Helen Plum Library

Originally published pseudonymously in 1893, "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets" follows the tragic tale of Maggie and her life in the harsh streets and tenements of the New York City Bowery district. Initially rejected by publishers for being viewed as too brutal and accurate in its descriptions of poverty and female sexuality, Stephen Crane published the work at his own expense. Following the success of Crane's novel "The Red Badge of Courage," this...

Revisit the debut novel of one of the "New Negroes" of the Harlem Renaissance filled with Niggerati sensibilities. Disgruntled by the treatment of Black soldiers in the military, Jake Brown heads to Harlem-the Mecca of Black creativity-to rebuild his life anew. Upon arriving, he discovers that Harlem isn't exactly the paradise of racial uplift and unity that one might read about in books; but then again, it's a far cry from the volatile streets of...

Drugs turn out to be a way of life for Rich, a powerful, sexy Drug Lord hailing from Washington, D. C. His desire for fast money and the extravagant things that it brings puts his family in harm's way. Soon, his ego forces him to leave his castle and empire to expand business on the West Coast. His decision to leave his love ones behind at the mercy of his enemies turns out to be catastrophic. One by one, each of Rich's children spiral out of control....

A domestic story told in numerous original and endearing voices. The story opens with Wesley, a tenth grader, and involves his two sets of parents (the mom and her second husband, a very thoughtful doctor; and the father who has become a major gay lawyer/activist and his fabulous "significant other" who owns a restaurant).
Wesley is a fabulous kid, whose equally fabulous best friend Theo has just won a big school election and simultaneously

...

Driven by a desperate housing shortage on Vancouver's troubled Downtown Eastside, local activists begin a guerrilla campaign to target Olympic sponsors. Then, with the Games just six scant months away, social unrest erupts leaving the neighbourhood in ruins. Will the Games be stopped as police race to catch the anarchists? The Countdown Clock is ticking.

Tony Wolfe is a messenger for a major bank and runs errands for its CEO. A hard worker with excellent people skills, Tony's efforts pay off and he is hired by the bank permanently. A few months later, he is promoted to purchasing agent. Celebrating his newfound success, he goes out to celebrate and sniffs cocaine for the first time. The pleasurable high he experiences hooks him on the drug and sets off the path of his destruction. Eventually Tony...

D. A. Webb, the boldest new voice in the urban/street fiction genre, takes you on a "G" ride through the greedy streets of Houston, Texas, with Lonny Akbar (aka L. A.) who's a former trap king and drug trafficker. Since he was released from federal prison, after pulling a ten-year bid, L. A. has a successful custom leather business with his wife, Olivia. He's worked hard for five years building the business, then he finds himself thrust into the...

The years have come and gone quickly, and Face and Reese are no longer the precocious, young street thugs who vandalized the streets of Philly. Older and polished, they are two young men focused on strictly winning in the drug game; a feat few succeed in. After meeting Drug-lords, Rico and Jose Gomez, all their childhood fantasies have become reality. Amble cash, expensive-luxurious cars, and beautiful women are at their beck and call. Life could...

A Boogie Down Story is a gripping fast paced drama jumping off at the beginning of the Hip Hop era. The explosion of the culture is a visual backdrop. Up in the Bronx where the people are fresh, The Blue Circle was the favorite hangout for b-boys and girls. As the culture grows so does the bond between four friends. Dawn, Keya, Forster, and Cash. Dawn juggles real love with her parents self centered dreams. Keya is from a decent family, but her life...

Homicide Detective LI Yang struggles with a cold case file that is causing him much mental anguish. Not only has his failure in closing the case bruised his almost perfect track record, and inflated ego but it has also begun to affect his work ethic, and personal life. Can the districts golden boy pull himself together in time.to save potential murder victims or has he already begun to sprial out of control beyond the point of no return.