Language: R (100+ swears 99 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (making out) Violence: PG13 (fights, knives, a murder)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
15yo Rhea and her friends Zeke and Malachi live in South LA. Local shops are starting to sell to trendy boutique business that cater to a wealthier demographic - their neighborhood is experiencing gentrification. When Zeke's landlord sends an eviction notice (he wants to upgrade the apartments and raise the rent) the kids decide to scare off the newcomers by inventing a fake local gang and flooding social media with "sightings," graffiti, and rumors. The gang doesn't really exist, but when things start to escalate, and a murder is attributed to SOSI, the kids know they are in real trouble.
Adia was given the John Steptoe (Coretta Scott King) Award for new talent in 2024. She's a great writer. The kids are believable, and the situations tragic. I was on the edge of my seat. It's not so much about gangs as it is community. Rhea's community takes care of each other. I love the dynamics - the friendship with a new girl; Rhea hasn't really had a girl friend and it's great watching it develop, and the changing relationship with Malachi is so real - can friends be more than friends? Very high swear count, but the context makes it necessary. Rhea is Black, her friends are Black and Hispanic, the community is multicultural.
Lisa Librarian
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