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Street Love: A YA Novel in Verse Retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in Harlem
This groundbreaking novel in verse from Walter Dean Myers—two-time Newbery Honor winner and five-time Coretta Scott King Award winner—is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story set in Harlem. Share this one with readers taken with books by Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone, and Elizabeth Acevedo.
Whether read at home or in the classroom, and alongside the original inspiration or on its own. Street Love is sure to spark opinions and conversations.
"This verse novel, in which entire poems dazzle readers with rhyme and rhythm and voice, finds Damien, a straight-A student, headed for Brown University. But he falls in love with Junice, a girl whose mother has just been incarcerated for selling drugs, and his direction could change. Readers enjoy multiple perspectives on this romance and the decision Damien makes." (Kirkus starred review)
"Hip-hop fans, readers of poetry, and hopeless romantics will respond to the emotional vibrancy of this powerful work." (VOYA)
Your first love is totally wrong for you.Do you follow your heart?Or do you run away?
Walter Dean Myers was a New York Times bestselling author, Printz Award winner, five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, two-time Newbery Honor recipient, and the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Maria Russo, writing in the New York Times, called Myers "one of the greats and a champion of diversity in children’s books well before the cause got mainstream attention."
Whether read at home or in the classroom, and alongside the original inspiration or on its own. Street Love is sure to spark opinions and conversations.
"This verse novel, in which entire poems dazzle readers with rhyme and rhythm and voice, finds Damien, a straight-A student, headed for Brown University. But he falls in love with Junice, a girl whose mother has just been incarcerated for selling drugs, and his direction could change. Readers enjoy multiple perspectives on this romance and the decision Damien makes." (Kirkus starred review)
"Hip-hop fans, readers of poetry, and hopeless romantics will respond to the emotional vibrancy of this powerful work." (VOYA)
Your first love is totally wrong for you.Do you follow your heart?Or do you run away?
Walter Dean Myers was a New York Times bestselling author, Printz Award winner, five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, two-time Newbery Honor recipient, and the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Maria Russo, writing in the New York Times, called Myers "one of the greats and a champion of diversity in children’s books well before the cause got mainstream attention."
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2006
84 people are currently reading
1759 people want to read
About the author
Walter Dean Myers
224 books1,195 followerspseudonyms:
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.
Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.
In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.
Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.
In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
December 20, 2016
Actual Rating: 3.5*
I really liked this one. it is written in verse and is a good retelling of R&J. I really felt for both characters but I wanted a bit more chemistry between them -- or at least interactions -- to really feel the love. Especially since the ending was very forward compared to the brief conversations we saw between them. There were some great parallels between the original and this book but I think I would have liked to spend more time with Damien and Junice to be able to fully love this one.
I really liked this one. it is written in verse and is a good retelling of R&J. I really felt for both characters but I wanted a bit more chemistry between them -- or at least interactions -- to really feel the love. Especially since the ending was very forward compared to the brief conversations we saw between them. There were some great parallels between the original and this book but I think I would have liked to spend more time with Damien and Junice to be able to fully love this one.
May 13, 2025
chatgpt'd my way through this
March 5, 2012
Street Love is the story of star-crossed lovers Junice and Damien, two African American teens growing up in Harlem. Damien comes from a two-parent household. His family has worked hard to become part of the "Who's Who" list and has a plan for Damien, who is attending Brown University next year. He has a girlfriend, Roxanne, and a best friend, Kevin, who assists him when he gets into confrontations with Sledge and Chico, two rivals from the other side of the street. Junice comes from a very different life. The book starts with her mother being sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug trafficking. Junice and her sister Melissa live with their grandmother, Miss Ruby, who is not quite mentally sound and has a history that includes two felonies. Damien and Junice have a chance encounter in the principal's office and Damien is immediately intrigued by Junice, though he can't explain why. Junice is confused why someone like him would want anything to do with someone like her, but soon they fall in love. Things get complicated when Damien gets in a fight with Sledge, and Child Welfare Services decide to ship Junice and Melissa off to Memphis because Miss Ruby isn't fit to take care of them.
Street Love is a novel in verse, which was hard to get used to at first, but then became more natural. Despite its urban setting, the novel contains little dialect or unfamiliar expressions/vocabulary. What makes the book more of a challenge to read is Myers' use of verse. Some lines are enjambed and must be read until punctuation is reached. Other times there is no punctuation, so the reader must determine if a line is enjambed, or if a thought stops and there just isn't any punctuation to show it. The book also switches perspectives between "chapters," and, sometimes within chapters, forcing the reader to infer who is talking. This use of third person omniscient point of view creates more multidimensional characters, although some characters are heard from more often than others and are thus better characterized and subsequently understood. By the end of the novel, the reader has a very good understanding of Junice and Damien, despite the fact that because they speak in verse, they say very little and are described even less than they would in a typical prose novel.
This book would be a good addition to a unit on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet due to its content. Street Love shows what star-crossed lovers might look like if they were African Americans from Harlem. If read alongside the original play, the book Snitch (which tells the R&J story in a gang atmosphere), and film interpretations such as West Side Story, Street Love could become a valuable part of the curriculum. Although it can stand alone, its story is much more meaningful when compared to the original Romeo and Juliet story.
