Tyrell lives in the projects and faces pres - sures from all fronts—a father just out of jail, a brother in foster care, and roommates who deal drugs. A gritty, raw, and realistic account of life on the streets.

Originally published on Read Handed.

The story is about sixteen year old Tyrell and the struggles he faces as his father gets out of prison and tries to reunite the family. Tyrell has been living with his friend and his friend's brothers, who are drug dealers. Tyrell's eight-year-old brother, Troy, has been in foster care struggling to adjust. When their father starts up his old tricks again, Tyrell is determined to prove that he is his own man now, and doesn't need his father to support him. But his roommates are pressuring him to help out with their "family business" or move out, and Tyrell doesn't know where else to go. He's also struggling with his feelings for three girls: his ex-girlfriend who betrayed him, the hottest girl in the neighborhood, and his best friend, who is fifteen but lives with an older man who might want her for more than an adopted daughter.

So yeah, Bronxwood is a pretty rough book. While the content (drugs, sex, violence) probably isn't appropriate for many younger teens, the writing is easy to read and accessible. I'd say that this is a good book choice for older teens who don't read on grade level, and who are perhaps dealing with some of Tyrell's issues themselves. For me, it was an interesting and quick read that took me into a world I'd never frequent in real life. Isn't that what books are for? ( )

Tyrell is back, and is still trying to keep it together for his family and his friends. But Dad gets out of jail, and he wants Tyrell to step back and let him deal with things. Past experience doesn't predict future results, but Tyrell doesn't believe that Dad will be around long enough to make things right, and the man's violent tendencies are bound to mess things up. ( )