Simone tells authentic stories of teen life in the \'hood better than any other author currently writing contemporary YA street lit.
Instead, we\'ve been forced.
So why the state won\'t let us do our own thing is beyond me.
I\'m good, and so is my little brother.
But so what.
I\'ve been on my own since I was nine and now I\'m sixteen. -- Library Journal on Teenage Love Affair (starred review) True story: I\'m Gem, G-E-M, like a precious jewel, and my life has been nothing like my name.
Simone tells authentic stories of teen life in the \'hood better than any other author currently writing contemporary YA street lit