Bluford Series: Breaking Point

Author Paul Langan has done it again, Townsend Press will be releasing another book in the popular Bluford Series later this fall. Teaming with author Karyn Langorne, the duo has penned, "Breaking Point." 

Check out the brief synopsis of the story below: 

 

Mom’s jaw tightened as the sound of the TV grew louder. Dad had turned it up.

“Be right back,” Mom huffed. Vicky knew her mother was trying to sound calm, but the way she marched out and shut the door said otherwise. Vicky braced herself.
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Not again, Vicky thought. Not another fight. 

Vicky Fallon can’t take it. Her father has lost his job. Her parents are constantly fighting, and her troubled little brother is out of control. Once an honor student, Vicky is quickly falling behind in her classes at Bluford High. Now her teachers, friends, and new boyfriend, Martin Luna, want answers. Pressured from all sides, Vicky knows something is about to snap. 

Author, Paul Langan

But the explosion that hits her home is worse than anything she could imagine... 

The Bluford Series novels from Townsend Press appeal to tweens and teens regardless of ethnicity. The novels are approximately 200 pages, and encourage even the most reluctant reader to read from cover to cover. The stories contain real life themes, situations and are presented in a non-preaching manner. The series is very popular in schools and are used in middle school and high school classrooms/libraries across the United States. 
I can't wait to introduce this book to my avid readers this fall.

Damaged by Kia DuPree

Damaged by Kia DuPree is an unapologetic view of Washington D.C. street life that many teens fall victim to.  The story is told through the eyes of Camille Logan, a young girl who is abandoned by her mother and placed in the foster care system.  On the outside the Brinkley’s, her foster parents, provide a normal and loving home.  Behind closed doors, Mr. Brinkley mentally and sexually abuses Camille leaving her to suffer in silence.

The fifteen year old's prayers are answered when she meets Chu, a local teenage drug dealer. Camille feels that she has finally found true love and security.  When Chu is murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, her world falls apart.  Desperate to survive on the streets and stay out of the foster care system, Camille reluctantly connects with Nut, the sadistic pimp.  Nut physically abuses Camille and inflicts fear to keep her scared and loyal.   Camille becomes numb and learns to rely on her street smarts to survive.  Finally one day, she makes a tough decision: become a victim of the streets or work toward making a better life for herself.   

Damaged is a not an easy read.  Like PUSH by Sapphire, Damaged tackles the subjects of molestation, desperation and the spirit of survival.  It’s graphic and gives the reader a look into the lives of characters that one may not normally cross paths with.   Though this book has an adult classification, it can be circulated to 11^th-12^th grade students in high school libraries for the following reasons: 

• Some of the teens serviced in schools across this country quietly experience the same abuse and struggle of the protagonist Camille.   
• The book can be used by school Librarians, Counselors and Social Workers to spark discussion and better service at-risk students that are in crisis.  The author provides a readers group guide for discussion at the end of the story.
• The themes presented in Damaged are universal and affect teens in urban city dwellings and rural America.  Please note:  although sexual victimizations may be unspoken and unreported, it does not mean that they are not occurring in rural America.  (1)

Author, Kia DuPree

DuPree's gift as a writer is displayed through her effective use of dialogue.  Her ability to describe the raw emotions of the characters as they try to survive grimy street life is described vividly.  I felt the most heartbreaking part of the story was when Camille sees her mother for the first time in several years.  The exchange between mother and child is painful.  Though unspoken through dialogue, DuPree effectively describes to the reader how street life can capture and destroy lives. 

This past summer, I had the opportunity to serve on an Urban Fiction panel discussion with DuPree.   I found her to be insightful and committed to the Street Lit. genre by providing stories that accurately reflect the lives of young people in neighborhoods we have forgotten.  (2) Though the story ended abruptly, I hope DuPree will write a sequel to Damaged.  It would be very interesting to see how Camille continues to work toward making a better life for herself and help prevent other girls from falling victim to life in the street.   

References:

(1) Lewis, Sharon, Unspoken Crimes:  Sexual assault in rural America.  National Sexual Violence Resource Center A Project of the Pennsylvania Coalition against Rape.  2003. http://www.nsvrc.org/_cms/fileUpload/rural.pdf

(2) PHAT Fiction Panel Audio.   Public Library Association, July, 2010.

http://phatfiction.blogspot.com/2010/07/phat-fiction-panel-audio.html

Under Pressure by Rashaun Hughes

Wahida Clark Presents plans to launch its first Young Adult line for teens on January 7, 2011. The opening novel entitled “Under Pressure” by Rashawn Hughes is the first of many to come. Under Pressure will be released in stores January 7, 2011.

