Drama is no stranger to Tiara James. When it felt like the world had finally changed the hand that she'd been dealt, reality continued to creep up on her. With a mom on the verge of becoming an alcoholic and an alcoholic crack-addicted father who use to beat her mom in front of her, who could blame Tiara for finding a family on the streets. Tiara's loyalty to her friends was undeniable. The crew consisted of, Tiara, Tamika, Shavon, Renee, Ke Ke and Karen. They jumped, robbed and fought other girls who stood in their way. When trouble surfaced, the crew had no problems with getting their hands dirty. Tiara was faithful to her crew handling any drama that presented itself. But when jealousy get's the best of friends, things continued to get ugly. With an older brother Tre James wrapped deeply into the streets becoming a drug dealer at 13, their younger brother Sharod had no choice but to admire both Tre and Tiara's lifestyle. Tragedy continued to hit home and Tiara's life continued to go down hill. She lost people who she loved and trusted the most to death, jail or betrayal. From welfare, section 8, jail, drugs, abusive relationships and lies, Tiara's future seems uncertain. Will she finally rise above the drama that meets her at every corner, or remain trapped in the jaws of the hood? Brace yourself as Tiara James takes you on a rollercoaster ride in her footsteps, in her hood, telling her story.

The whole gang is back in the highly anticipated sequel of It is What it is a Hood Love Story. Everyone has a past filled with secrets. The question is will the person you're with, love you the same when they find out your deepest and darkest secrets? This time around love will be entangled with hidden skeletons and everyone has them. Whose love is strong enough to overcome secrets and whose relationship will fall by the wayside? Carlos hasn't exactly been a choir boy; but no one can deny the love he has for Lucky. Is love really enough when his past indiscretions have left permanent scars on Lucky's heart that are now manifesting through distrust and insecurities? Can Lucky let his previous mistakes stay in the past or is she bound to let it ruin their future? When we last left off in an act of jealousy and mistrust Lucky set forward a chain of events that left both her and Los in handcuffs. Is this the last straw? Or can their love survive this test?Both Keema and Jah are living the life they'd always dreamed. Husband and wife are now parents to a bouncing baby boy and another blessing on the way. The newlyweds soon find out that life isn't as perfect as they thought it would be. When Keema is suddenly contacted by someone from her past, will she end up letting this individual sabotage her future?Ty and Nice are finally together and she couldn't be happier. With the honeymoon phase of their relationship over she's finding out that balancing her career and home life isn't all that easy. Especially, when outside forces seem to keep trying to pull them apart. With Mia creating Baby Mama drama in epic proportions and a dark secret threatening to ruin their relationship could their relationship survive?

National Book Critics Circle Award Winner National Bestseller Lambda Literary Award Finalist NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TIME * NPR * The Washington Post * Kirkus Reviews * Washington Independent Review of Books * The Millions * Electric Literature * Ms Magazine * Entropy Magazine * Largehearted Boy * Passerbuys “Irreverent and original.” –New York Times “Magisterial.” –The New Yorker “An intoxicating writer.” –The Atlantic “A classic!” –Mary Karr “A true light in the dark.” –Stephanie Danler “An essential, heartbreaking project.” –Carmen Maria Machado A gripping set of stories about the forces that shape girls and the adults they become. A wise and brilliant guide to transforming the self and our society. In her powerful new book, critically acclaimed author Melissa Febos examines the narratives women are told about what it means to be female and what it takes to free oneself from them. When her body began to change at eleven years old, Febos understood immediately that her meaning to other people had changed with it. By her teens, she defined herself based on these perceptions and by the romantic relationships she threw herself into headlong. Over time, Febos increasingly questioned the stories she'd been told about herself and the habits and defenses she'd developed over years of trying to meet others' expectations. The values she and so many other women had learned in girlhood did not prioritize their personal safety, happiness, or freedom, and she set out to reframe those values and beliefs. Blending investigative reporting, memoir, and scholarship, Febos charts how she and others like her have reimagined relationships and made room for the anger, grief, power, and pleasure women have long been taught to deny. Written with Febos' characteristic precision, lyricism, and insight, Girlhood is a philosophical treatise, an anthem for women, and a searing study of the transitions into and away from girlhood, toward a chosen self.

From Mz. Biggs comes a beautifully crafted urban romance, A Boss And A Hood Chick, full of heartbreak, betrayal, and unexpected love. Living in the hood comes without faults and Nakosha "KoKo" Banks learns this firsthand. Getting pregnant at a young age causes her to lose the sheltered life she had growing up. With a gorgeous face and body sculpted like a goddess, she uses what she has to get what she wants. While dealing with her own mental pain, she still has strong goals and ambitions and is determined to do whatever she has to do to reach them. The only obstacle standing before her is the dead-end relationship she has been in with her baby daddy. His last attempt to cheat is more than she can handle. When she finally has enough and is ready to walk away, the question is, will he make it easy for her?Being the man in the streets was not something Hassan takes lightly. He is the true definition of a Boss, and with that always comes with someone gunning for your spot. Always focusing on the streets, he never understood the meaning of love. That is until he lays eyes on KoKo. Will she be the one to show him that love does exist?Follow the crew through the ups and downs of this Five-Star read, "A Boss and A Hood Chick."