Because of some sexual comments/innuendos and the sometimes difficult verse, this book is best suited for grades 9 and up.
Street Love is a novel in verse, which was hard to get used to at first, but then became more natural. Despite its urban setting, the novel contains little dialect or unfamiliar expressions/vocabulary. What makes the book more of a challenge to read is Myers' use of verse. Some lines are enjambed and must be read until punctuation is reached. Other times there is no punctuation, so the reader must determine if a line is enjambed, or if a thought stops and there just isn't any punctuation to show it. The book also switches perspectives between "chapters," and, sometimes within chapters, forcing the reader to infer who is talking. This use of third person omniscient point of view creates more multidimensional characters, although some characters are heard from more often than others and are thus better characterized and subsequently understood. By the end of the novel, the reader has a very good understanding of Junice and Damien, despite the fact that because they speak in verse, they say very little and are described even less than they would in a typical prose novel.
This book would be a good addition to a unit on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet due to its content. Street Love shows what star-crossed lovers might look like if they were African Americans from Harlem. If read alongside the original play, the book Snitch (which tells the R&J story in a gang atmosphere), and film interpretations such as West Side Story, Street Love could become a valuable part of the curriculum. Although it can stand alone, its story is much more meaningful when compared to the original Romeo and Juliet story.
Because of some sexual comments/innuendos and the sometimes difficult verse, this book is best suited for grades 9 and up.
November 4, 2018
A very good poem that just drew me in and captured me. This is the story of a teenage girl from the streets of Harlem whose mom goes to jail for drug dealing and her boyfriend, a young middle class guy with a promising future.
They seem star-crossed, but I had to read to the end to see what happens to them. Were they truly doomed?
I'd have too many spoilers to discuss parts I really liked. I did like it when she tells her guy she'd not some fantasy princess he dreamed up in his head; she's a real girl with a real past. (And that's terribly paraphrased.)
They seem star-crossed, but I had to read to the end to see what happens to them. Were they truly doomed?
I'd have too many spoilers to discuss parts I really liked. I did like it when she tells her guy she'd not some fantasy princess he dreamed up in his head; she's a real girl with a real past. (And that's terribly paraphrased.)
November 7, 2009
"If anyone could look into my head
See or feel the dread that has captured
Me or see within this sad, unhappy brain
They would only turn away
Turn away."
—Junice, Street Love, P. 15
"On the streets of the city
They have taken my Who-I-Am
As well as my What-I-Was
And now I am desperate for them both
Again"
—Leslie Ambers, Street Love, P. 25
It's a little bit difficult for me to totally wrap my mind around this unusual book. The verse styling of Walter Dean Myers was different from what I expected, frequently straying from the path that I anticipated and forging its own unique way ahead.
Damian and Junice don't come together in love in a way that would normally be seen in a Romeo-and-Juliet-type book. if I hadn't known that this book was about their threatened yet blossoming love, in fact, then I wouldn't have totally grasped it until close to the end.
Above all else, the lyrical, subtle rhyming of Walter Dean Myers is truly beautiful at times. These verses of shifting perspectives flow forth as something enigmatic and dark, yet with an unmistakable beauty inside that the reader of the book will be able to personally treasure for a long time.
Street Love is a different experience, for sure, different even from most other material that has come from the prolific pen of Walter Dean Myers. I am definitely glad to have read it, though, and to have been able to personally benefit once again from the writing of the insightful Walter Dean Myers. I would give a solid two and a half stars to this book.
"Can you become
The hope I need? Can you help me be
More than it is written in my future
Or past? Is there another me to find?"
—Junice, Street Love, P. 89
"Wherever your heart rests
There I will live and be blessed
I've tried to line up the things I
Needed to say but now my feelings just
Tumble from me. I am half foolish,
Half drunk with wanting you
With wanting to take your hand
And leap into the darkness of whatever
Life will bring. Love makes me
Brave and without love I'm made
Nothing."
—Damien, Street Love, P. 130
See or feel the dread that has captured
Me or see within this sad, unhappy brain
They would only turn away
Turn away."
—Junice, Street Love, P. 15
"On the streets of the city
They have taken my Who-I-Am
As well as my What-I-Was
And now I am desperate for them both
Again"
—Leslie Ambers, Street Love, P. 25
It's a little bit difficult for me to totally wrap my mind around this unusual book. The verse styling of Walter Dean Myers was different from what I expected, frequently straying from the path that I anticipated and forging its own unique way ahead.
Damian and Junice don't come together in love in a way that would normally be seen in a Romeo-and-Juliet-type book. if I hadn't known that this book was about their threatened yet blossoming love, in fact, then I wouldn't have totally grasped it until close to the end.
Above all else, the lyrical, subtle rhyming of Walter Dean Myers is truly beautiful at times. These verses of shifting perspectives flow forth as something enigmatic and dark, yet with an unmistakable beauty inside that the reader of the book will be able to personally treasure for a long time.
