Snow White:: A Survival Story

by Anna J.

Anna J. is back with a riveting novel depicting the devastation caused by cocaine use in a Southwest Philadelphia community.

You have to use what you got to get what you want. For Journey Clayton, this statement rings more than true as she struggles under the weight of her mother's cocaine addiction. She learns from a very young age that family doesn't offer as much help as she hoped they would. It's not until she befriends Khalid, the son of a neighborhood drug dealer, who is trying to stay above the struggle himself, that she starts to believe there might just be hope . . . even for little girls in the ghetto.
Snow White is a story of survival, betrayal, strength, and courage. It will pull you in from the very beginning and won't let you go until the last page. As seen through the eyes of a young girl coming of age, observe how Journey struggles to survive amidst the deception, violence, and murder that surround her.

Genres: Friendship, Fiction, Urban, Drugs

183 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Anna J. started writing as a child, creating short stories in her creative writing classes. This later turned into writing poetry in high school. In her early twenties she entered a short story contest, and her first work of fiction "Stories To Excite You: Menage Quad" was published. Always an avid reader, Anna J. saw a void in the industry. The types of books she wanted to read hadn't been written yet. With that in mind, she penned her first book "My Woman His Wife", published in 2004, which quickly became an Essence Magazine best seller. Anna J went on to pen 12 novels. She also participated in 9 short story compilations, and self-published 9 works of fiction.
Anna J. Is currently at work on future releases.

Reviews

[Danita Brown]

OMG! That was good as he'll and sad all at the same time. I was hoping Journey would have a happy ending, but we all know that it can't b like that all the time. I am glad Vince got his though. I hope.

[April]

4.5 ⭐️ | I’m not quite sure what to start with this one. I’ve been an Anna J. fan for quite a while but never dug into her gritty urban fiction catalog. I have read thrillers, romance, and now urban fiction from this author. I’m just convinced she can write anything at this point. Too many emotions were brought out in this book to count. Journey’s story was sad, heartbreaking, yet way too realistic. This book was raw and unfiltered & I loved it/hated it all at the same time! Great and emotional read.

[Tea]

An extremely sad story. The writing was pretty intense, but well done. I read it through to the end but in my opinion, it wasn't worth the time it took to read it. And a survival story!???!
So what was that ending about? Not that the title is supposed to divulge everything, but I was hoping a stronger person would be the outcome instead of the ending that was given. Furthermore, if I wanted to be depressed by the end of a book, I could pick up a newspaper.
Not my cup of tea.

[K.augustine]

This survival story is of nine year old Journey Clayton. Not only is her mother bedridden with AIDS, but is also addicted to what the streets call Snow White. In constant fear of her mother dying and ultimately being placed in the foster care system, small Journey does whatever she has to do to prolong their survival. Her father's brother, Uncle Vince, is the only other family that Journey has. He keeps food in the house, clothes on her back, and stops by every few days with her mother's twice daily fix. He drills in her head that nothing comes for free, so in return for what he provides he demands Journey perform sexual favors among other things.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel for Journey in the form of her classmate and neighbor Khalid. They grow close, share secrets about their mothers, and fall in love. More in love than any two nine years old could possibly be. Unfortunately this part of the story line falls short because of it's intensity. These children are unrealistically and significantly more mature than their peers and have the mentality of adults. It is definitely sensible to expect Journey to be more grown up than others her age due to what she has endured, but her frame of mind surpasses anything practical.

This dark and twisty tale isn't only about poor Journey. We voyeuristically weave in and out of the lives of her uncle while he attempts to flood the streets with Snow White, and Khalid's parents, Joey Street and Shanyce. Khalid's parents are only together because of him and when Joey finally acknowledges that his woman is allowing half the town to visit their bedroom, things hit the fan. They clearly have their issues but Mr. Joey just wants what is best for his son. All in all, it was definitely interesting to follow the lives of these deceitful people in hopes of seeing what becomes of the entire cast of characters.

[Lesa Divine]

Ok I am going to start off by saying I like Anna J's books she's a great author but, not so into this book as I thought. I thought it was going to be great with a A plus plus to it but, it was a somewhat ok. Wont knock to story line at all. I like that it was mostly done in a childs point of view of things starting at 9 Journey was doing things I wouldn't ever thought of a child ever doing at her age.

Her mom was a crackhead dying for AIDS so she was mainly been taken care of by her crazy uncle Vince that I totally didn't like he was a nasty man that had a thang for little kids OMG. Now Vince is a drug dealer that mainly has his crew but one man Streets he mainly having sex with Street's childs mom and then getting her hooked on the Snow White in the process.

Now there is Bunz he is a big time killer that just dont care who he kills he just don't want not witness.

There is Khalid him and Journey ends up growing up together and being a little couple. They fall for each other and Journey decides to tell him a secret about herself and she thought things was going to change between them but, it didn't they end up growing up together but, still Vince was still doing his thang with Journey and yet Journey haven't said, a word to Khalid.

Overall it was alright but, wishing it was more. But, I am still going to be a Anna J fan.

