ap. $9.99. ISBN 9781442413450; ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9781442413467.
Gr 8 Up–Five teens meet in rehab, and as they interact with one another and with their counselor, readers piece together the addictions and choices that have brought them together. Blunt language and sexual situations are appropriate for the topic and the voices of the characters.
Gangs and Street Life
BOOTH, Coe. Tyrell. Scholastic/Push. 2006. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780439838795; pap. $8.99. ISBN 9780439838801.
Gr 8 Up –The adults in Tyrell’s life disappoint and fail him; now his family is struggling in a homeless shelter. Dad’s unavailable and Tyrell tries to soften the loss for his younger brother, Trey, while balancing the need for money, the lure of gang culture, and two interested girls. The teen’s story continues in Bronxwood (2011).
GRIFFIN, Claire J. Nowhere to Run. Namelos. 2013. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781608981441; pap. $9.95. ISBN 9781608981458; ebk. $8.95. ISBN 9781608981465.
Gr 7-10–Project life in Washington, DC is tough, but with encouragement from his friend Deej, Calvin is in contention for the city sprinting title. When Deej’s gangster uncle demands protection money from Calvin’s mother’s salon, Deej saves Calvin from a beat down–but at an excruciating price–Calvin must agree to throw the sprint finals.
KOWALSKI, William. The Barrio Kings. (Rapid Reads Series). Orca. 2010. pap. $9.95. ISBN 9781554692446.
Gr 7 Up–At 23, Rosario has an entry-level job and a commitment to his pregnant girlfriend to leave his pre-prison life behind. When gang friend Juan is released from prison and tries to pull Rosario back into the life, Rosario must find the strength to choose between competing loyalties.
NERI , G. Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty. illus. by Randy DuBurke. Lee & Low. 2010. pap. $16.95. ISBN 9781584302674.
Gr 6 Up–Yummy is only 11 years old when his desire to impress Chicago neighborhood gang members leads him to commit a murder. The subsequent police attention motivates the gang to brutally eliminate Yummy. A devastating, true story told in graphic novel format with compelling illustrations.
QUINTERO, Sofia. Efrain’s Secret. Knopf. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780375847066; lib. ed. $19.99. ISBN 9780375947063; pap. $8.99. ISBN 9780440240624; ebk. $8.99. ISBN 9780375895494.
Gr 7 Up –Efrain needs an SAT prep course to help him achieve his Harvard dream. There’s no money or family support to make it possible, so the teen decides to take the neighborhood option for making a quick buck and begins to work for the local drug dealer. Getting caught rips apart Efrain’s plans, leading to a different but positive future.
WOODSON, Jacqueline. Miracle’s Boys. Putnam. 2000. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780399231131; pap. $7.99. ISBN 9780142415535.
Gr 6-10–Oldest brother Ty’ree works to keep the family together after both his parents die, but he’s not getting much help from middle brother Charlie, fresh out of juvie and under the pull of his gang friends. Their story is narrated by Lafayette, the youngest, as he tries to make sense of his brothers’ choices and find his own way.
Race and Ethnicity
BALLIETT, Blue. Hold Fast. Scholastic. 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780545299886; ebk. $17.99. ISBN 9780545510196.
Gr 5-7–Early and her little brother enjoy an urban home life rich in dreams of a real house and higher education for Mom and Dad. When her father disappears without explanation, the family must move to a homeless shelter, but Early is determined to find him. An engaging mystery featuring strong writer’s craft and gritty reality. Audio version available from Scholastic.
BJORKMAN , Lauren. Miss Fortune Cookie. Holt. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978080 5089516; ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9780805 096361.
Gr 8 Up–High school senior Erin is culturally Chinese. She was born in China, lives in San Francisco’s Chinatown, speaks Mandarin, and writes an advice blog as Miss Fortune Cookie. But even with dyed-black hair, there’s no hiding her Irish ancestry. Is she Chinese enough for best friends Linny and Mei?
CROWE , Chris. Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case. Dial. 2003. RTE