Yummy
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty is a dramatization based on events that occurred in Chicago in 1994. It tells the story of Robert “Yummy” Sandifer, a young boy whose death made national headlines.
In the comic book-style novel written by G. Neri and illustrated by Randy DuBurke, 11-year-old Roger is trying to understand his classmate Robert “Yummy” Sandifer’s death, but making sense of his short, violent life may prove most difficult.
Yummy was a bundle of contradictions. He ran with a local gang, went to jail frequently and police were accusing him of murdering a 14-year-old neighborhood girl. But Yummy also loved sweets and kept a teddy bear.
As Roger struggles to determine whether Yummy was some sort of monster or a kid gone awry, he encounters more questions and a few clues that point back to the gang Yummy joined before his death. Roger’s older brother also belonged to that group of local terrors, and Roger soon finds himself ensnared in a gang war he wants no part of.
Final word: An exploration of gang life that forces readers to question their understanding of right and wrong, good and evil.
In stores now. For more information, visit gregneri.com.
Love Your Life: O’s Handbook for Your Best Today – And Tomorrow
In celebration of O, The Oprah Magazine, the media mogul has released Love Your Life!: O’s Handbook for Your Best Today- And Tomorrow, to inspire women as they strive for excellence in love, finance, family and more.
The fifth volume of the book series includes more than 75 intimate and revealing stories from the editors of O, essays about extraordinary everyday people, advice and wisdom from top experts in various fields and Oprah’s exclusive chats with celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, Jay-Z and Michelle Obama.
“When the O team pulled together this year’s brightest of the bunch – the stories that most thrilled and inspired us – we had just one thought in mind: You,” wrote Winfrey, founder and editorial director of O, The Oprah Magazine. “This book is meant to help you let your own life shine. And when your dreams grow dim (at some point, they always do) and you’re low on gust (I’ve been there, too), I hope you’ll use the compendium as a guidebook to get back on track.”
Final word: Inspiration for the masses.
Available now. For more information, visit: oprah.com
Dark Clouds
Overwhelmed by depression and fear, Ruby is headed for a breakdown. It’s that secret, which if it comes to light, could destroy her family. But if she doesn’t speak out, she may be in danger. What is Ruby to do?
Writer Crystal L. Bass keeps readers guessing as she uses humor, working-class characters and heartfelt pathos to move readers through the story of a teen caught in a quagmire. Set in late 1980s Baltimore, Bass crafts the story of Ruby Bowers and her dysfunctional family. Her mother, Diane, has four children she calls her “precious gems.” The struggling mother rarely shows her affection, however, and each child seems to battle inner demons and a series of dark clouds.
Final word: Coming-of-age tale told with humor and boundless drama.
Available now. For more information visit crystalclearpublications.com.