Street Love is a different experience, for sure, different even from most other material that has come from the prolific pen of Walter Dean Myers. I am definitely glad to have read it, though, and to have been able to personally benefit once again from the writing of the insightful Walter Dean Myers. I would give a solid two and a half stars to this book.
"Can you become
The hope I need? Can you help me be
More than it is written in my future
Or past? Is there another me to find?"
—Junice, Street Love, P. 89
"Wherever your heart rests
There I will live and be blessed
I've tried to line up the things I
Needed to say but now my feelings just
Tumble from me. I am half foolish,
Half drunk with wanting you
With wanting to take your hand
And leap into the darkness of whatever
Life will bring. Love makes me
Brave and without love I'm made
Nothing."
—Damien, Street Love, P. 130
July 26, 2023
this book was written in verse but not so poetic that the plot was lost in translation. the love between these two characters was so wholesome yet mature that you would think they were adults. I think this was so well written + will definitely be reading more by Walter Dean Myers.
April 6, 2015
In the beginning of the book it displays the dislike between Sledge and Damien. Damien is someone who came above the street life and works hard in school. He was accepted into Brown University. On the other hand Sledge is caught up in the streets and not living his life towards the right direction. Also we meet Junice Amber and how her life is portrayed in the story. Junice is the daughter of Leslie Amber. Leslie Amber is in Bedford Hills Prison doing a 25 year sentence for drug possession. Junice has a sister named Melissa who is just be carried along with all of this. Ruby Amber is the mother of Leslie Amber who provides care for both of Junice and Melissa. She is starting to lose her memory and the family welfare burea decided to step in saying that they might have to remove Junice and Melissa from her grandmother. Damien and Junice meet in the school office one day and he tells her to call him. She starts to think why me he would never be interested into someone like me. Junice and Damien came from two completely different sides of the track.
What I liked about the book is it displayed how two completely different people can attract. Damien could have chose Roxanne someone he resembled him strongly or take a chance to explore what the world has in store for him by giving Junice the time of day. Another thing that I liked about the book is how at the end of story he chased after her and went to Memphis, Tennessee. I think this shows how someone should chase their dreams or in this story their one true love. Something I disliked about the story is how Roxanne and Damien's mom Ernestine talked down about Junice and didn't know nothin about her. People today in this generation always tend to judge a book by its cover. There was nothing wrong with Junice she just had a upbringing. Yes I would recommend this book to me peers. Street Love showed no matter who you are and where you come from there is always a way out. Also that if there is something blocking you firm your true happiness don't be afraid to over come what is blocking you. This is one I wouldn't recommend Street Love to my peers.
What I liked about the book is it displayed how two completely different people can attract. Damien could have chose Roxanne someone he resembled him strongly or take a chance to explore what the world has in store for him by giving Junice the time of day. Another thing that I liked about the book is how at the end of story he chased after her and went to Memphis, Tennessee. I think this shows how someone should chase their dreams or in this story their one true love. Something I disliked about the story is how Roxanne and Damien's mom Ernestine talked down about Junice and didn't know nothin about her. People today in this generation always tend to judge a book by its cover. There was nothing wrong with Junice she just had a upbringing. Yes I would recommend this book to me peers. Street Love showed no matter who you are and where you come from there is always a way out. Also that if there is something blocking you firm your true happiness don't be afraid to over come what is blocking you. This is one I wouldn't recommend Street Love to my peers.
February 25, 2018
Reads like spoken word poetry.
Walter Dean Myers is love.
Walter Dean Myers is love.
March 11, 2024
“Street Love” by Walter Dean Myers is a book that brings you into the lives of two loving teenagers, Damien and Junice. Damien is a graffiti artist and Junice is a Poet. This story is interesting because it shows how love can bring people with two completely different backgrounds together. One thing I really liked is how the book explores themes like friendship and love all while facing the challenges of growing up in an urban environment. The author does a really good job making the main characters relatable to the reader by portraying the struggles of how love can break certain social barriers. However, the plot felt almost predictable at times and felt like some moments were dragged on for too long. I also found the characters to be really likable and interesting, but also felt as if they were not fully developed and explained, leading the reader to ask questions about certain moments. Despite all this, the book still has its ups. It's an easy read with the message of accepting others, while also being straightforward making it perfect for all types of readers. In conclusion, “Street Love” is a decent read for anyone with the interest in modern stories about young love and overcoming obstacles. This isnt probably the best book i've ever read, but it for sure has its moments where the reader can picture and be at the edge of their seat.
January 19, 2022
WOW!! It's a little bit demanding for me to exhaustively dress my mind around this uncommon book. The verse styling of Walter Dean Myers was different from what I expected, frequently meandering from the path that I expected and developing its own special way ahead.
For me, I love Romeo and Juliet makeovers, especially if it has African American style in them.
For me, I love Romeo and Juliet makeovers, especially if it has African American style in them.
