Hip-Hop High School (Hoopster)
Grade 8 Up–In this sequel toThe Hoopster(Hyperion, 2005), readers meet Andre's younger sister. As Theresa makes her way through the racial hotbed of her poverty-stricken L.A. high school, she keeps her eyes on her goal: admission to USC. Devon, a fellow academic in hip-hop clothing, takes her under his wing and they work like fiends to learn all they will need to know to ace their SATs. Then Devon's Harvard hopes are dashed when he is shot in a street fight before he is able to send in his application. With several improbable twists, both Devon and Theresa are admitted to the universities of their dreams. The language in this book is discomfiting. All of the words are familiar (dat, wuzzup, dang), but somehow the dialogue does not ring true. This is highlighted by the insulting lack of sophistication given to Theresa's inner dialogue. When compared to authors who use cultural dialect to great effect, such as Zora Neale Hurston or Janet McDonald, Sitomer's language seems contrived. McDonald, Sharon Flake, and Sharon Draper are better bets for inner-city kids conquering obstacles.–Morgan Johnson-Doyle, Sierra High School, Colorado Springs, COCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.