Zero Fade

A striking debut from an African American author who teaches writing and theatre to juvenile inmates in Chicago.Confirmed blurbs already in from Adam Mansbach,Audrey Niffenegger, Don De Grazia.This first-person teen narrative uses humor to address: homophobia in the African-American community; the complex issue of bullying among teens and adults; nontraditional family dynamics such as absentee fathers and single mothers; '90s pop culture in a way that engages young readers while appealing to adults; youth culture as defined by the golden age of hip-hop; representations of African-Americans in the media; life in inner-city Richmond, Virginia (where author grew up); the atmosphere of the modern American south; malls and the culture of hanging out; basketball; urban schools; the first taste of rebellion against authority; understanding consequences; how much it sucks to be grounded; the teenage search for identity and meaning; teenage romance; unrequited love; teens'challenges with family and friend relationships adolescent misconceptions; the impact of coming out on individuals and those close to them; how violence transforms; the politics of hair; the mystique of the African-American barbershop; the appearance issues related to body image and fashion; rites of passage for young black men; conceptions of masculinity; and the quest for flyness.