LAST SUMMER ON STATE STREET

Author Toya Wolfe draws on her own childhood for this powerful debut novel that examines the summer of 1999. That was the summer when the demolition of the Robert Taylor Houses on Chicago's South Side uprooted everyone's lives. Narrator Shayna Small, as FeFe, reflects upon that time with an engaging voice. As FeFe relives those events, Small moves smoothly into distinct character voices, making local accents easy to understand. FeFe's voice is full of love and worry for her brother, Meechie, and her friends Precious, Stacia, and Tonya. Stacia is testing her voice and power as she tries to find her place in her gangsta family. Tonya is fearful as she craves friendship, at the same time needing to protect her mother and herself. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2022]