The Wahida Clark Presents Young Adult Line (YA) targets tweens/teens ranging from ages 14-18.  The stories are realistic and reflect stories that kids can relate to.  Clark’s intent is to capture the hearts and minds of youth globally.

Here's a synopsis of "Under Pressure" by Rashaun Hughes:

Quentin “QB” Banks had always been a fighter, even though it always seemed as if he was holding on to life by mere thread. After serving time in prison, QB returned to his Queens, New York neighborhood and began working as the Director of U-Turn, an at-risk community center for teenagers. Nicknamed, “OG – Original Gangster”, QB is respected by all, especially by two of the center’s teenagers, Torry and Chase.

When someone tries to gun down QB, Chase and Torry, their lives change forever. QB fights to suppress his feelings for revenge, while Torry is faced with a new challenge he doesn’t think he can endure.  Chase on the other hand, carries a secret that could destroy all of them. Will QB retaliate against his enemies? Will Torry overcome his internal demons? Will Chase come clean, tell the truth and prevent others from getting hurt?  Only time will tell when you're Under Pressure!

Author Wahida Clark



Wahida Clark Presents Publishing, established in 2007, has made its mark in the publishing industry. With fiction novels such as: Trust No Man 1 & 2, Karma 1 & 2, Thirsty, Cheetah, The Game of Deception and The Ultimate Sacrifice it is evident that quality has surfaced. WCP has published the likes of many authors such as Cash, Mike Sanders, Missy Jackson, Tash Hawthorne, and Victor L. Martin and Anthony Fields.

In amidst of Clark’s many ventures, yet another, Yah Yah publications, has made its way through. This line featuring motivational, spiritual, and science-fiction volumes, adds a non-fictional twist to WCP. The first book entitled, Uncle Yah Yah: 21st Century of Wisdom is currently in stores.

Integrity is prevalent in Wahida Clark and Wahida Clark Presents Publishing and will be ever more with the launch of the Young Adult line. Ultimately, innovation births victory.   I have had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of "Under Pressure."   This selection will serve as a needed addition to a high school Street Literature collection. 

Myself and I by Earl Sewell

Kimani Tru’s "Myself and I" by Earl Sewell is the fifth book in the popular Keysha's Drama Series. I enjoy reading Sewell's books because they describe the ‘drama’ that tweens/teens today experience in a humorous, non-preaching manner. You may recall, I reviewed the first book in the series, ‘Keysha’s Drama’ on a previous post last year. 

The protagonist Keysha has boy trouble. After surviving a humiliating experience at her prom, she realizes her fake boyfriend Antonio is no good and breaks up with him. Her ex-Wesley also re-appears in her life and tries to pursue her with no luck. Swearing off of boys, Keysha decides to work on herself and earn her lifeguard certification during the summer. When she and her friend Maya decide to get lifeguard jobs at the local park district swimming pool, things begin to heat up. 

Her new neighbor Jerry has the three ‘C’s” cute, cocky and has a cool car. He's an excellent diver, attracts the attention of all of the girls and heats up the summer at the local pool. Keysha finds herself attracted to this new heartthrob on the block. Playing hard to get, Keysha enjoys the attention and slowly begins to put down her guard. Things come to a head when Jerry throws a rowdy party at his parent’s home and attracts the police. Keysha's, who's worked hard at controlling her temper and staying out of trouble finds herself deep in drama again. To her dismay, she is charged with criminal mischief and once again disappoints her parents. Later she learns two of her rivals, Lori and Priscilla, are behind all of the lies and accusations. Eventually it is Priscilla that confesses and Keysha’s name is finally cleared of all charges. 

I can always count on Sewell to deliver a story that kids can relate to. His books spark lively discussions with tweens/teens about drugs, alcohol, sex and peer pressure in a non-graphic manner.

Author Earl Sewell

I especially like how Sewell describes the loving exchanges between Keysha and Grandma Katie. These exchanges represent how many young people are loved and guided by elders in their family. It’s Grandma Katie that educates Keysha about the rich swimming history of African-Americans that dates back to pre-slavery days. Students will also receive a brief history lesson about Tice Davids, a slave whose daring act helped create the name, "Underground Railroad." (1) This is history moment can be used as a classroom lesson for students along with the handy readers guide questions Sewell provides at the end of the book. 

