1. Popular, Hip, and Tempting Urban Literature PHAT Fiction Presented by Susan K. McClelland Reader's Advisor Evanston Public Library

2. The Evanston Readers Teen Book Club Evanston Public Library Members of the ETown Readers Teen Book Club, hold copies of: "Who am I Without Him? by Sharon Flake, in preparation for an October 2009 author-led book workshop.

3. Money hungry by Sharon Flake All thirteen-year-old Raspberry can think of is making money so that she and her mother never have to worry about living on the streets again.

4. Durango Street When Rufus Henry gets out of work camp for Grand Theft Auto, he has only one place to go -- back to Durango Street. Almost right away, he gets on the wrong side of the Gassers, has to join the rival Moors -- and starts running for his life.

5. Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon " Baby, the first thing I need to know from you is do you believe I killed my father?" Antonio and Natasha, two Harlem teenagers, are deeply in love with each other, but their relationship is put to the test when Antonio goes to jail just before their senior year for killing his father, a crime he may or may not have committed.

6. Project Girl by Janet McDonald The compelling story of a black woman's coming-of-age, "Project Girl is the powerful story of a black woman with a genius IQ whose coming-of- age in a Brooklyn public housing project locks her into a struggle with the growing poverty, drug abuse, and violence of a neighborhood in decline.

7. Street Love Junice What am I doing? He'll take one quick look And wish he was anywhere else but here I'm already ashamed of what I think He will think of me, of the life I lead Damian Yes, she is the fruit that will Sustain me and yes, she brings A rain that I know can chill This story told in free verse is set against a background of street gangs and poverty in Harlem in which seventeen-year-old African American Damien takes a bold step to ensure that he and his new love will not be separated.

8. The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah The daughter of one of Brooklyn's biggest drug lords must use her aggressive attitude, sexual power, and family philosophy to stay on top of the game.

9. B a n g ! By Sharon Flake In this contemporary, hard-hitting survival tale set in a neighborhood where people get shot "for no real reason," we follow an African-American boy's harrowing initiation into manhood.

10. A Matter of Trust by Ann Schraft This book centers on Darcy's growing conflict with her old friend, Brisana Meeks. Amid jealousy and competition, Darcy fights for her relationship with Hakeem Randall and struggles with her fears over her own family's future.

11. Graffiti Girl by Kelly Parra A high school student and artist is tempted by the seductive world of graffiti art. Brilliantly capturing her search for her true identity as she struggles to follow her dream, "Graffiti Girl" will resonate with anyone who's ever felt like an outsider, looking in.