The engaging narrator of this child-centered collection of poems begins with an invitation to readers: “I’m DeShawn Williams / I’m ten years old / come see who I live with — / who I love!” Through poems and pictures, we meet DeShawn’s extended family: his mother, grandmother, uncle, aunt, and cousin Tiffany, all of whom live in DeShawn’s house in an urban neighborhood. DeShawn’s observations about his family, friends, school, and neighborhood show the typical concerns of many ten-year-olds. His grandmother is his confidant (“I could tell her anything / she never tells my secrets”). His cousin Tiffany (“she’s ten too / and tall and tough”) is both friend and rival. DeShawn spends most of his free time playing with Tiffany, his best friend Johnny Tse, and other kids on his block. He loves his neighborhood but hates the ever-present graffiti so much that it gives him nightmares. Uncle Richie comforts him (“Don’t worry DeShawn / it’s just words / they can’t hurt you”). The violence DeShawn sees on the evening news also scares him; when he mentions it to his teacher in a later poem, it inspires a classroom letter-writing project. Overall, DeShawn comes across as a realistic, exuberant, self-assured, yet vulnerable child, who gets plenty of emotional support from the elders in his family and at school, especially when he must face the death of his beloved grandmother. R. Gregory Christie’s fine acrylic paintings capture both the physical and emotional aspects of DeShawn’s character by using a style that effectively exaggerates heads, hands, and eyes. (Ages 6–11)

For use in schools and libraries only. Based on the author's own experiences as a child growing up in the projects, a delightful picture book follows DeShawn Williams, who wants to be a rap star and who is terrified that the graffiti in his neighborhood will come alive.