The Coldest Winter Ever

Souljah, Sister. (1999). The Coldest Winter Ever. New York: Atria Books.

Image credit: Wikipedia

Annotation:  

Seventeen year-old Winter's kush lifestyle changes dramatically after a series of bad events. Winter must do what she can to hustle and survive on the streets of Brooklyn.

Booktalk:

Do you remember New York's Coldest Winter Ever? Out of it a young urban princess, Winter, was born into a lavish lifestyle supported by her drug-dealing father, Ricky Santiaga, Santiaga took care of everything and everyone; he and his crew ran Brooklyn. Everything in Winter's life is perfect, her biggest concern being which outfit to floss or which diamond necklace to rock. Once her father is busted and her mom abandons her for a life of drugs Winter finds herself on her own for the first time ever. As Winter's life changes she finds new friends and new enemies, she learns who to trust and who will rat her out. Winter learns new shocking truths that shake her world as she thought she knew everything. 

But really we women don’t have to do anything to be beautiful. It’s a gift from God. The woman is. Somewhere along the line many of us as women are led to believe that being pretty is enough. And while we rely on that, we forget to strengthen our minds so that we can learn how to think, how to build. How to survive. We forget how to live our lives to protect our spirit, to be clean and decent. We forget that everything we do matters so much.

Winter proves true the old adage that whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Her journey will change her and her life won't be what she expected. Will ever find someone who she can trust? Will her family ever be the same again? Will she survive another Coldest Winter Ever?

Awards:

•  YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, Hard Knock Life Category, 2010

I am Scout: A Biography of Harper Lee

Shields, Charles J. (2008). I am Scout: A Biography of Harper Lee. New York: Henry Holt.

Image credit: ©Macmillan

Annotation:  

A thorough look into the life of one of America's most celebrated and reclusive authors of the 20th century, Harper Lee.

Review:

I am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee is serial biographer Charles J. Shields first attempt at writing for young adults. Shields success may be attributed to the fact that I am Scout is based on his award-winning adult-bestselling biography Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee. Whatever the reason Shields demands respect for his ability to get the reader into the head of his subject and portray them in an honest and masterful light. The cover art of the book is intriguing with an old Underwood typewriter, of personal importance to Lee, taking up most of the space as if it is ready to type the story of Harper Lee’s life. The title also features a tire swing in place of the “o” in Scout that is a nod to her childhood and a scene in Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The cover artwork and design is suitable for the topic, the target audience, and the storyline.

            The biography begins with the birth of Nelle Harper Lee in small-town Monroeville, Alabama and chronicles her life throughout success and tragedies. The book mainly focused on how her childhood inspired her best-selling novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Shields relies on first and second-hand accounts to pepper the biography with facts and insider stories, and is diligent in documenting sources in case readers want to further research anything. Readers become invested in Lee’s life, feeling her sense of accomplishment and sticking with her through the rough patches that frequented Lee’s life. While there is nothing in the book that is inappropriate, there are several instances of racial injustice that might be best understood by older readers ages 14 and up.

Awards:

• ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2009
• Arizona Grand Canyon Young Readers Master List
• Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, 2009.