Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers
A Review By: AT
Best-selling author Walter Dean Myers has received two Newbery Honors and was the first ever recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award.
At a young age, Lil J. Skin started stealing pain pills from his mom whenever he started to feel stressed - but now he's graduated to the big leagues. After Lil J. partners with a pusher named Rico on a sweet deal, events take a shocking turn when the buyer - an undercover police officer - is shot and Lil J. winds up wounded and hiding in a crack house.
Review Notes:
Audio Book Publication Year: 2009
An installment in a Series? No
Narrator (s): JD Jackson
Myers delivers a gut-punch of a story about the trials faced by today's youth.
This short book was masterfully written, uncomfortable at times, heartbreaking at others. Lil J is in trouble and hiding from the police in a rundown apartment building repurposed as a crack house. There, he is forced to face the decisions and circumstances that led him to this place and tasked with deciding what his best next move is. This story is raw, contains some profanity, and depicts alcoholism and drug use; all, I believe, are necessary to adequately tell the story. The fantasy element serves to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and engrossed in the story. JD Jackson masterfully narrates this story, expertly channeling Lil J's pain and confusion. At times, it felt like I was sitting in the room with the characters watching the scenes play out. Absolutely stellar narration!
Reading Recommendation? Yes!
Rating: NORTH STAR RATING
Content Warnings? Physical abuse/violence
