Overview
Theresa Anderson is every kind of smart: too smart-mouthed for her own good, street smart enough to deal with a neighborhood that gets more dangerous every day, and more book smart than anyone knows. But with the example of her super-achieving older brother towering above her, Theresa hasn't even been trying. How can a girl compete against the family favorite, especially when he's a certified local hero? With her parents and her teachers always on her case, and her best friend pregnant and dropped out of school, Theresa turns to hip-hop for comfort. Her favorite singers seem to understand her when no one else does.Everything changes when a new man comes into Theresa's life: Devon, whose tough-guy reputation conceals a blazing ambition for academic success. Devon helps Theresa face up to her own talent and ambition, and together they set off on a three-year quest to beat the SAT and get into top colleges. But then Devon gets shot in a street fight, leaving Theresa with two piles of unfinished college applications-her own and Dev's-and time running out. . . .
Synopsis
Theresa Anderson is every kind of smart: too smart-mouthed for her own good, street smart enough to deal with a neighborhood that gets more dangerous every day, and more book smart than anyone knows. But with the example of her super-achieving older brother towering above her, Theresa hasn’t even been trying. How can a girl compete against the family favorite, especially when he’s a certified local hero? With her parents and her teachers always on her case, and her best friend pregnant and dropped out of school, Theresa turns to hip-hop for comfort. Her favorite singers seem to understand her when no one else does.
Everything changes when a new man comes into Theresa’s life: Devon, whose tough-guy reputation conceals a blazing ambition for academic success. Devon helps Theresa face up to her own talent and ambition, and together they set off on a three-year quest to beat the SAT and get into top colleges. But then Devon gets shot in a street fight, leaving Theresa with two piles of unfinished college applications—her own and Dev’s—and time running out. . . .
Alan Review
Alan Sitomer first introduced the Anderson family in The Hoopster, a novel that traced Andre Anderson's battle with racist teens. Now, we learn more about Andre's younger sister, Theresa (Tee-Ay), as she struggles in the shadow of her respected older brother. The novel begins the first day of her sophomore year, detailing her struggles with the hard reality of her urban high school and her secret desires to make it to USC upon high school graduation. With hip-hop and its messages ever present, Tee-Ay uses her love of music to help understand her friends' struggles with violence, poverty and teen pregnancy, all the while secretly practicing her SAT vocabulary in hopes of escaping these realities. Told in the language of urban youth, this novel provides an honest look into what it is like to try to survive in an inner-city school. Rather than settling for despair, however, Tee-Ay learns how to make something of herself through her budding friendship with Devon, the class valedictorian, and her ambivalent relationship with her teacher Mr. Wardin.
Editorials
Children's Literature
How can Theresa Anderon compete against her super achieving older brother, the family favorite? She has not even been trying, although she has talent and ambition. Her parents and teachers are always after her. Her best friend gets pregnant and drops out of school. Then, Theresa turns to hip-hop for comfort. Her favorite singers seem to understand her. Everything changes when Devon, a tough guy with an ambition for academic success, comes into her life. They set out on a quest to beat the SAT and get into top colleges. Devon gets into a street fight, leaving Theresa with unfinished college applications for both of them and time is running out. This is a somewhat funny story about coming from behind to battle the SAT monster as told in Theresa's hip-hop flavored voice. The book is a good character study. It is very well written and holds one's attention. 2006, Hyperion Books for Children, Ages 12 to 18.—Naomi Butler
VOYA
This energetic sequel to The Hoopster (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2005/VOYA August 2005) features Andre Anderson's younger sister Theresa. "Tee-Ay" is a high school honors student who enjoys listening to hip-hop, eating junk food, and discussing boys with her best friends, Cee-Saw and Sonia. Tee-Ay often feels overlooked by her solidly middle class parents, who seem to focus their energy on her two brilliant brothers. Before long, Cee-Saw becomes pregnant and drops out of school. Then Sonia is forced to leave school to help support her family. In spite of feeling stifled by her family and worried about her friends, Tee-Ay concentrates on studying for the SAT in the hope of being accepted to the University of Southern California. By her senior year, she has become close friends and study partners with Devon Hampton, the school valedictorian. In a sickening twist, before Devon is able to finish his college admissions essay, he is shot in the neck and hospitalized. In a burst of inspiration, Tee-Ay finishes Devon's essay for him and mails his applications just before the deadline, resulting in Devon's acceptance to Harvard and Princeton, among others. Sitomer creates a wonderfully multifaceted cast of characters from the intelligent and hardworking to the shortsighted and intellectually doomed. Tee-Ay shines with loyalty, humor, kindness, and zest for life. This sobering novel is both inspiring and poignant. While Sitomer refrains from becoming didactic, his passionate message concerning the value of education will be clear to his readers. VOYA CODES: 5Q 4P J S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, definedas grades 10 to 12). 2006, Hyperion, 384p., Ages 12 to 18.—Dotsy Harland