Fifteen-year-old Gia Stokes knows exactly what she needs to make her life fantabulous: • Get her mother Gwendolyn to let her relax her hair. • Find a boy to ask her out. • Get on the Hi-Steppers dance squad. Gia doesn't have the hair or the clothes, but she's got the moves and the attitude to make her sophomore year at Longfellow High unforgettable. But not everyone agrees, so Gia decides it's time for a makeover. With her stylish new look,...

"Since Shelbi enrolled at Windward Academy as a senior and won't be there very long, she hasn't bothered making friends. What her classmates don't know about her can't be used to hurt her--you know, like it did at her last school. Andy Criddle is not okay. At all. He's had far too much to drink. Again. Which is bad. And things are about to get worse. When Shelbi sees Andy at his lowest, she can relate. So she doesn't resist reaching out. And there's...

Back for another dose of high drama, Compton's sassiest, Jayd Jackson, is about to discover it really is a different world when she starts dating South Bay High's finest white boy. . . All Jayd Jackson wants is a drama-free year at South Bay High, a.k.a. Drama High. But it doesn't seem she's going to get it. It's only the second week of Junior year and already, Misty, her nemesis, has almost gotten her killed after instigating a fight between Jayd...

Between Christmas, the annual Fall Festival, and baby-mama issues, South Bay High is vibrating with activity, excitement, and drama. . . The holidays are coming, along with all the madness and materialism that comes with them. As usual, Jayd is just trying to stay sane while everyone around her is losing it. Mickey's got a major secret and Jayd's girl Nellie is trying to stir up trouble with her loose lips. Vengeful Laura is trying to undermine Jayd's...

"With profound compassion and lyricism, Morisseau brings us a powerful play that delves into the urgent issue of the "school-to-prison" pipeline that ensnares people of color. Issues of class, race, parenting, and education in America are brought to the front lines, as we are left to question the systematic structures that ultimately trap underserved communities." --

"Misty and the rest of Esmeralda's evil brood are busy concocting a sinister plan to not only destroy Jayd and the rest of her powerful lineage, but Esmeralda and Rousseau are also using their powers to take over G's drug business. Mama's in and out of a dangerous dream state due to Esmeralda's wicked manipulation and unable to properly shut her evil neighbor down. Jayd's left to deal with her own clients, Mama's spirit business, and her drama filled...

Her relationship with now ex-boyfriend Jeremy behind her, Jayd realizes drama is just a never-ending part of daily life. Even so, she's reached here limit, battling with her new boss, jealousies at school, and tensions at home. To deal with it all, Jayd is ready to give her attention to her legacy as one in a long line of conjure women. But that legacy comes with a line of rivals too--and a couple of them are much to close to home.

A YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers South Bay High's Jayd Jackson finally has her own ride, but that sure doesn't mean her troubles are over. . . These days, Jayd just can't seem to get a break. Her car is more trouble than it's worth; her girl Mickey is being forced to attend continuation school; and Rah and his ex Sandy are still arguing. Despite these distractions, Jayd concentrates on making potions for hair and developing...

"At South Bay High, the drama just keeps on going...In the long-awaited 15th volume of the Drama High series, "Street Soldiers" picks up with a murder in front of Jayd's grandparents house. Mama and Daddy are convinced the police have the wrong suspect in custody and have joined forces to help organize the neighborhood to find the real killer..."--P. [4] of cover.

Fed up with the way her school is handling Cultural Awareness Day, Jayd decides to form the first African Student Union. At the same time, she can't deny her attraction for Emilio, the new Latino sophmore at South Bay High.