All of the titles on the suggested reading lists are owned by FSCJ. Simply browse the lists, find a title that interests you, and click on it. The link takes you to the library catalog so you can see which campus owns the book and whether it is currently available for checkout.
Because many street lit books are part of a series, only one title is included per series.
Culture Clash by
(PRINT) Jayd is making some major moves. Fed up with the way the school was handling Cultural Awareness Day, Jayd and her crew decided to form the first African American Student Union with the assistance of two of her teachers - much to the administration's disapproval. On the boy front, things are definitely full of drama. Emilio, the new Latino sophomore at South Bay High, has been giving Jayd lots of attention - upsetting her boyfriend Jeremy. Jayd loves the eye candy, but after sharing a kiss with Emilio, Jayd has a dream that makes her question his true intentions.
A Girl Like Me by
(PRINT) She's got a voice like an R'n'B diva, attitude to burn and is the body-rockin', hip fashion-sporting girl everyone in her high school wants to be - or be with. But in real life 16-year-old Elite has a crack-addict mother, no father in sight and is secretly raising her sister and two brothers on her own. Now a radio contest has put her up close and personal with mega-hot singer Haneef and their chemistry is too hot for Elite to keep pretending. As the clock ticks down fast for this hood Cinderella, she has one shot to save her family and make all of her dreams come true.
Hip-Hop High School by
(PRINT) Theresa Anderson is every kind of smart: too smart-mouthed for her own good, street smart enough to deal with a neighborhood that gets more dangerous every day, and more book smart than anyone knows. But with the example of her super-achieving older brother towering above her, Theresa hasn't even been trying. How can a girl compete against the family favorite, especially when he's a certified local hero? With her parents and her teachers always on her case, and her best friend pregnant and dropped out of school, Theresa turns to hip-hop for comfort. Her favorite singers seem to understand her when no one else does. Everything changes when a new man comes into Theresa's life: Devon, whose tough-guy reputation conceals a blazing ambition for academic success. Devon helps Theresa face up to her own talent and ambition, and together they set off on a three-year quest to beat the SAT and get into top colleges. But then Devon gets shot in a street fight, leaving Theresa with two piles of unfinished college applications-her own and Dev's-and time running out. . . .
If You Were Mine by
(PRINT) Themes: Hi-Lo, High school, neighborhoods, family, loyalty, friendship, urban teen fiction, teen entanglements/love, crushes, responsibility, attraction, parental rules, boundaries, secrets. Themes: Hi-Lo, High school, neighborhoods, family, loyalty, friendship, urban teen fiction, teen entanglements/love, crushes, responsibility, attraction, parental rules, boundaries, secrets. Written for young adults, the Urban Underground series confronts issues that are of great importance to teens, such as friendship, loyalty, drugs, gangs, abuse, urban blight, bullies, and self-esteem to name a few. More than entertainment, these books can be a powerful learning and coping tool when a struggling reader connects with credible characters and a compelling storyline. The highly readable style and mature topics will appeal to young adult readers of both sexes and encourage them to finish each novel. Harriet Tubman HS - Jaris was furious. He would never keep a secret from Sereeta. And he was hurt that Trevor thought he was hot for another chick. He hired Amberlynn Parson because he thought she was best for the job. Period. But Jaris kept second-guessing his decision. Trevor stirred up Jaris's self-doubts. Jaris was often unsure of himself anyway. Like Pop, he was always questioning himself. He feared that the girl's looks had influenced him, and that thought bothered him.
Someone to Love Me by
(PRINT)At first, Bobby Wallace was everything Cindy Gibson hoped for. He was friendly, seemingly mature, and hansome--the perfect escape from her problems in school and even bigger troubles at home. But then, bobby starts behaving strangely, and Cindy gets scared. Hiding her concerns from her friends and her distracted mother, Cindy soon finds herself in the worst trouble of her life.