August 20, 2022
i don’t know how to feel. it felt like i was missing pieces and the ending felt a little rushed but other than that i liked it. the story overall was great, just a few plot holes and a little confusing at times for me personally.
August 18, 2025
Formatted like YA prose poetry. Cringey rap that comes off too old-school. Ex.: “pouting gf in latteville.” The last name Battle is too on the nose like most of its style. Junice also sounds like a granny name. Seems like the kind of book that would say wiggity wiggity whack.
August 10, 2020
I don’t see every story about teens from different neighborhoods as Romeo and Juliet retellings... it seems there are more important aspects of R&J than that. Don’t you think?
December 21, 2015
The main characters in the novel “Street Love” were two teenagers named Junice and Daimen was a static character because he stayed the same throughout the novel he remained with the same personality and he acted the same towards Junie throughout the book. Daimen was a boy who grew in the streets but did not let the streets stop him from success. Daimen got accepted to brown university and had a good head on his shoulders. Daimen mother had her mind set on one girl she wanted Daimen to dated but had another person in mind someone his parents would not approve but that did not stop Daimen.Junice was a dynamic character because she changed towards the end of the novel. She had a different mind set and wanted to become a better person even though she was not a bad person her life was just not as stable as Daimen.
This novel is taken place in Harlem. I feel that the author placed this setting in the novel because it fits the living of the characters in the novel. For example Junice lives a hard life and lives in a not so safe neighborhood and it is rough looking. When people think of harlem they think of a torn down city. Another example is that Daimen also lives in a bad neighborhood but he manage to not let the streets and where he live bring him down. He made it out of the streets he did not let the streets make him. Daimen and Junice both know how it feels to live during hard times and not being in a nice neighborhood and that is why the setting fits the novel so well.
In this novel characterization was very significant. The two main characters who would fall under characterization were Junice and Daimen to young lovers who did not care what others thought of their love for each other. Daimen is a young boy who made it out of the streets. Junice is a troubled teen who is facing hard times and just wanting to be loved. Daimen is a static character because he stay the same throughout the novel he still remained as the hard working boy staying out of trouble and getting good grades. Junice is a dynamic character because she changed towards the end of the novel she tries to change her life around and make the best of it for herself and even for Daimen.
The whole theme of this novel is love and life. Two young teens living in a rough neighborhood trying to get away from it and just be teeneragers and live life. Daimen and Junice both live two different but that did not stop them from loving each other. Daimen felt Junice was just as good as any other girl just because she lives a rough life does not mean she is a bad person. Daimen saw the good in Junice while everyone saw a girl who is lost and no good. Junice knew that Daimen really cared about her and that is why Junice really loved Daimen. Junice had no love from her mother and that is all she wanted is to be loved. Both teens still found a way to leave each other no matter what was in their way they did not let that stop them. I learned from this novel is to love a person for who they are and you are happy then that all that matters who cares what others think.
I would rate this novel a 5 it is a very amazing novel and a person will learn a lot from it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves drama and romance. If you like other romance novels like “Who am I without him” by Sharon G Flake because it is always a drama and romance novel.
This novel is taken place in Harlem. I feel that the author placed this setting in the novel because it fits the living of the characters in the novel. For example Junice lives a hard life and lives in a not so safe neighborhood and it is rough looking. When people think of harlem they think of a torn down city. Another example is that Daimen also lives in a bad neighborhood but he manage to not let the streets and where he live bring him down. He made it out of the streets he did not let the streets make him. Daimen and Junice both know how it feels to live during hard times and not being in a nice neighborhood and that is why the setting fits the novel so well.
In this novel characterization was very significant. The two main characters who would fall under characterization were Junice and Daimen to young lovers who did not care what others thought of their love for each other. Daimen is a young boy who made it out of the streets. Junice is a troubled teen who is facing hard times and just wanting to be loved. Daimen is a static character because he stay the same throughout the novel he still remained as the hard working boy staying out of trouble and getting good grades. Junice is a dynamic character because she changed towards the end of the novel she tries to change her life around and make the best of it for herself and even for Daimen.
The whole theme of this novel is love and life. Two young teens living in a rough neighborhood trying to get away from it and just be teeneragers and live life. Daimen and Junice both live two different but that did not stop them from loving each other. Daimen felt Junice was just as good as any other girl just because she lives a rough life does not mean she is a bad person. Daimen saw the good in Junice while everyone saw a girl who is lost and no good. Junice knew that Daimen really cared about her and that is why Junice really loved Daimen. Junice had no love from her mother and that is all she wanted is to be loved. Both teens still found a way to leave each other no matter what was in their way they did not let that stop them. I learned from this novel is to love a person for who they are and you are happy then that all that matters who cares what others think.
I would rate this novel a 5 it is a very amazing novel and a person will learn a lot from it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves drama and romance. If you like other romance novels like “Who am I without him” by Sharon G Flake because it is always a drama and romance novel.
