145th Street: Short Stories

On Harlem’s legendary 145th Street, Walter Dean Myers queues up a chorus of vivid neighbors whose everyday struggles pulse like subway drumbeats, turning one city block into a mirror of nationwide hope and hurt. Jovial Big Joe plans his own over-the-top funeral so he can savor praise before the grave; starry-eyed teens Kitty and Mack chase first love under flickering streetlights; quiet Monkeyman squares off against the menacing Tigros gang, daring readers to ask why courage sometimes walks in sneakers. In this twentieth-anniversary edition, Myers layers new maps and history that spotlight Harlem’s resilient evolution, inviting classrooms and faith circles to explore Racial Justice and Community Empowerment through laughter, danger, and triumph. Each short story crackles with active verbs and spoken-word swagger, perfect for read-aloud sessions that bridge generations while challenging stereotypes about Black urban life. As Myers—a five-time Coretta Scott King winner—hands you the block party of the year, he also asks: will you simply watch these vibrant lives unfold, or step into the narrative and see your own neighborhood differently? Discover the rhythm behind the headlines and let 145th Street sing.