Tyrell by
(PRINT) An astonishing new voice in teen literature, writing what is sure to be one of the most talked-about debuts of the year. Tyrell is a young, African American teen who can't get a break. He's living (for now) with his spaced-out mother and little brother in a homeless shelter. His father's in jail. His girlfriend supports him, but he doesn't feel good enough for her - and seems to be always on the verge of doing the wrong thing around her. There's another girl at the homeless shelter who is also after him, although the desires there are complicated. Tyrell feels he needs to score some money to make things better. Will he end up following in his father's footsteps?
On the Come Up by
(PRINT) Born in the rough part of town, DeMarco developed a talent for survival - and basketball. Now his skills have got him into a school for the privileged, and that is where he would like to stay. Kyle Whiteside is from a very wealthy black family, but he is a wannabe thug who sees his parents' money as a way to buy himself out of trouble. When DeMarco and Kyle meet at their school, they clash big time. But one night Kyle's bravado lands him in a dangerous situation and the only person who can help him is DeMarco...
Ghetto Superstar by
(PRINT) The reigning queen of hip-hop lit, Nikki Turner, takes on the music biz in this tale of a young woman who risks everything to be a superstar. Fabiola Mays was born to sing. She has a voice like honey and a body to match, but one heartbreaking setback after another threatens to derail her dreams of a recording deal. To make matters worse, it’s Christmastime, rent is past due, and the cops intend to kick her tight-knit family to the curb–until a small-town gangster comes to the rescue and offers them a place to stay. Years pass, and Fabiola continues to play gigs and travel around the country hoping for another shot at fame. She’s long forgotten the gangster named Casino who bailed out her family once upon a time. But when Casino is shot, Fabiola feels that she must help the man who helped her family during their lowest point. As Fabiola climbs the ladder of success, she is pulled between the spotlight and the street, trying to resist industry moguls who find the allure of fresh meat irresistible and the thugs from the shadowy side of the ghetto who threaten to keep her close.
White Lines by
(PRINT) Jada left home at the age of sixteen, running from her own demons and the horrors of physical abuse inflicted by her mother's boyfriend. She partied hard, and life seemed good when she was with Born, the neighborhood kingpin whose name was synonymous with money, power, and respect. But all his love couldn't save her from a crack addiction. Jada goes from crack addict and prostitute to survivor and back again before she finds the strength to live for herself and come out on top. And her stormyromance with one of the fiercest hustlers on the streets makesWhite Linesone of the most unforgettable urban loves stories of the year.
Caught Up by
(PRINT) One of Library Journal's Best Books of 2015 "Holmes...is a noted pioneering street lit author. His smooth-flowing narrative mixes crime, sex, and sassy street language, giving his protagonists a true life-in-the-streets feel. This will more than satisfy serious readers of urban fiction." --Library Journal (Starred Review, Pick of the Month) "I read this book in one sitting....It's a great way to escape and be entertained for a few hours." --Baltimore Times "Pure entertainment." --Hawt Reads Dixyn Greene has it all. She is a hustler's wife, the mother of a beautiful daughter, and she owns a town house and a nice car--she's living the life. But when the feds arrest her man, Dixyn's whole world begins to crumble. Quickly things go from bad to worse--as the bills begin to mount, her ability to continue to maintain her lavish lifestyle is put to the test. Strapped for cash, her good intentions lead to bad decisions. Enter Brian Winters, B-Dub, and her one saving grace, or so she initially believes. In Dixyn's time of need, B-Dub turns out to be no more than an opportunist with his own agenda. Dixyn becomes indebted to him and is forced to do his bidding in order to survive. With B-Dub on her back, she submerges herself into the murky waters of street life and is soon entangled in a web of lust, betrayal, blackmail, and deceit. She ultimately discovers that there are no rules in the game. In the game, loyalty is limited. Trust will get you hurt and love will get you killed. Infamous Books, curated by Albert "Prodigy" Johnson from the legendary hip-hop group Mobb Deep, is a revolutionary partnership that pairs the Infamous Records brand with Brooklyn-based independent publisher Akashic Books. Infamous Books' mission is to connect readers worldwide to crime fiction and street lit authors both familiar and new. Releases include works by national best sellers JaQuavis Coleman, K'wan, Miasha, Prodigy, and many others forthcoming.