July 10, 2010
Snapshot:
OK. So I read Aaron's review first, and now I feel stymied, because as I was reading I thought I should be thinking about how similar or dissimilar to Romeo and Juliet it was, whether the meter and rhyme scheme fit (in the chapters where that's the voice), and what the style was in the other chapters. Since Aaron has done that work for me, I will simply add that there is some rap conversation as well, during the conversations in which the protagonist, Damien, spars with his "street" counterpart, Sledge. What I liked about this book was its ruminations on what "street" means, and the fact that it is very difficult for a young black man in Harlem, no matter how smart, and no matter how coddled and cajoled into a path of success by all around him, to reject all that "street" can mean, passion included. At the same time, through the character of Junice, Damien's love (/lust/infatuation?) interest, it attempts, I believe, to de-romanticize "street." Junice's life is just hard, and she has no illusions about that. At the same time, she is WISE, and so there's a paradox here: While undercutting the romanticization of "street," she reinforces another of our stereotypes of it. But enough. Suffice it to say that I am very impressed by Walter Dean Myers' incredible productivity and range.
Hook:
Harlem with a splash of Shakespeare.
Challenges:
The book was hard to get into, even for a reader like me. In my mind, the language -- for all its dynamic experimentation with form -- will certainly get in the way of many young readers' enjoying the text. Although its characters and conflicts have a reality to them, the text is not realism, and this might pose problems for less adventurous readers. Voice shifts with few cues would also be a challenge. I would not recommend it to ELLs or other students who struggle in reading.
Student in mind:
A romantic, a reader. A Shaina, who writes poetry on her own and could use some coaching in form.
Conference notes:
I'd consider this as a whole class text in a standard ELA class, particularly as a companion to Romeo and Juliet. If read independently, my questions would target the student's 1)basic comprehension, given the sometimes difficult language and the formal and voice shifts from chapter to chapter, and 2) the relationship of the language in a given chapter to what is being narrated.
Level:
Hard to rate. I think it's as much a question of inclination to read something that one will have to do a bit of work to understand as it is of vocabulary or poetic form. That is to say, to enjoy the book, one must think (for example, about connections between the different speakers in different chapters), and one must be ready to let different style of language with which one may or may not be familiar wash over one. So definitely high school, for independent reading for strong readers, as a class text for more reluctant ones. Not ELLs.
OK. So I read Aaron's review first, and now I feel stymied, because as I was reading I thought I should be thinking about how similar or dissimilar to Romeo and Juliet it was, whether the meter and rhyme scheme fit (in the chapters where that's the voice), and what the style was in the other chapters. Since Aaron has done that work for me, I will simply add that there is some rap conversation as well, during the conversations in which the protagonist, Damien, spars with his "street" counterpart, Sledge. What I liked about this book was its ruminations on what "street" means, and the fact that it is very difficult for a young black man in Harlem, no matter how smart, and no matter how coddled and cajoled into a path of success by all around him, to reject all that "street" can mean, passion included. At the same time, through the character of Junice, Damien's love (/lust/infatuation?) interest, it attempts, I believe, to de-romanticize "street." Junice's life is just hard, and she has no illusions about that. At the same time, she is WISE, and so there's a paradox here: While undercutting the romanticization of "street," she reinforces another of our stereotypes of it. But enough. Suffice it to say that I am very impressed by Walter Dean Myers' incredible productivity and range.
Hook:
Harlem with a splash of Shakespeare.
Challenges:
The book was hard to get into, even for a reader like me. In my mind, the language -- for all its dynamic experimentation with form -- will certainly get in the way of many young readers' enjoying the text. Although its characters and conflicts have a reality to them, the text is not realism, and this might pose problems for less adventurous readers. Voice shifts with few cues would also be a challenge. I would not recommend it to ELLs or other students who struggle in reading.
Student in mind:
A romantic, a reader. A Shaina, who writes poetry on her own and could use some coaching in form.
Conference notes:
I'd consider this as a whole class text in a standard ELA class, particularly as a companion to Romeo and Juliet. If read independently, my questions would target the student's 1)basic comprehension, given the sometimes difficult language and the formal and voice shifts from chapter to chapter, and 2) the relationship of the language in a given chapter to what is being narrated.
Level:
Hard to rate. I think it's as much a question of inclination to read something that one will have to do a bit of work to understand as it is of vocabulary or poetic form. That is to say, to enjoy the book, one must think (for example, about connections between the different speakers in different chapters), and one must be ready to let different style of language with which one may or may not be familiar wash over one. So definitely high school, for independent reading for strong readers, as a class text for more reluctant ones. Not ELLs.
December 29, 2009
Street Love, by Walter Dean Myers is a novel about young love between two young adults in the streets. The novel itself teaches others to help others notice how love hits people. Love is so strong that it may seem people are loosing their head, which turns into fights and arguments within friends and family. In this novel we read about Damien who meet Junice at school one day. Damien had already had a 'friend' his mom wanted him to be with, but ever since Damien met Junice he noticed that Junice was the one for him. He invites her to a dance, both are very shy with each other but they both know of the love that is growing between them even though not much action is learned about to us.
