Pregnant Girl

A Story of Teen Motherhood, College, and Creating a Better Future for Young Families

By: Nicole Lynn Lewis

Narrated by: Nicky Sunshine

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

A NPR BOOKS WE LOVE 2021 Selection

“[T]his book is so much more than a memoir.... Her prose has the power to undo deep-set cultural biases about poverty and parenthood.” (New York Times Book Review)

An activist calls for better support of young families so they can thrive and reflects on her experiences as a Black mother and college student fighting for opportunities for herself and her child.

Pregnant Girl presents the possibility of a different future for young mothers - one of success and stability - in the midst of the dismal statistics that dominate the national conversation. Along with her own story as a young Black mother, Nicole Lynn Lewis weaves in those of the men and women she’s worked with to share a new perspective on how poverty, classism, and systemic racism impact teen pregnancy and on how effective programs and equitable policies can help teen parents earn college degrees, have increased opportunity, and create a legacy of educational and career achievements in their families.

After Nicole became pregnant during her senior year in high school, she was told that college was no longer a reality - a negative outlook often unfairly presented to teen mothers. Nicole left home and experienced periods of homelessness, hunger, and poverty. Despite these obstacles, she enrolled at the College of William & Mary and brought her three-month-old daughter along. Through her experiences fighting for resources to put herself through college, she discovered her true calling and founded her organization, Generation Hope, to provide support for teen parents and their children so they can thrive in college and kindergarten - driving a two-generation solution to poverty.

Pregnant Girl will inspire young parents faced with similar choices and obstacles that they too can pursue their goals with the right support.

©2021 Nicole Lynn Lewis (P)2021 Beacon Press

Critic reviews

“A frank, thoroughly contextualized portrayal of Black teen motherhood.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Told with empathy and nuance, Pregnant Girl is a remarkable and heart-wrenching memoir from an inspiring leader.” (Booklist)

“[T]his book is so much more than a memoir.... Her prose has the power to undo deep-set cultural biases about poverty and parenthood. It should be required reading for every lawmaker who will vote on whether to make the current child tax credit permanent policy.” (New York Times Book Review)

Heart-full & Healing of Individual & Collective

I LOVE this story & narration! It's a skillful weaving of personal and societal perspectives that illustrate the past, present and possible futures of so very many of us. While I am not black, I am a 2x Pregnant Girl who accomplished a BA & MPH while raising 2 wonderful offspring - now adults able to contribute their gifts to society.
The author shares the struggles, resources and creative solution-building that assisted her and many others move through challenges to emerge more whole than some think is possible. Now at age 70, I was able to tap new levels of understanding, healing and appreciation for my journey which includes a successful career in 2 fields of social service. The author's and my servant leadership, grounded in lived experience, continue to open paths for new generations.
Nicole's book is a masterful use of story and factual information that informs us of what's needed to support the development of girls and boys to grow and thrive. She addresses the reality of generational trauma, secret shame and ignorant blaming that can be overcome. Her non-judgmental tone sheds light on the path to creating a more genuinely humane world knowing "Yes, We Can !"
I highly recommend this book in whatever format!

Inspiring, humbling, entertaining. Excellent!

A compelling, dramatic and meaningful memoir. Nicole Lynn Lewis shares the often-overlooked perspective and often-forgotten experiences of the epic, age-old struggle to survive and thrive as a parent, with the nuance and insight of a highly successful, educated, and well-connected executive. She thoughtfully and compassionately details her own educational journey, the support and missed opportunities from those in a position to help or hurt a vulnerable, ambitious young girl, and the ways a community can better approach these difficult and complex situations.
The narrator’s voice, Nicky Sunshine, comes across as vibrant, expressive, and attuned.

A story that'll live forever.

A light for those who think their lives are over when having a kid.

Tremendous combination of Nicole’s story and factual research!

This is a testimony to the truth Dash we need all individuals in education and work with young people to read and understand the facts around team parenting and college access. I listen to this and every free moment I had and finished it in less than three days working full-time. Phenomenally written in a tremendous story of resilience and tenacity, of hope and. promise realized and claimed

Well done and much needed…

This book highlights so many of the real problems not only for teen parents, but for many groups of people who suffer at the hand of systems not set up for their success. I hope that every young parent, parent to a young parent, lawmaker, influencer, politician, and person reads this.

Speaks to my soul!

This. Not only does Nicole Lynn Lewis share her trials, tribulations, and journey to success, she also shares the stories of others with dignity and respect against the backdrop of research, national statistics, and visions for positive social change.

Political

Too many inconsistencies in the story, too many statistics and slanted racial and political opinions.