T. H. U. G. L. I. F. E. by
(PRINT) The follow up to his best-selling memoirMonster, Sanyika Shakur’sT.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. is a vicious, heart-wrenching and true-to-life novel about an LA gang member that masterfully captures the violence and depravity of gang life. Shakur’s protagonist is Lapeace, the leader of the Eight Tray Crips gang in South Central Los Angeles. In a deadly gunfight with Anyhow, a Blood and Lapeace’s rival since childhood, eight innocent civilians are killed. Anyhow is captured. Lapeace becomes a fugitive and he must hide out in the home of his girlfriend, Tashima, a hip-hop mogul as a pair of crooked LA detectives, John Sweeney and Jesse Mendoza, attempt to track him down. This novel was written from the confines of Shakur’s jail cell, and the authenticity of its street scenes—the relentlessness of violence, the do-or-die attitude of each side of the gang war, the sheer joy in the killing—is a testament to the hell that has been a majority of Shakur’s life. WithT.H.U.G. L.I.F.E., Shakur delivers a powerful and gripping story about the terror of gang life and one man’s attempt to free himself.
Back on Top by
(PRINT) Sherise Robinson, Billie Hass and Erica Kent are living drama-filled lives in D.C. Sherise hopes her husband's connections can help her career, but she's increasingly attracted to Jonah Dolan, a very powerful, very married man. Billie's head is reeling after separating from her manipulative husband and Erica is thrilled when she gets a promotion and starts working for Jonah Dolan, though her fianc#65533;'s hustling ways threaten to ruin everything. Now all three women must rely on their friendship if they want to find a way to get by - and get even...
Queen of Thieves by
(PRINT) Liaka Sikes is having a hard time.
When the love of her life reveals to her a ghastly secret about who he really is, Liaka suddenly finds herself plunged into a life of bank robberies and terrifying visions. Luckily, she has her girls there for support. Asia and Lianna have Liaka¿s back through thick and thin as they enter the thrilling and lucrative world of stick-up crime without ever looking back: a world where one slip-up is enough to end it all. As the friends navigate through violence, good and bad cops, revenge and unexpected romance, will they be able to stay on top and reign supreme?
Code of the Streets by
(PRINT) Inner-City Black America is often stereotyped as a place of random violence: in fact, violence in the inner city is regulated through an informal but well-known code of the street. How you dress, talk, and behave can have life-or-death consequences, with young people particularly at risk. This incisive book examines the code as a response to the lack of jobs that pay a living wage, to the stigma of race, to rampant drug use, to alienation and lack of hope. An individual's safety and sense of worth are determined by the respect he commands in public -- a deference frequently based on an implied threat of violence. Unfortunately, even those with higher aspirations can often become entangled in the code's self-destructive behaviors.
We Beat the Street by
(PRINT) Sampson, George, and Rameck could easily have followed their childhood friends into drugdealing, gangs, and prison. Like their peers, they came from poor, single-parent homes in urban neighborhoods where survival, not scholastic success, was the priority. When the three boys met in a magnet high school in Newark, they recognized each other as kindred spirits who wanted to overcome the incredible odds against them and reach for opportunity. They made a friendship pact, deciding together to take on the biggest challenge of their lives: attending college and then medical school. Along the way they made mistakes and faced disappointments, but by working hard, finding the right mentors, separating themselves from negative influences, and supporting each other, they achieved their goals--and more. In We Beat the Street, award-winning YA author and teacher Sharon Draper brings the doctors' childhood, teenage, and young-adult anecdotes vividly to life. Brief "conversations" with the doctors at the end of each chapter provide context and advice in a friendly, nonintrusive way. Youngsters will be captivated by the men's honest accounts of the street life that threatened to swallow them up, and how they helped each other succeed beyond their wildest expectations.