This novel brings up the issues of parent over controlling and the mistakes people still make although in an older age. As the novel develops, the characters' faces become more clearer. For example over time we get to notice who people really are and they aren't introduced immediately in the entrance of the story. Junice and her family are black, and Junice's mom was just placed in jail because she was a drug dealer. Damien's parents especially mom wanted him to be with people that are nice and noble. He decides to change that but with this change many problems and incidents occur because of his decision.
This novel brings up the issues of parent over controlling and the mistakes people still make although in an older age. As the novel develops, the characters' faces become more clearer. For example over time we get to notice who people really are and they aren't introduced immediately in the entrance of the story. Junice and her family are black, and Junice's mom was just placed in jail because she was a drug dealer. Damien's parents especially mom wanted him to be with people that are nice and noble. He decides to change that but with this change many problems and incidents occur because of his decision.
May 7, 2023
Street Love is Black urban retelling of Romeo and Juliet that follows Junice and Damien. Junice and Damien are from two different sides of town and have to deal with starkly different circumstances. Damien's parents only expect him to be a teen, thrive, and take advantage of the sacrifices they made for him. On the otherhand, Junice has the world on her shoulders. Junice's mother was sentenced to a 25 year sentence and Junice is determined to care for her younger sister Melissa. Facing the possibility of going into the foster care system, Junice is steadfast on caring for her sister. Because of her circumstances, Junice questions Damien's desire to get to know her and the feelings she starts to feel for him. Damien is determined to be with Junice no matter the questions and disapproval from his parents.
Street Love succinctly demonstrates two young lovers conviction to define themselves and their love for each other.
Street Love succinctly demonstrates two young lovers conviction to define themselves and their love for each other.
March 1, 2018
This was my first experience reading a story in verse that was not from antiquity. Once I got into the rhythm of the poetry, I really enjoyed this story. It was kind of like reading Shakespeare, once you give into it, the words just wash over you. I loved the way each "chapter" was a poem from a different person's perspective and when they all get put together they tell a story. The story was about some people with difficult lives, but being written about in such beautiful words. I was sad when it ended, I wanted to know what came next for the characters, but I think that is one of the things with poetry, it is always a bit open ended. I can imagine so many students who would benefit from a book like this, and so many great teachers who could do some amazing things teaching it.
June 23, 2011
Walter Dean Myers is a very good writer, and he can get right to the emotional heart of his characters. But in the end, despite being well written, it was just too urban for my tastes. That, and there was an insta-love plot, which I just can't ever get into. When two characters fall in love, I want there to be a why, and I want it to be more in depth than it was here.
March 16, 2010
I've always said I don't like novels in verse, but I ended up really enjoying this one. His ear for language is brilliant.
February 21, 2020
“Damien appears sweet, as boys go, and offers An untested heart. He needs a girl Who thinks of love as June pleasant days Or shopping. But I am not that girl. I am Street My needs are fierce. I am hungry And my teeth are sharp. Where will he Find the strength to hold me?” (Pg. 39)
Took it back with a 2006 novel from the illustrious Walter Dean Myers--an author I truly respect but have yet to find my “favorite” work by him..So far I would have to say Monster but eh his catalog is so vast I have to read more..his contribution to African American Young Adult literature is too great…
And this one was described as an urban retelling of star-crossed lovers..very Romeo and Juliet/most teen romances..Girl and boy who fall in love despite responsibilities, and any regard to their home and family lives silly or not LOL--only twist is if they come out together or not..So I decided to give this one a try and then fought discouragement as it's not only in verse but also told in alternating voice..Two of my most challenging reading obstacles in one book..touche Myers LOL way to get me out my comfort zone.....but I wanted to see if it was worthy of the shelves (for some reason this one isn’t cataloged, must have gotten it from a giveaway somewhere LOL) and so I push on….
You meet our “Hero” Damian and see how he maneuvers bullies and tries to stay on the straight path with his family and his girlfriend Roxanne ….and then you meet the “Beauty” Junice whose mom Leslie has just been sentenced to 25 years in prison for drugs and the grandmother Ruby her and her sister Melissa must now live with...I can’t lie there are few words but each one poignantly told this story so well…
(Junice) “Twenty-five years to life How could they know she had never possessed Anything worth the while Had never distributed anything except pieces of herself. (Pg. 13)
(Leslie) “On the streets of the city They have taken my Who-Am-I As well as my What-I-Was And now I am desperate for them both Again. (Pg. 25)
Our Hero and Beauty meet outside of the principal’s office and it couldn’t be for more different reasons--Damien is being congratulated for acceptance to Brown University and Junice being reprimanded for absences and tardies however our duo go out and the story begins from there…
(Junice) “What can Damien want of me? When he reaches for my hands And finds them wringing in hopelessness He will shrink away. (Pg. 38)
In short page length semi-rhyming couplets deep with meaning and a glimpse in the world of these two teens--will they make it together despite all Junice’s problems and Damien’s hating and controlling family with their high expectations?....Won’t spoil this quick read but I didn’t hate it, not THE book from him for me but it was different and interesting..
