Shadows of Guilt

August 1, 2010

Gr 6 Up-These hi/lo books follow Jaris and his friends during their junior year at Tubman High. In Outrunning, the teen worries about his parents, who are experiencing marital difficulties, and his father's black moods, which the young man sometimes shares. However, he learns self-confidence when he successfully auditions for a play, and even asks his ultimate crush, Sereeta, out on a date. Shadows is a bit more dramatic. When his sister's friend is accidentally shot in a drive-by, Jaris learns that the bullet was aimed for DeWayne, his rival for Sereeta's affections, but he resists telling her until it is too late and she is placed in danger. Though Jaris's immediate neighborhood is safe, "a whole other world" of crime and gangs exists across Grant Avenue, and he often comes into contact with classmates who have dropped out and sell drugs or are taggers. However, he and his friends show concern for each other, try to do well at school, and are careful to stay out of the trouble that often surrounds them. With obvious moral messages, these books might not have a strong following in general YA collections.-Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library

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