Random Family by
(PRINT) Random Family tells the American outlaw saga lurking behind the headlines of gangsta glamour, gold-drenched drug dealers, and street-corner society. With an immediacy made possible only after ten years of reporting, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc immerses the reader in the mind-boggling intricacies of the little-known ghetto world. She charts the tumultuous cycle of the generations, as girls become mothers, mothers become grandmothers, boys become criminals, and hope struggles against deprivation. Two romances thread through Random Family: the sexually charismatic nineteen-year-old Jessica's dizzying infatuation with a hugely successful young heroin dealer, Boy George, and fourteen-year-old Coco's first love with Jessica's little brother, Cesar, an aspiring thug. Fleeing from family problems, the young couples try to outrun their destinies. Chauffeurs whisk them to getaways in the Poconos and to nightclubs. They cruise the streets in Lamborghinis and customized James Bond cars. Jessica and Boy George ride the wild adventure between riches and ruin, while Coco and Cesar stick closer to the street, all four caught in a precarious dance between life and death. Friends get murdered; the DEA and FBI investigate Boy George's business activities; Cesar becomes a fugitive; Jessica and Coco endure homelessness, betrayal, the heartbreaking separation of prison, and throughout it all, the insidious damage of poverty. Together, then apart, the teenagers make family where they find it. Girls look for excitement and find trouble; boys, searching for adventure, join crews and prison gangs. Coco moves upstate to dodge the hazards of the Bronx; Jessica seeks solace in romance. Both find that love is theonly place to go. A gifted prose stylist and a profoundly compassionate observer, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc has slipped behind the cold statistics and sensationalism surrounding inner-city life and come back with a riveting, haunting, and true urban soap opera that reveals the clenched grip of the streets. Random Family is a compulsive read and an important journalistic achievement, sure to take its place beside the classics of the genre.
My Bloody Life by
(PRINT) Looking for an escape from childhood abuse, Reymundo Sanchez turned away from school and baseball to drugs, alcohol, and then sex, and was left to fend for himself before age 14. The Latin Kings, one of the largest and most notorious street gangs in America, became his refuge and his world, but its violence cost him friends, freedom, self-respect, and nearly his life. This is a raw and powerful odyssey through the ranks of the new mafia, where the only people more dangerous than rival gangs are members of your own gang, who in one breath will say they’ll die for you and in the next will order your assassination.
Blue Rage, Black Redemption by
(PRINT) A gripping tale of personal revolution by a man who went from Crips co-founder to Nobel Peace Prize nominee, author, and antigang activist When his L.A. neighborhood was threatened by gangbangers, Stanley Tookie Williams and a friend formed the Crips, but what began as protection became worse than the original gangs. From deadly street fights with their rivals to drive-by shootings and stealing cars, the Crips' influence -- and Tookie's reputation -- began to spread across L.A. Soon he was regularly under police surveillance, and, as a result, was arrested often, though always released because the charges did not stick. But in 1981, Tookie was convicted of murdering four people and was sent to death row at San Quentin in Marin County, California. Tookie maintained his innocence and began to work in earnest to prevent others from following his path. Whether he was creating nationwide peace protocols, discouraging adolescents from joining gangs, or writing books, Tookie worked tirelessly for the rest of his life to end gang violence. Even after his death, his legacy continues, supported by such individuals as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Snoop Dogg, Jesse Jackson, and many more. This posthumous edition of Blue Rage, Black Redemption features a foreword by Tavis Smiley and an epilogue by Barbara Becnel, which details not only the influence of Tookie's activism but also her eyewitness account of his December 2005 execution, and the inquest that followed. By turns frightening and enlightening, Blue Rage, Black Redemption is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and an invaluable lesson in how rage can be turned into redemption.