[Alexis]

I kept seeing this book in my view "books you might like", "books recommended for you" etc, and I finally decided to read it. It was exactly what I thought it would be... another depressing grimmey a*s fu*ked up story about a little girl from the hood, but on the other hand, it was still interesting and grabbed my attention. I guess I really am a sucker for books like these and I either loved or hated it. This one, I loved though. I liked how the author split the book into two parts, and as it transition so did the plot and characters which was good. Characters either changed for the better, or got worse but the story continued to build. Journey and Khalid's relationship was just too cute && I wonder what would have happened if Journey had the chance to come clean about everything... for instance what really had always happened between her and Vince. Please say there is a part 2 !

[Guppy]

OMG!!! Best book up 2 date... This is a must read... i hope it didnt end the way it did and theres a part 2!! had this book hidden in my closet 4 agess dunno wat took me soo long to read it in the first place... had me hooked from the first page neva read a book so fast finished in 3 hours... Anna J if eva u come asross this comment you neeeed 2 gt out a 2nd part....Journey went thru soo much in her life she deserved a happily ever after wit Khalid...

[Whitney]

this book spoke real life sitations that some people face from my city to yours. its a gritty and grimey story but also sad..

[Heather]

Oh boy, this was a far cry from my normal reads! I would have rated it higher but we had soooo many POVs and it just jumped around, like the POVs were an excuse to stick explicit sex scenes in there that didnt add to the plot. One guy I thought oh no he's gonna be a big bad, but he didn't do anything? I wanted more from Journey and her man! They were so cute.

The ending had me shook, though I wasn't exactly disappointed by it. This was a gritty book through and through! The sex, the drugs, okay. But the pedo stuff was disturbing and I wanted so bad for her to get away!!

[Kim Rabb]

A different reality

For me it was an okay read. The plot had potential and tackled the harsh realities of growing up in the hood, which made it both heartbreaking and honest. However, there were so many characters and storylines that it felt scattered at times. Still beneath the chaos was an important message about survival, trauma, and the difficult choices many people face. It may not have been my favorite, but I can appreciate the truth it tried to tell.

Survival comes before the luxury or choice. Protect your children always!

[Rosa]

3.5 meh

[Dee Cherry]

This story, Snow White, by Anna J. took a look into the disturbing life of Journey- a young girl who was growing up in a totally dysfunctional household. In addition to going to school, Journey was faced with the task of "caring" for her physically ill bedridden mother as well as her demented minded uncle, Vince. There were times I wondered how Journey was even able to concentrate on school. There were a couple of positive people in Journey's life. It enlightened me to see Khalid, her classmate she had a crush on, enter into her life. Khalid was able to offer Journey a bit of happiness in her otherwise depressing life. Overall, to me this was a touching story that gave insight on some of the effects of the drug know as "snow white " from people who used it, dealt it & had to deal with it.

[Shanae]

The best part of this novel was the end of this novel. I didn't even read the first chapter of Anna J.'s next book. Talk about horrible. These were the worst characters I've ever read about. Moreover, I hate that the protagonist, Journey Clayton's life is told between the years of 9 & 14. The novel deals with heavy topics & I tried really hard to like this book but I just cannot. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

[Danee' Davis]

It was a good book but it felt like it should be more. Why did the shoot at Journey & Khalid. Did they die? Why wasnt Joey answering his phone? Who called the police on Bunz? So many unanswered questions.

[Shanaya]

i liked the storyline but even with urban fiction and hood romances there are certain things that i cant stand to read and a nine yr old going down on her uncle is one of them sorry not for me

[LaTanya Garry]

Out of all these grown ass characters. Joey was the only one who appeared loyal and had morals although he was in the streets. I wonder while Journey mother was dying of AIDS and in a dopefiend nod. Did she know what Vince was doing to Journey in order to get her mother drug's. Vince supposed to be Journey uncle but he was a trifling, heartless, scandalous, molesting bastard. Journey should've been outside playing with other nine year old little girls. Instead Vince was using that child for his own sick and twisted satisfaction. Joey had no clue how much of a hoe Shanyce was until he had a run-in with some dude mugging him and their son Khalid finally telling him the truth about Vince being in their home and bedroom. Shanyce trifling ass had a feeling Vince was molesting Journey but never said anything. She was too busy hoeing and trying to hide the fact she had fell victim to Snow White. It seems the whole neighborhood has had their way with Shanyce though and Joey was over it. I'm glad Khalid had befriended Journey because she needed somebody to be able to talk to and care about her. Especially once her mother passed away. Khalid was hurt finding out his mother was on drug's but he had a clear understanding of why his father left and told him to stay at Journey. Bunz was a sick and twisted bastard too. There's no way his nasty ass should've been looking at Journey and sexualizing her. After he did what he did to that one young girl and is so quick to pull the trigger. Nothing he did surprised me. The way this ended was heartbreaking. Journey and Khalid was just two teenage kid's. What happened to them shouldn't have happened. I was glad Journey was able to get her revenge on Vince. Hell I was hoping Joey would've killed him though. I hate there isn't a part two because there's a lot of unanswered questions.

