Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Johnson
Publisher Information: New York, NY: Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2019
Summary: Biggie Smalls was right. Thing done changed. But that doesn't mean the Quadir and Jarrell are okay letting their best friend Steph's tracks lie forgotten in his bedroom after he's killed --- not when his beats could turn any Bed-Stuy corner into a celebration, not after years of having each other's backs.
Enlisting the help of Steph's younger sister, Jasmine, Quadir and Jarrell come up with a plan to promote Steph's music under a new rap name: The Architect. Soon, everyone in Brooklyn is dancing to Steph's voice. But then his mixtape catches the attention of a hotheaded music rep and --- with just hours on the clock --- the trio must race to prove Steph's talent from beyond the grave.
Now, as the pressure --- and danger --- of keeping their secret grows, Quadir, Jarrell, and Jasmine are forced to confront the truth about what happened to Steph. Only each has something to hide. And with everything riding on Steph's fame, together they need to decide what they stand for before they lose everything they've worked so hard to hold on to --- including each other.
Book Trailer:
Read-a-Likes:
Spin by Lamar Giles
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi
Links of Interest:
Author website: writeinbk.com
Educator's guide: HERE
EpicReads video with author: HERE
The Ocean State Libraries catalog listing contains a book profile, professional reviews, reader reveiws, reading level, subject headings, and awards. Scroll down to view all the content on the page.
Classic catlog version and Encore catalog version