Kimani TRU was launched in 2007 to fill the void in African-American fiction for young adults. The stories focus on the triumphs, issues and concerns of tweens/teens with candor, wit and realism. The stories, sometimes edgy and address serious subjects, entertain and satisfy even the most reluctant reader. (2) Sewell’s books tackle issues that kids deal with in a sensitive, informative and humorous manner. I just hope Keysha never grows up because the stories are so engaging and well written.

If you live in Illinois or neighboring states, you have the opportunity to meet Earl Sewell at the Illinois School Library Media Association Conference in St. Charles.  He will be presenting one session for Librarians and he has just been added to the Author's Showcase.  Check out the book trailer below for the book and see for yourself. “Myself and I,” is a book that should be read tweens/teens this fall.

References

(1)     http://www.ishof.org/black_history/trailblazers.htm

(2)     http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=590

A Quick Blog Post: Promoting My Library Media Center

This is the second week I am providing my students with Library Media Center Orientation.  It's quite tedious because all of the students are receiving the orientation through their English classes.  Scheduling has been a real trip, but I'm halfway done.  So far, the kids have been really receptive to the video and anxious to check out books.   A couple of girls checked out books by Ni-Ni Simone, Earl Sewell and Nikki Carter and have come back asking for more.  A group of freshman boys eagerly checked out books about war and history, the excitement was priceless.

Do you know how much this makes me smile!  Check out my Animoto Video promoting the books, activities and services for the students at Phillips Academy.

Smootches for now!

The Golden Hustla by Wahida Clark

Sometimes I’m so busy reading Young Adult books for my students, I don’t have time to read adult Street Literature.  About a month ago, I was able to get a galley (advance book release) of  ‘The Golden Hustla’ written by ‘The Queen of Thug Love Fiction,’ Wahida Clark.  When I first heard that she was releasing a book that was not a direct connection to the Thug Series, I thought how can she do this to me! I've been waiting for the sequel to her 2009 release, ‘Thug Lovin.’   I just need to know who is the father of Tasha’s baby and after all of the drama, would Tasha and Trae would reconcile.   Despite Clark keeping me on pins and needles, I read The Golden Hustla over a period of two days-two sittings....I just couldn't put the book down.

The protagonist, Nina Coles flees New Jersey and leaves her children, bloodshed, and pain behind to begin a new life in Atlanta.  When she runs into her ex-boyfriend, Cream a*k*a – Akil, things begin to go downhill.  Akil convinces Nina to leave her dead end telemarketing job selling magazines, and move to the lucrative WMM (We Make Millionaires) Agency.  In the beginning, life is good – a new job, 5 figure salary a week and a means to support her children back home.  After some time, Nina learns that she has gotten herself in a position where she is being controlled. 

Author, Wahida Clark

Her boss Rinaldo is shady and his main goal is to have his Platinum Team to persuade the rich and elderly to spend thousands of dollars on American Gold Eagle Coins and get rich sweepstakes.   Things also begin to become more complicated as Nina and Akil’s attraction to each other becomes so tense that they pick up where they had left off years ago.   Akil also blackmails and physically abuses Nina into giving him inside information about WMM.  Now realizing that she’s in over her head, Nina is faced with walking away from WMM and starting over again or stay.    

The story kicks into high gear when Nina becomes suspicious of Rinaldo when the nephew of a wealthy client is mysteriously killed.   To make matters worse, the FBI indicts WMM for mail/wire fraud and money laundering.   Using her hustling instincts and skills, Nina goes into survival mode to save herself and reunite with her kids. 

‘The Golden Hustla’ is a page turner with believable characters and plot twists.  I especially enjoyed how Clark cleverly brought Kyron and Tasha (Thug Lovin) into the story for a brief cameo.  She educates the reader about the inside world of high end telephone sales, the thirst for American Gold Eagle Coins and corporate greed.  Whenever I read a good book, I always envision how this book would play out on the big screen and who would be casted as the characters in the story.  If you aren’t familiar with some of these actors/actresses, I suggest you Google their images….believe me, the brothers on the list are definitely eye candy!:

Nina - Zoe Saldina

Rick - Ryan Gentles

Alkil - Ezra "Budha" Masters

Rinaldo - Ryan Phillipe

Reese – Keston Karter
Nina's Mama - Jenifer Lewis

Tasha - Naturi Naughton

Kyron - Lance Gross

Check out Wahida Clark’s publishing house trailer below! “The Golden Hustla” is a book that is not to be missed by adult Street Literature fans this fall.