"Filled with love, hope, and longing, this is a novel for readers of all ages." - Holly Goldberg Sloan Bestselling author Ann Hood crafts a funny, heartfelt story of a girl growing up in the heart of Beatlemania. The year is 1966. The Vietnam War rages overseas, the Beatles have catapulted into stardom, and twelve-year-old Rhode Island native Trudy Mixer is not thrilled with life. Her best friend, Michelle, has decided to become a cheerleader, everyone at school is now calling her Gertrude (her hated real name), and the gem of her middle school career, the Beatles fan club, has dwindled down to only three other members--the least popular kids at school. And at home, her workaholic father has become even more distant. Determined to regain her social status and prove herself to her father, Trudy looks toward the biggest thing happening worldwide: the Beatles. She is set on seeing them in Boston during their final world tour--and meeting her beloved Paul McCartney. So on a hot August day, unknown to their families, Trudy and crew set off on their journey, each of them with soaring hopes for what lies ahead. In her signature prose, Hood crafts an extraordinary story of growing up, making unexpected connections, and following your dreams even as the world in front of you--and the world at large--is changing too fast.

Ruby loves to play superhero, so when her mother gives her a “mission” that takes her into the deep, dark woods, Ruby throws on her red cloak to become … Super Red Riding Hood! Nothing can scare her — except maybe coming face-to-face with a big bad wolf. What would a superhero do? A story of guts and girl power, this is a fun update on a familiar tale.

My name is Christianna Faith Leonard. I am named after a man of great honor. Yet, how deep I fall short from my namesake is immeasurable. From a distance, my life is a dream. My house in the suburbs is beautiful. Our picturesque family photo sits on the mantle of a fireplace looking as if it were ripped straight out of a magazine. I never miss choir rehearsal. My grades and volunteer work have earned me a scholarship to college. My polite manners are impeccable; quick to say please and thank you. I am the trusted neighborhood babysitter. But behind the facade of a good girl, I am a young woman covered in guilt, sin, and secrets. Shame is my childhood friend, never too far away like a loyal companion. Even still, my biggest dream is to just be loved and accepted for who I really am. You can call me Tianna or Ti for short. I am a good girl. I am a hood girl.My name is Bianca Williams. My mom chose my name. People call me Bi for short. I can't tell you how many times they call me that for a different reason altogether. It's annoying and kinda pisses me off. But I ain't letting nobody have power over me like that. If there is one thing I learned growing up in North Camden, is having tough skin. Can't let them see you sweatin' the small stuff. Can't show weakness or you'll get eaten up alive out here. Yet, a big, soft heart beats within me. I can't let it become hardened like these cold, crime-ridden streets. I have dreams and goals. My dad doesn't know it, but he needs me. I need to make my Mom proud. Don't get me wrong, I will throw hands up real quick because I am ain't scared of anyone or anything. Well, anything except being alone. That is a fear that a hood mentality can't seem to eradicate. Even still, I long to be loved and safe. I am a hood girl. I am a good girl.

The Feds labeled her the Queen of Tax Fraud, and accused her of defrauding the United States government out of twenty-one million dollars. The streets called her the 1$t Lady. BET gave her the title TRAP QUEEN. Whatever the label, RASHIA WILSON wore it well because she was undisputedly a BO$$ CHICK and Tampa Bay's most well-known female HOOD STAR. Like many around the way girls, Rashia was born into a desultory struggle of which she saw no way out of but to hustle and grind. Along the way, she was used by man after man, and she was in and out of jail for an array of crimes and money schemes. But, when she crosses paths with a particular street entrepreneur, Rashia quickly goes from hood rat status and groupie to SUPASTAR. With her newfound celebrity and ill-gained wealth, Rashia is courted by many of your favorite rappers, entertainers and professional athletes, and she's giving up the tea in her steamy relationships with many of them. Unfortunately, with the fame comes a plethora of haters and the Feds, who are always watching. When Rashia's rock star life takes a drastic turn for the worst, will THE LIFE OF A HOOD STAR be worth the long prison sentence that awaited her?

"Alan Dundes of the University of California, Berkeley, continues his exploration of well-loved fairy tales with this casebook on one of the best-known of them all: Little Red Riding Hood. The twelve essays are by international scholars representing an impressive cross section of theoretical approaches."--Page 4 of cover.