Urban Fiction
Money Hungry by Sharon Flake
For most thirteen year olds, money is the furthest thing from their mind. Not for Raspberry. Her whole life centers on finding money and keeping herself and her mother off of the streets.
For most thirteen year olds, money is the furthest thing from their mind. Not for Raspberry. Her whole life centers on finding money and keeping herself and her mother off of the streets.
The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake
There may be some places where brains count for more than great clothes, but that place is not Maleeka’s neighborhood. In her neighborhood, all that matters is social standing, and Maleeka has none. Can Maleeka use her brains to find an escape from a life she doesn’t want?
There may be some places where brains count for more than great clothes, but that place is not Maleeka’s neighborhood. In her neighborhood, all that matters is social standing, and Maleeka has none. Can Maleeka use her brains to find an escape from a life she doesn’t want?
Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia
Leticia has a decision to make. She over hears another girl, Dominique, planning to jump another girl, Trina, after school. Should she tell Trina and risk being labeled as a snitch? But what about Trina?
Leticia has a decision to make. She over hears another girl, Dominique, planning to jump another girl, Trina, after school. Should she tell Trina and risk being labeled as a snitch? But what about Trina?
The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriguez by Alan Lawrence Sitomer
Sonia is not your typical fifteen year old. Though her dream is to be the first member of her family to graduate high school, her reality is cooking, cleaning and taking care of her younger siblings, without the help of her pregnant mother. Sonia struggles to fit her dreams in with her responsibilities, and she wonders whether her dreams will slowly fall behind.
Sonia is not your typical fifteen year old. Though her dream is to be the first member of her family to graduate high school, her reality is cooking, cleaning and taking care of her younger siblings, without the help of her pregnant mother. Sonia struggles to fit her dreams in with her responsibilities, and she wonders whether her dreams will slowly fall behind.
One Crazy Summer Rita Williams Garcia
Delphine is being sent from the home she knows with her father in Brooklyn, to her poet mother in Oakland, California. While there she is introduced to the Black Panther Political Party and to the puzzle that is living with her mother.
Delphine is being sent from the home she knows with her father in Brooklyn, to her poet mother in Oakland, California. While there she is introduced to the Black Panther Political Party and to the puzzle that is living with her mother.
Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers
In the tradition of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Story, Dope Sick tells the story of Jeremy. Living in a rough neighborhood, Jeremy has learned how to survive. But when a drug deal goes awry, he is forced to seek refuge in an abandoned house. There, he meets a young man who gives Jeremy a glance into what his life could have been.
In the tradition of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Story, Dope Sick tells the story of Jeremy. Living in a rough neighborhood, Jeremy has learned how to survive. But when a drug deal goes awry, he is forced to seek refuge in an abandoned house. There, he meets a young man who gives Jeremy a glance into what his life could have been.
Romiette and Julio by Sharon M. Draper
After meeting online, Romiette and Julio discover that they attend the same school. But the fact that they are different races does not sit well with the local gangs. They must decide whether to deal with the harassment, or let their love go.
After meeting online, Romiette and Julio discover that they attend the same school. But the fact that they are different races does not sit well with the local gangs. They must decide whether to deal with the harassment, or let their love go.
The Afterlife by Gary Soto
Chuy is murdered in the restroom of a club one night. But he doesn’t go away; instead, he comes back as a ghost. As Chuy gets a look at what his life was, he begins to understand how precious life is.
Chuy is murdered in the restroom of a club one night. But he doesn’t go away; instead, he comes back as a ghost. As Chuy gets a look at what his life was, he begins to understand how precious life is.
A Matter of Trust by Anne Schraff
Darcy used to be best friends with Brisana, but now they are the bitterest of enemies. As if high school wasn’t hard enough, now Darcy has to have eyes in the back of her head to make sure that Brisana stays away from her, and her boyfriend.
Darcy used to be best friends with Brisana, but now they are the bitterest of enemies. As if high school wasn’t hard enough, now Darcy has to have eyes in the back of her head to make sure that Brisana stays away from her, and her boyfriend.
Schooled by Paul Langan
Lionel’s life is basketball. But no one in his life seems to realize that. Not his father, who continually tells him basketball is a waste of time, and not his teachers, who figure his low grades are due to laziness, rather than the fact that he can barely read. Can Lionel follow his dream when everyone is getting in the way?
Lionel’s life is basketball. But no one in his life seems to realize that. Not his father, who continually tells him basketball is a waste of time, and not his teachers, who figure his low grades are due to laziness, rather than the fact that he can barely read. Can Lionel follow his dream when everyone is getting in the way?