Jumped

Gr 8—10—Before writing this novel (Amistad, 2009), Rita Williams-Garcia carefully observed students in a number of inner-city high schools, intent on creating this authentic story of self-absorbed, sociopathic teens. Teen voices narrate the actions of students during one day at their urban high school in this exceptional production. Leticia, privileged, spoiled, and shallow, is only interested in the excitement of the social drama surrounding her. Instead of becoming responsibly involved, she is absorbed in Celina, her "baby girl" cell phone, and the loss of her designer fingernail. Nique will not admit that she is responsible for the low grades that are keeping her off the basketball court. She insists her "troubled kid" label is unfair and that she has control of her temper. The catalyst in the story is Trina, a conceited, petite girl with personality and looks that all the girls envy and all the boys can't resist. When Leticia overhears Dominique threatening to beat up Trina, she really doesn't want to get involved and warn the girl to divert disaster. In alternating chapters, the story is told in three first-person accounts by the girls. The expert performances by various narrators enhance the author's characterizations of the teens and the adults who supervise them. Lyrically expressed in street talk with similes and metaphors, the strong characters have a lot to say. This insightful, realistic, and expertly written novel is a language arts teacher's dream, offering unlimited potential for active discussion.—Jennifer Ward, Albany Public Library, NY