Took it back with a 2006 novel from the illustrious Walter Dean Myers--an author I truly respect but have yet to find my “favorite” work by him..So far I would have to say Monster but eh his catalog is so vast I have to read more..his contribution to African American Young Adult literature is too great…
And this one was described as an urban retelling of star-crossed lovers..very Romeo and Juliet/most teen romances..Girl and boy who fall in love despite responsibilities, and any regard to their home and family lives silly or not LOL--only twist is if they come out together or not..So I decided to give this one a try and then fought discouragement as it's not only in verse but also told in alternating voice..Two of my most challenging reading obstacles in one book..touche Myers LOL way to get me out my comfort zone.....but I wanted to see if it was worthy of the shelves (for some reason this one isn’t cataloged, must have gotten it from a giveaway somewhere LOL) and so I push on….
You meet our “Hero” Damian and see how he maneuvers bullies and tries to stay on the straight path with his family and his girlfriend Roxanne ….and then you meet the “Beauty” Junice whose mom Leslie has just been sentenced to 25 years in prison for drugs and the grandmother Ruby her and her sister Melissa must now live with...I can’t lie there are few words but each one poignantly told this story so well…
(Junice) “Twenty-five years to life How could they know she had never possessed Anything worth the while Had never distributed anything except pieces of herself. (Pg. 13)
(Leslie) “On the streets of the city They have taken my Who-Am-I As well as my What-I-Was And now I am desperate for them both Again. (Pg. 25)
Our Hero and Beauty meet outside of the principal’s office and it couldn’t be for more different reasons--Damien is being congratulated for acceptance to Brown University and Junice being reprimanded for absences and tardies however our duo go out and the story begins from there…
(Junice) “What can Damien want of me? When he reaches for my hands And finds them wringing in hopelessness He will shrink away. (Pg. 38)
In short page length semi-rhyming couplets deep with meaning and a glimpse in the world of these two teens--will they make it together despite all Junice’s problems and Damien’s hating and controlling family with their high expectations?....Won’t spoil this quick read but I didn’t hate it, not THE book from him for me but it was different and interesting..
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February 9, 2017Danny Chavarria
January 12, 2017
Period 5
English 9
Street Love Book Report
This book is basically a book of poems but, the poems are about life on the streets. For example in the first poem it talks about what autumn in Harlem, New York is like. It describes what the writer is looking at and it paints a picture of what it's like in the reader's mind as he or she is reading. In the poem it says “Fume-choked leaves, already yellowed, crack in late September breeze.” As i read that i picture the yellow leaves on trees and the breeze hitting on me as i watched all the fume in the air.
I personally didn't like how they left all of the gangs and drugs out of the poems. If you’re going to talk about the streets that would be the first thing you would talk about. The one thing i liked was how they’re all poems. I love poems which made this book one hundred times better because rap is like poetry just in a different perspective. Another thing i liked was how it painted a picture of the setting in your mind.
I highly encourage other people to read it because it gives you an idea of how life is in the streets and how difficult it would be. I would recommend this to all my friends i can already tell they will be interested in this because they like all the stuff i like or at least most of the stuff. Lastly i would encourage Miss. Mcdannell to read this book its very interesting and i think she’d like it.
January 12, 2017
Period 5
English 9
Street Love Book Report
This book is basically a book of poems but, the poems are about life on the streets. For example in the first poem it talks about what autumn in Harlem, New York is like. It describes what the writer is looking at and it paints a picture of what it's like in the reader's mind as he or she is reading. In the poem it says “Fume-choked leaves, already yellowed, crack in late September breeze.” As i read that i picture the yellow leaves on trees and the breeze hitting on me as i watched all the fume in the air.
I personally didn't like how they left all of the gangs and drugs out of the poems. If you’re going to talk about the streets that would be the first thing you would talk about. The one thing i liked was how they’re all poems. I love poems which made this book one hundred times better because rap is like poetry just in a different perspective. Another thing i liked was how it painted a picture of the setting in your mind.
I highly encourage other people to read it because it gives you an idea of how life is in the streets and how difficult it would be. I would recommend this to all my friends i can already tell they will be interested in this because they like all the stuff i like or at least most of the stuff. Lastly i would encourage Miss. Mcdannell to read this book its very interesting and i think she’d like it.
March 4, 2018
A modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, Street Love follows Damien and Junice, two teens living in Harlem. Damien is the perfect son who has his life laid out in front of him. Junice's life is nowhere near perfect, especially after her mom is arrested and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. Damien and Junice are polar opposites, but they somehow find each other (fate? random coincidence?) and fall in love. Their young love is put to the test when Child Protective Services threatens to complicate Junice's (and her family's) life even further. Will their love last through the insurmountable odds that are stacked against them? Walter Dean Myers creates a compelling and heartbreaking story in verse novel format about first love, family bonds, and self-acceptance.
Although this verse novel is rather short in length, Myers packs a powerful punch in each poem that ultimately leads to the dramatic climax. The style of each poem almost seems to change depending on the narrator (including the city of Harlem, the all-knowing narrator that speaks up a couple of times throughout the story). This verse novel would be an excellent choice for fans of this format and Shakespeare's famous play about star-crossed lovers. As well, reluctant readers may enjoy Myers' novel because of its short "chapters" (or poems) and overall length.
