Awards
2002 Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor Book
Synopses & Reviews
Thirteen-year-old Raspberry Hill will do just about anything legal to get her hands on money. Memories of being homeless haunt her. But even money can't answer the questions that keep Raspberry awake at night, such as will she and her mother ever move out of the projects? And what did her friend Ja'nae do with the $200 Raspberry loaned her?
Review
"The razor-sharp dialogue and unerring details evoke characters, rooms, and neighborhoods with economy and precision, creating a story that's immediate, vivid, and unsensationalized. Without synthetic drama or stereotypes, Flake shows poverty and how it touches everyone, whether it's the actual absence of money or the fear of losing it." Gillian Engberg, Booklist (Starred Review)
Review
"Tough and tender, with moments of humor, this is a riveting story. The streetwise Raspberry and the mean streets she inhabits are vividly portrayed in the vernacular of the streets, and hers is a story that is hard to put down. Urban kids will nod their heads in agreement with Raspberry, and suburban kids will come away with a new understanding and respect." Children's Literature
Review
"Where Flake excels is in her depiction of these people and their lives. Most of the many characters spring to life....As a slice-of-life story and in the depiction of relationships, this book is vivid, compelling, and disturbing. Teen readers either will see themselves in it or have their eyes opened." VOYA
Review
"Flake does a stunning job of intertwining Raspberry's story with daily urban scenes, and she writes smoothly and knowingly of teen problems, discussions, and reactions. Focused storytelling, clear writing, and a compelling voice are the highlights of this short novel." School Library Journal
Synopsis
All thirteen-year-old Raspberry can think of is making money so that she and her mother never have to worry about living on the streets again.