Bluford High - Blood is Thicker *1/2

by Paul Langan and D.M. Blackwell
published 2004 by Townsend Press
pages 156

This is a young adult series about teenagers living in urban environments. Apparently it's quite popular amongst teens and preteens. It's easy to see why since I doubt that there is much good literature about urban teenagers. Though I could be wrong.

My problem with it is that there is not enough ambiguity in the narrative. The basic story is that a kid (Hakeem) needs to move to Detroit from California because his father is ill and lost his job and needs to see a doctor in Michigan. He rooms with his older cousin (Savon) who he hasn't seen for years. Apparently his cousin seems to be leading a secret life and running with the wrong crowd. The story is resolved too simply for me. Basically, it was a case of misunderstanding and Savon is an upright kid. I think it would have been more interesting if Savon was actually involved in the things he was suspected of, but would have had inner conflict with right and wrong.

To be sure the characters are appealing. Hakeem's love interest is a "bad" girl who is trying to go good. She ends up leaving Detroit to escape the bad influences that surround her. Perhaps this would be a more interesting story, because she was actually a "bad" girl once. I'm willing to bet that she has her own book.