[Queen]

So.... that was a lot. First - the audiobook was not the move. I may have liked it better had I actually read it. The voice actor read in the same tone and cadence throughout the entire book. I would frequently forget which one of the dozen POVs we were on. There needs to be a TW at the front of this book. It was wildly descriptive of REPETITIVE acts of molestation and child s*x. I ain't like that. Some parts didn't seem to add anything to the storyline. It didn't feel like a survival story, unless I'm missing a part 2. The ending felt abruptly disappointing.

[CourtneyRenee]

Anna J is known for shedding light on real life scenarios that often times don't get any attention or enough attention due to the fact that little black girls and boys are at the center of the story. She does not sugar coat or exaggerate because there is no need to, regardless of what people think is fiction can also be fact. Somewhere there is a little girl or boy right now struggling through life due to a parent or family deep in the drug game, selling or being sold to.

Not an easy read by any means but an eye opening one that will stick with you for awhile.

[Danielle Bigsby]

I would give this book 3.5 stars. At times it came across as repetitive and after a while. the errors couldn't be ignored. However, the story had its highs and lows. I loved Journey's character and I hate that she never seemed to be able to win. I hated both Vince and Bunz. They were both selfish, arrogant, and downright evil! I loved Khalid but felt like the odds were never in his favor either. Overall, the story held my attention but I'm hoping there's a part 2 as it ended rather abruptly.

[Jennae Jones]

Awful ending

This book was good. I couldn't put it down. But I didn't care for the ending. It really needs a pt2. What's going to happen with Bunzs and will he find out who set him up? How will Bunzs friends deal with him in jail Will? Will Joey get the guys who shot his son? Will Toya make it? And how will Joey's girl feel about her son being shot and will him and Journey survive?

[Katrice]

A Heavy Read

Prepare yourself before reading this one. It’s a heavy, emotional story. Again, the story is fiction but the situations are very real. These are stories we hear from family, friends and alike. This book is about drugs and the devastation that it causes all through the community. Everyone is touched by it in some way. Anna really hit crucial points with the subject and how it formed/changed the characters.

It’s a tough read but a really good one.

[Ieshia Shephard]

Snow White

The streets will chew you up and spit you out! You gotta know how to play the game or be played. It’s all about survival of the fittest. This is literally the life of Journey!
You won’t be ready for what’s to happen and then BOOM 💥 there it goes!! What you will see is Anna J bringing life to a fictional story about some real life iish!!
There’s ONE common denominator: ❄️ SNOW WHITE❄️ IYKYK. that’s all ima say and you can do with that what you please.

[Ebony Essence]

Listened via hoopla.

Let me tell me yall i went right to Anna J dms to ask her why she had beat me down to the ground with this story. From the beginning she turned me every way but loose on this story. The one thing i appreciate about Anna J is she keeps it honest. There is no shying away from reality no matter that it’s “fiction”. Right at this moment there is a Journey and Khalid going through more than any baby should. They won’t be the last to either.

I recommend but just be ready. If you can’t handle it then yes dnf the book. However, don’t be rude and leave a bs star rating or review.

[Chulia Da Baddest]

I Read This Book In Less Than A Day & My Mouth Was Dropped The Entire Time. My Heart Broke For Journey!!! She Was Enduring Things So Early In Life That People Wouldn’t Want Within Their Lifetime. I Love A Great Urban Book That Shows You How To Be Quick On Your Feet In The Streets Because It’s About Survival. The Ending Did EXACTLY What It Was Supposed To Do. Listen To Those Trigger Warnings Because This Book Is NOT FOR THE WEAK!!!

[ToniReads_1]

Survival

Wow what a great read. An absolute page turner. A story of survival from such a young person. Journey went through so much between the age of 9 to 14 that most adults never encounter in their life.
There has to be a sequel. I feel like I need to read on to find put Journey's fate.

[Danielle Vaughan]

This was a good read. I wished the narrator change her tone with the characters. Journey had a hard life. Her uncle Vince got what he deserved. Lord the ending of d this story for Journey and Khalid was hard to listen to. Those babies needed a break. Is it a part 2. I would like to know what happened.

[Perfectly Imperfect]

From the first couple pages, the book got deep. The protagonist, Journey Clayton, reminded me of myself and my poor childhood. I couldn’t put this book down at times, and sometimes I had to put the book down because it was too much to take in. The end is most definitely sad. Journey didn’t have too many cards to pick from and the adults in her life failed her.

[Shadavaine Leonard]

This book was so good this was my first time reading a book by this author and she didn’t disappoint I will be reading more book from her. So this is about a girl name journey and the missed up life she had she couldn’t catch a break until she met Khalid that day in school I’m glad the got together. I hated her uncle nasty self I’m glad she got his behind .

[Page Turner]

This was a different type of street story for sure. It had it's ups and downs, but over all, I enjoyed it.

[Sonya Davis]

Starts slow but becomes a page turner. However the ending is abrupt and leaves so many unanswered questions. Longing fir a sequel!