Gangs: It’s Us Against Them
Bonham, Frank. Durango Street; 1965. (Y-PRD-BON)
A headman of his teen gang, Rufus Henry has to deal not only with other gangs, but also with the police-sanctioned sponsor who has involved himself with Rufus and his friends.
Bunting, Eve. Someone Is Hiding on AlcatrazIsland; 1984. (Y-Bunting)
When he offends the toughest gang in school, Danny tries to elude them by going to Alcatraz only to find himself and a Park Service employee trapped by the gang.
Butcher, Kristin. Zee’s Way’; 2004. (Y-P-BUT Hi/Lo)
When a store owner catches him painting graffiti on the store’s wall, Zee must choose between making a statement and making art.
Coburn, Jake. Prep; 2003. (Y-P-COB)
Former tag artist Nick tries to comes to terms with a friend’s death, protect the brother of his would-be girlfriend, escape the violence of the cities prep school hoods, and figure out who he really is.
Cole, Stephen. Prey; 2005. (Y-P-COL)
Kate and Tom flee to New Yorkas they continue to seek a cure for Tom's half-human/half-werewolf state, finding old enemies and new friends while eluding the police. Sequel to Wounded.
Ewing, Lynne. Drive-by; 1996. (Y-P-EWI)
Twelve-year-old Tito, while helping to care for his little sister, struggles to find his way during the aftermath of his brother’s death in a gang-related shooting.
Ewing, Lynne. Party Girl; 1998. (Y-P-EWI)
The death of her best friend Ana in a drive-by shooting causes fifteen-year-old Kata to question her position in the Los Angeles gang life.
Garland, Sherry. Shadow of the Dragon; 1993. (Y-P-GAR)
Sophomore Danny Vo tries to resolve the conflict between the values of his Vietnamese refugee family and his new American way of life.
Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders; 1967. (Y-PRD-HIN)
The struggle of three brothers to stay together after their parents’ death and their quest for identity among the conflicting values of their adolescent society.
Hinton, S.E. That Was Then, This Is Now; 1971. (Y-PRD-HIN)
Mark and Bryon have been like brothers since childhood, but now, as their involvement with girls, gangs, and drugs increases, their relationship seems to gradually disintegrate.
McClintock, Norah. Back; 2009. (Y-P-MCC Hi/Lo)
When Jojo is released from prison after serving time for beating a man into a coma, Ardell, the victim’s brother, makes plans to get revenge.
Mowry, Jess. Babylon Boyz; 1997. (Y-Mowry)
Inner-city teens find a suitcase full of cocaine and must decide whether to sell it and take the money for their dreams or destroy it to keep it from poisoning their community.
Mowry, Jess. Way Past Cool; 1992. (Y-PRD-MOW)
Living by a strict code of honor, two rival gangs in Oakland – the Friends and the Crew – find a common enemy in Deek, the drug dealer cruising their neighborhood.
Myers, Walted Dean. Autobiography of My Dead Brother; 2005. (Y-Myers)
Jesse pours his hear and soul into his sketchbook to make sense of life in his troubled Harlem neighborhood and the loss of a close friend.
Myers, Walter Dean. Monster; 1999. (Y-Myers/Y-LPeD-Myers)
While on trial as an accomplice to murder, Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the court room as he comes to terms with the course his life has taken.
Myers, Walter Dean. Scorpions; 1988. (Y-PRD-MYE)
After reluctantly taking on the leadership of the Scorpions, Jamal finds that his enemies treat him with respect when he acquires a gun until a tragedy occurs.
Naidoo, Beverley. Web of Lies; 2006. (Y-Naidoo)
When refugee Femi becomes involved with a dangerous gang, he finds himself lying to his family and in danger of legal trouble that could ruin their chances of getting asylum.
Randle, Kristen D. Breaking Rank; 1999. (Y-Randle)
Seventeen-year-old Casey has some of her preconceived notions challenged when she begins to tutor Baby, a member of a gang-like non-conformist society called the Clan.
Restrepo, Bettina. Illegal; 2011. (Y-Restrepo)
Nora faces the challenges of being an illegal immigrant in Texas when she and her mother cross the border in search of Nora’s father.
Shusterman, Neal. Red Rider’s Hood; 2005. (Y-Shusterman)
After learning there are werewolves in his city, a 16-year-old is surprised to discover the identities of the hunters who drove them out decades earlier, but he soon infiltrates the Wolves gang to help destroy them for good.
Van Diepen, Allison. Snitch; 2007. (Y-P-VAN)
Julia has no desire to get into the divide between the Crips and the Bloods at her high school, but when Eric comes into her life, her plans change.
Wright, Richard. Rite of Passage; 1994. (Y-P-WRI)
When Johnny is told that he is a foster child, he runs off into the streets of Harlem and meets up with a gang that wants him to participate in a mugging.
Young, Diane. See No Evil; 2006. (Y-P-YOU Hi/Lo)
Shawn and Daniel are scared after they witness a gang beating behind the mall.