Urban Fiction

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Urban Fiction the HS School Library

• Rose Mary Story, PC North

rstory_at_putnamcityschools.org
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What is it?

• Genre sometimes characterized by sex, drugs,
  violence, teen parenthood
• Teens say it reflects what real life is like
• Often accompanied by a badass attitude.

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A history of urban lit

• Inception in 2 classics
• Beginning in 70s with Donald Goines, Iceberg
  Slim, and Robert Beck
• Originally sold by small independent presses,
  street carts, car trunks, and mom-and-pop shops
• Sista Souljahs Coldest Winter Ever (1999)

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A controversial genre

• High school, yes
• Middle school, maybe
• Look for teen friendly titles, like

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Criticism

• Libraries are promoting trashy books
• Content influences teens glamorizes drug use,
  gangster culture
• Promotes negative stereotypes

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Others say

• Cautionary tales
• Need to promote urban fiction with good writing
• Distinguish between urban fiction for teens and
  urban fiction for adults
• Especially appeals to reluctant readers
• Because teens like genre, theyre reading more

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What we need to do (from Jessica Zellars)

• Know the genre
• Develop the collection
• Readers advisory
• Create and have lists available

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PCN students favorites

• Coe Booth
• Paul Volponi
• Sharon Draper
• L. Divine (Drama High)

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Some of my favorites

• Push by Sapphire
• Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon
• Tyrell by Coe Booth

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Where to get more info

• Miranda Doyle
• Vanessa E. Jones
• Vanessa J. Ivin Morris