons despite their different tastes and priorities.
Genres: fiction, family-life, african-american, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, generational-divide
96 pages · Paperback · Mama's Boyz, Incorporated