Yummy: the last days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri. Illustrated by Randy DuBurke. 96 p. Lee & Low Books Inc., September, 2010. 9781584302674. (Own)
#tbt features Yummy: the last days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri. This compelling graphic novel "biography" is told from the POV of a fictional classmate, but tells the very true story of Robert "Yummy" Sandifer. It was inspired by a TIME Magazine article the author read in 1994. Eleven-year-old Yummy inadvertently killed a bystander while he was threatening a rival gang member. He went on the run from the police but his gang was also on the hunt for him. The pace is fast and suspenseful. The black and white panels also effectively build suspense.
Back matter includes a number of articles as well as an author's note. Lee & Low's page for the book contains extra information as well and worth a look.
Etched in Clay: the life of Dave, enslaved and potter poet by Andrea Cheng. 160 p. Lee & Low Books, January, 2013. 9781600604515.
Fact Friday features Etched in Clay: the life of Dave, enslaved and potter poet by Andrea Cheng. This is a biography in verse about Dave, an enslaved young man, who, around 1815 was brought to Edgefield, South Carolina, and taught to throw pots. He learned quickly and was soon designing and creating a variety of beautiful and useful pottery. Defying anti-literacy laws, he taught himself to read and proved to be not only a master potter, but a poet. He carved poems which described his daily life into many of his pots.
Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac. 400 p. Killer of Enemies #1. Tu Books/ Lee & Low Books Inc., October, 2013. 9781620141434. (Own.)
Teen Tuesday features Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac. In a dystopian near-future, Lozen's world is divided into Haves and Have-nots, with the Have-nots being virtually enslaved to the whims of the Haves and the Ones -people who genetically and technologically augmented themselves and other creatures until they are barely human and the creatures are monsters. Then came the Cloud, which wiped out all technology and most of the Ones. The monsters are on the loose and Lozen is sent to hunt them. You will need to buckle up here because the action is fast and furious. Suspense is high and the pace is non-stop.
