Harlem Hustle

by Janet McDonald

Hustle's personal Harlem was sorely in need of a renaissance. For him, it was the place where a scared kid named Eric Samson had been ditched by druggy parents and dismissed by frustrated teachers. Abandoned to the streets to raise himself, Eric Samson knows life won't be easy, beginning with the choices he must make. The fast cash of the streets still tempts him, but the threat of getting locked up – again – is daunting. Maybe Eric's way out is as Harlem Hustle, the rapper he dreams of being. At his side is Manley "Ride" Freeman, surrogate brother and best friend. And Jeannette Simpson, the college-bound "round-the-way" girl he hopes will be more than a friend. But does Eric have the strength to leave the familiar street life behind and the courage to reach for his dream? In her companion to Brother Hood , Janet McDonald once again captures the rhythms of Harlem in this fast, funny story of a restless teenager who uses the power of words to rise above it all.

Genres: Young Adult, African American, Book Club, Cultural, Realistic Fiction, Urban

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2006

About the author

Janet McDonald was an American writer of young adult novels as well as the author of 'