Once again, I find myself surprised, so as usual, I'll be wordy! Teens have asked for this book, which we have in adult, so I read up on it a little. A classic title in the "street lit" genre, I knew from the reviews to expect it to be raw, profane, and R-rated. Which it definitely was. But I did not expect it to also be un-put-downable. 16-year-old Winter is a self-proclaimed "ghetto princess" whose father's job as a bigtime Brooklyn drug lord keeps her, her mom, and her sisters (Mercedes, Lexus, and Porsche) in the lap of luxury. 
 But Winter's story quickly becomes riches-to-rags as her mother is shot, her father jailed, their belongings seized, and she and her sisters become wards of the state. As Winter struggles to stay on top, there are those who try to help her. One is the book's own author Sister Souljah, who appears herself as a character with big ideas on how to help her Brooklyn neighborhoods, especially young black women, strive to work together and break the cycles that trap them. 
 I must admit, as a fiction reader, I was glad that Sister Souljah was not the ultimate savior, that Winter didn't instantly see the light. That would have made the story lose its credibility. But the degree to which she NEVER sees the light, not one bit, is the reason I can't stop thinking about this book. Winter continues to be materially driven, betraying and stealing from all who would help her in order to make money or attach herself to a man who makes money. In spite of all the grittiness and sensational scenes, this book is 100% a cautionary tale, warning readers that a lifestyle like Winter's can only end badly. Reading this book has made me think differently about rap and hip hop music & culture, and I would be VERY interested to see how this book would be taught in a college or high school class.