Makes Me Wanna Holler by
(PRINT) One of our most visceral and important memoirs on race in America, this is the story of Nathan McCall, who began life as a smart kid in a close, protective family in a black working-class neighborhood. Yet by the age of fifteen, McCall was packing a gun and embarking on a criminal career that five years later would land him in prison for armed robbery. In these pages, McCall chronicles his passage from the street to the prison yard--and, later, to the newsrooms of The Washington Post and ultimately to the faculty of Emory University. His story is at once devastating and inspiring. For even as he recounts his transformation, McCall compels us to recognize that racism is as pervasive in the newsroom as it is in the inner city, where it condemns so many black men to prison, to dead-end jobs, or to violent deaths. At once an indictment and an elegy, Makes Me Wanna Holler became an instant classic when it was first published in 1994. Now, some two decades later, it continues to bear witness to the great troubles--and the great hopes--of our nation. With a new afterword by the author
Janet McDonald by
(PRNT) Much has been written about the state of Black adolescence often from a sociological point of view situating Black teens in an at-risk category. However, through her characters, young adult author Janet McDonald (1954-2007) presents the wide range of adolescent life. McDonald especially presents to readers the multifarious views of society in relation to the self-efficacious drive of urban teens to rise above their circumstances by any means necessary. Janet McDonald: The Original Project Girl is a bio-critical study of McDonald and her work as it relates to the contributions she has made to the genre of teen fiction. It explains McDonald's profoundly realistic fiction, which holds wide appeal for teens in search of answers to the coming of age mystery. Catherine Ross-Stroud, in her study of McDonald's works and interviews with the author, has put together a comprehensive resource that will be a useful research tool."
The Coldest Winter Ever by
(PRINT) The stunning national bestseller now features an illuminating discussion with Sister Souljah -- her secret thoughts on creating the story that has sold more than one million copies worldwide and introduced readers everywhere to the real ghetto experience. Here are answers to the questions fans everywhere have been asking; the meanings and inspirations behind such memorable characters as Winter, Midnight, and Santiaga; and insights into why and how Souljah conceived of one of the most powerful novels of our time.
Flyy Girl by
(PRINT)From the author of the NY Times Best-seller, For the Love of Money, comes this best-selling urban classic novel about a young woman coming of age in the late 1980s. Tracy Ellison, a knockout with attitude, is living life as fast as she can, loving and leaving the men who'll do anything to get next to her. It's only when her lifestyle threatens heartbreak that she begins to examine her life, her goals and her sexuality. With a thoroughly entertaining and confident voice, Omar Tyree leads the pack of a new generation of [black] male writers' - E.L. Harris'
Let That Be the Reason by
(PRINT) Written in prison and based on real-life experiences, the novel that launched the writing and publishing career of the bestselling author of Still Dirty, Dirty Red, and Imagine This…“the reigning queen of urban fiction” (Publishers Weekly). Let That Be the Reason is the novel Vickie M. Stringer wrote when she was still serving her seven-year sentence for drug trafficking. When she couldn’t find a publisher, she printed the novel herself and sold it out of the trunk of her car. “I’ve exposed myself with the prayer that my life can be used as an example to warn other of the awful dangers of the drug Game,” she wrote in its Afterword. Let That Be the Reason begins when a drug dealer abandons his girlfriend Pamela Xavier, leaving her with nothing but a stack of bills, an empty refrigerator, and an impending eviction notice. Backed in a corner and with no prospects in sight, Pamela decides to get her hustle on. Transforming herself into Carmen, she learns to deal with the streets, the playas, the drug lords, and of course the law—by any means necessary. In no time, she is running a call-girl service, a fencing operation, and a drug cartel—all while still being a mom. Carmen wants money, but she also wants happiness. The problem is, she doesn’t quite understand what real happiness is and what real love means—or what it all costs.
Push by
(PRINT) "Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire," directed by Lee Daniels and written by Damien Paul GRAND JURY PRIZE and AUDIENCE AWARD winner at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival Relentless, remorseless, and inspirational, this "horrific, hope-filled story" (Newsday) is certain to haunt a generation of readers. Precious Jones, 16 years old and pregnant by her father with her second child, meets a determined and highly radical teacher who takes her on a journey of transformation and redemption.
Dopefiend by
(PRINT)
True to the Game by
(PRINT) It's the late 1980s and Gena, a young girl from the projects, meets Quadir, a millionaire drug dealer, and falls madly in love. Quadir builds a massive empire while fighting off his rivals and enemies while Gena faces the challenge of hoding on to her man, her house, her car, and the cash.