Wednesday, July 29, 2009

July YA Pick: The Hoopster Triology by Alan Lawrence Sitomer

The Hoopster Trilogy by Alan Lawrence Sitomer is my July YA Pick (and it is definitely YA and should be read by only middle schoolers and older, not upper elementary kids, due to violence). This trilogy is made up of three books: The Hoopster, Hip-Hop High School and Homeboyz, all books which focus on different siblings in the Anderson family. In The Hoopster, Andre, the oldest, has things all together. He is a basketball legend in his neighborhood and has an internship in journalism. When an article he writes receives critical acclaim, he becomes a victim of racial violence and must overcome both his injuries and his fear and bitterness to reclaim his life. In Hip-Hop High School, Andre's little sister Theresa, or T.A., has matured into a young woman who prioritizes her education and works hard, but is still excited by the rhythm of high school. She finds a friend who supports her in pursuing her goals but has to help him when tragedy strikes. In Homeboyz, the smartest of the Anderson kids, Teddy, a true genius, coolly and methodically plots revenge when his youngest sister is killed in gang-related shooting. He has to decide if a young boy he meets, who is on the road to a short life in a street gang, is worth choosing another path. All three of these books are vivid and dramatic looks into obstacles and strengths of young people trying to find their way in a rough world.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

WOW, I am flattered! Thanks so much for making this pick. You rock!!
--Alan Sitomer (the author)

Lone Star Ma said...

Wow - I'm starstruck. I don't think my opinion is important enough for an author to be flattered, but thanks! I love your books - The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriguez, also. The LA teacher at the middle school where I teach (social studies) started a reading club for boys and they read Homeboyz and loved it - the club was officially the Real Deal Readers but the kids called it "The Homeboyz Clique".

Saints and Spinners said...

Well, that's cool. I'll look for these books. LSM, I just finished Steal Across the Sky by Nancy Kress and thought you might enjoy it. You might want to vet it before giving it to the LSG, but she might enjoy it, too.

Lone Star Ma said...

I am always thrilled with a good sci-fi recommendation- I'll be looking for her books at the library! Thanks!