1. street lit urban fiction ghetto lit hip-hop fiction gangsta lit

2. Definition San Francisco Chronicle, Oct 19, 2003 “The so-called hip-hop books...are page- turners rife with violence, sex and crime; they're often populated by African American characters; they're especially popular among reluctant readers, notably including young, black men; and the language, cadences, subject matter and aesthetic evoke comparisons to hip-hop music.”

3. Criticism One critic calls it “mindless garbage about murder, killing, thuggery” Another says: “In ghetto fiction, as in today's hip-hop lyrics, the lives of the people who live in the 'hood are portrayed as stimulating and glamorous. The real-life desperation and need for redemption are ignored.” Critics say it reinforces stereotypes and encourages irresponsible behavior

4. Why Libraries Should Buy It Anyway One defender says: "They reflect the world as [readers] know it, the society as they know it, much in the that way hip-hop lyrics do.” Most of the books are “tragic morality tales” – wrongdoing is punished by death or prison – so overall message is positive Tremendous popularity – especially with urban teens and 20-somethings, who might otherwise not use the library or check out books Gets an audience of reluctant readers excited about reading Library Journals says: evaluate street lit in the context of its genre. Some titles are better than others, as in all genres. We need to serve the interests and needs of all patrons.

5. Characteristics Often written by younger African-Americans, often first-time authors. Some authors are or have been in prison. Urban setting, often in housing projects. Popular cities include Philadelphia; Richmond, VA; Chicago; New York, New Jersey. Gritty; include plenty of sex, drugs, and violence. Drug dealing, or “the game”, is a common theme. Written in the language of the streets, with plenty of slang and four-letter words. Includes many references to brand names, especially expensive cars, designer clothing and shoes, etc.

6. Characteristics Main female character is often shallow and self- centered at the beginning, but learns through facing hardships. Characters may profit from drug dealing, enjoying their wealth, but eventually most pay the price. Many titles end in tragedy – violent deaths, prison. Often self-published or published by small, independent presses. Generally published in a trade paperback format Covers often feature photos of scantily clad women, men with guns, expensive cars, etc. May have many grammatical errors and typos Often not reviewed in mainstream publications

7. Timeline 1969 – Iceberg Slim (also known as Robert Beck) publishes “Pimp”, then other titles including “Trick Baby and “Death Wish” – accounts of life on the Chicago streets, using authentic slang 1970s – Donald Goines writes “Dopefiend” and “Whoreson”, along with other titles, about the struggles of pimps, prostitutes, thieves, hit men, and drug addicts to survive on the streets. 1998 – Teri Woods, a paralegal in Philadelphia, self-publishes and starts hand-selling “True to the Game”, about a young girl who grows up in the projects and falls for a drug dealer, with tragic results. Woods goes on to found Teri Woods Publishing and promote other urban fiction authors. 1999 – Rap artist and activist Sister Soulja published “Coldest Winter Ever”, the story of 17-year-old Winter Santiaga, the pampered daughter of a Brooklyn drug kingpin. When her father goes to prison, Winter must try to survive of her own.

8. Timeline 2001 – While in federal prison, Vickie Stringer writes “Let That Be the Reason,” then sets up a company called “Triple Crown Publications” to publish other urban fiction authors. 2006 – Newsweek declares that “hip hop novels are hot” and notes that mainstream publishers want in, signing the top authors. Newsweek reports: "Hip-hop fiction is doing for 15- to 25-year-old African-Americans what 'Harry Potter' did for kids," says Matt Campbell, a buyer for Waldenbooks. "Getting a new audience excited about books." For more, see Feb. 2006 Library Journal article: Lessons from the Old School: Street Lit Pioneers http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6299862.html

9. Popular authors Teri Woods – “True to the Game”, “Dutch” Shannon Holmes – “B More Careful”, “Bad Girlz” Vickie Stringer – “Let That Be the Reason” Nikki Turner – “A Project Chick” K’wan (Foye) – “Gangsta”, “Street Dreams” T.N. Baker – “Cream” Tracy Brown – “Dime Piece”, “Black” Chunichi – “A Gangster’s Girl” Wahida Clark – “Thugs and the Women Who Love Them” Keisha Irvin – “Hold U Down” 50 Cent (writes “with” other authors)‏ Zane (erotica, doesn’t quite fit street lit definition but popular with same readers)‏

10. Publishers Triple Crown Publications Teri Woods Publishing Urban Books Macavelli Press Black Print Publishing Melodrama Publishing Q-Boro Books Ghetto Heat

11. Does adult urban fiction belong in school libraries? In my opinion, probably not for middle school. Direct students to the public library and to teen books with a similar setting and feel. High school libraries – possibly, depending on your community and support, but be ready to defend it and have a collection development policy.

12. YA Books for Urban Fiction Readers Some teens who read urban fiction want only the adult titles, but others are open to also reading Young Adult books Direct students who want adult titles to public library So what can we give students from our own collections?