Although this verse novel is rather short in length, Myers packs a powerful punch in each poem that ultimately leads to the dramatic climax. The style of each poem almost seems to change depending on the narrator (including the city of Harlem, the all-knowing narrator that speaks up a couple of times throughout the story). This verse novel would be an excellent choice for fans of this format and Shakespeare's famous play about star-crossed lovers. As well, reluctant readers may enjoy Myers' novel because of its short "chapters" (or poems) and overall length.
January 15, 2017
Street Love is short and emotional and raw. In the afterwards, Myers says that he wrote this story after having interviewed incarcerated teens, and young black teen mothers. He says that the beat of the poems, sometimes in iambic pentameter, and sometimes in a loser measure were patterned after what he heard when he walked the streets of Harlem. Myers is an extremely talented writer - the nuances of Blackness that are present in this story are complicated and I know I don't fully understand them but this was an interesting look into their existence. This is something I think gets swept under the rug in YA literature sometimes. My biggest complaint about this book is that I wish the story were longer. He packed a lot of details into 134 pages - but this story could have easily spanned a 300+ page book. Knowing that Myers was at least in part inspired by Romeo and Juliet helps to explain its shortness - but his story didn't have to be.
September 29, 2020
Street Love is about a boy named Damien who has everything good going for him, a college acceptance, a stable family and a girl who his parents approve of lined up for him. He instead falls for Junice who’s mother is in jail, her grandmother has dementia and her and her sister are trying to not get into the foster care system. It’s a forbidden love similar to Romeo and Juliet.
I enjoyed this book because it changes the perspective of characters. When there is just one character’s thoughts being read, it’s harder to understand the whole story.
I enjoyed this book because it changes the perspective of characters. When there is just one character’s thoughts being read, it’s harder to understand the whole story.
December 29, 2023
Junice's life is terrible, right now. Her mother was just imprisoned for selling drugs, she's taking care of her younger sister, and her grandmother isn't too able to take care of them both. Damien's life, in comparison, is pretty normal. But God, does he like Junice. Maybe even enough to uproot himself and see where life takes the two of them.
Walter Dean Myers is a mighty fine author. This novel in verse is a fast read and you'll want nothing more than for Junice and Damien to find peace, even amid all the discussion of drug selling, imprisonment, DCF, and more.
Walter Dean Myers is a mighty fine author. This novel in verse is a fast read and you'll want nothing more than for Junice and Damien to find peace, even amid all the discussion of drug selling, imprisonment, DCF, and more.
October 25, 2024
In my opinion this novel has a lot of interesting plots, throughout the book we were able to see the different types of perspectives form each of the characters that were involved in the story. It’s nice to be able to see from the perspective of each character to get to understand better the story as to what each character is processing at the moment. We can see that the character Junice struggles with very difficult family problems such as her mom being in jail, making her and her sister have to have a foster family. Although she has a difficult time she still ends up falling for Damien. The character Damien is more of a relaxed character compared to Junice, he didn’t really think he would end up falling for Junice either but somehow seeing her made him want to get to know her more and more. Damien was determined to be with Junice at wherever cost although his mom opposed due to her not wanting him to end up in the wrong pathway for his life. At the end Junice has to leave and Damien leaves to be with her not caring what his mother thinks, Junice is a very happy that he decide to be with her no matter the cause and even better her life storie. I feel like the author was hoping that the reader could get that feeling of loving someone no matter their back story, that feeling of what young love is like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2018
p.38 Once he smells the sulfur pouring/ From my life he will run.
p.64 Sometimes words/ Danced instead of talked
p.105 Sliding past the emotional pains they/ Can't express to the physical pain they/ Can
I quick, solid story told through a poetic form. Characterization is relayed through shifting perspectives in the various chapters. Generally, a new chapter equals a new character. The number of characters continue to spiral out into the strange social webs we all have.
p.64 Sometimes words/ Danced instead of talked
p.105 Sliding past the emotional pains they/ Can't express to the physical pain they/ Can
I quick, solid story told through a poetic form. Characterization is relayed through shifting perspectives in the various chapters. Generally, a new chapter equals a new character. The number of characters continue to spiral out into the strange social webs we all have.
May 26, 2018
First of all this book is written in verse and I have difficulty reading in verse usually, but this was easy to understand. This is basically a cute little love story about these two characters names Junice and Damien. I just wish that Damien didn’t ask to go for coffee as soon as he met her. That kinda just ruined the vibe of the book. Also, I feel like it was a little fast paced. It was overall a good book though!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2020
It was a book in verse, which I really do love reading these. It goes by quickly if you are looking for a quick read. I read this for my Romeo and Juliet theme. It is a love story about Damien and Junice falling in love, there love is very unpredicted from their friends and family. I would recommend it to all people. If you want a love story set in a busy city, a book in verse, this is the book for you.
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