Unexpected - by Lala Thomas (Paperback)

About the Book

Best friends Erykah and Kelly have their junior year planned out, but everything changes when Erykah finds out she is pregnant, and as Kelly tries to support her throughout the pregnancy the two girls learn some harsh realities about the world and are forced to make some huge decisions.

Book Synopsis

The bond between two best friends is put to the test when one of them gets pregnant in this "powerful and timely" (award-winning author Angela Johnson) contemporary young adult novel for fans of Angie Thomas and Elizabeth Acevedo.

Erykah was looking forward to junior year at East Prep High. She has a cute boyfriend, gets good grades, and has the best bestie. Money is tight, though that's nothing new in her world. But everything changes when she gets pregnant. Having a baby at sixteen was definitely not part of the plan.

Kelly's plan was to dominate junior year--grade-wise and on the basketball court--and eventually get an athletic scholarship. It did not include helping her best friend through a pregnancy. But that's what best friends do, right? Besides, Kelly has every intention of being a good auntie.

As the two girls navigate the pregnancy, they'll learn some harsh realities about the world and be forced to make some huge decisions. They'll also discover a deep reserve of strength and compassion...for each other and themselves.

Review Quotes

Believably peppered with facts about Black maternal healthcare, this thought-provoking debut inspired by the reality TV show of the same name is an authentic exploration of the right to choose.--Publishers Weekly
*STARRED REVIEW* "11/14/2022"

Far from being a judgmental cautionary tale, the work treats Erykah's circumstances with care, offering a true representation of the right to choose, despite the odds. An empowering, relatable read.--Kirkus Review "10/15/2022"