13. Favorite Teen “Urban” Titles Three classic urban fiction titles (possibly appropriate for high school libraries)‏

14. Street Lit for Teens The following titles have: -- Inner-city settings -- African-American or Latino characters -- Drama/urban issues (poverty, gangs, violence, drugs, etc.)‏ -- Urban slang

15. Bluford series www.townsendpress.comwww.townsendpress.com -- $1 a book, write a letter and they may send you a set for free. New cover from Scholastic. Appropriate for middle school.

16. Books by Sharon Flake (great for middle school & up)‏

17. Books by Janet McDonald

18. Books by Walter Dean Myers

19. Drama High series Proudly hailing from Compton, USA, sixteen-year-old Jayd Jackson is no stranger to drive-by shootings or run-ins with the friendly neighborhood crackhead. Street-smart, book-smart, and life-smart, she’s nobody’s fool—least of all KJ’s, the most popular and cutest basketball jock at South Bay High, aka Drama High.

20. Imani All Mine Imani All Mine tells the story of Tasha, a fourteen-year-old unwed mother of a baby girl. In her ghettoized world where poverty, racism, and danger are daily struggles, Tasha uses her savvy and humor to uncover the good hidden around her. High School.

21. Hot Girl Foster child Kate gets a makeover and tries to win the boy she likes, but ends up getting into trouble. Set in Brooklyn, this novel is definitely “urban fiction lite” for teens, with plenty of slang and brand names but a positive message. High School (SLJ says gr 8-12).

22. Tyrell 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. High School.

23. Street Pharm Ty Johnson knows survival. Since inheriting his pop's business at sixteen, Ty's developed smarts, skills, and mad discipline. The supply game's in his blood. And life is pretty sweet when you're on top. But one slip -- or one serious competitor -- and life turns ugly fast. High School.

24. Upstate "Baby, the first thing I need to know from you is do you believe I killed my father?“ So begins Upstate, a powerful story told through letters between the incarcerated seventeen-year-old Antonio and his sixteen- year-old girlfriend, Natasha. High School.

25. Emako Blue From the moment she stands up in chorus auditions and her heavenly voice fills the room, Emako Blue profoundly affects anyone who meets her. But even as Emako draws together new friends and catches the attention of an important record producer, the streets of South Central Los Angeles are never far away, where everything changes in one horrific instant. Middle and High School.

26. Paul Volponi Crime, violence, and drugs are common themes in this author’s urban novels. High School.

27. Rita Williams-Garcia Some, but not all, of her novels have urban settings and themes. High School.

28. Imani In Young Love... Every ACTION has a CONSEQUENCE. How high of a price are you willing to pay for that action? Five teenagers, Imani, Fatima, Bhriana, Tyler & Steven, individually & collectively discover the answer to that question.

29. Platinum Teen Series www.platinumteen.org Books 1-4 – Three friends face drama, boyfriend troubles, etc. Appropriate for middle school.

30. Drive By and Party Girl Latino characters, short and easy to read. The books deal with drive-by shootings, drugs, and gangs.

31. Alan Lawrence Sitomer “Hoopster” Trilogy. High School.

32. Ni-Ni Simone Urban high school setting (inner-city Newark, NJ), lots of drama, slang, and pop culture references. PW says 12 and up.

33. Other Favorite YA Authors (often with urban themes)‏ Angela Johnson Gary Soto

34. Not Street Lit, but may appeal to same audience... The following titles have African-American characters, but mostly in suburban settings.

35. Kimani Tru Modern-day coming of age stories for young African-Americans. Address serious contemporary issues, but with a positive, hopeful outlook and limited profanity/sex/violence. Some are more “urban”, others are set in wealthier, more suburban areas.

36. ReShonda Tate Billingsly Good Girlz series – Christian teen drama about friends in a church group.

37. Hotlanta Series Glamorous, rich twin girls in Atlanta deal with murder, gossip, and startling secrets. SLJ says grades 8-10.

38. Dana Davidson Romance in an affluent black suburban setting, by a high school teacher in Detroit. High School.

39. Nia Stephens Choose-your-own adventure romance.

40. Paula Chase: Del Rio Bay Friendship, popularity, drama and romance with a diverse cast of characters. Middle and High School.

41. NEW Titles

42. Collection Development Find through booklists and “also bought” on Amazon.com Specialized web sites such as streetfiction.org (see resource list)‏ “Word on Street Lit” columns by Vanessa J. Morris in Library Journal Ask your students!

43. Resources Library Success Wiki: http://libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Urban_Fiction/Street_Lit/Hip_Hop_Ficti on_Resources_for_Librarians ALA Wiki: http://wikis.ala.org/professionaltips/index.php/Street_Lit_Collection_Develop ment_Resources New blog created by a librarian: http://www.streetfiction.org Has a special section for teen urban book reviews. “Word on Street Lit” – Library Journal column by Rollie Welch and Vanessa Morris Vanessa Morris – Web site at: http://ted.gse.upenn.edu/~vmorris/VJMWebsite/urbanfiction.html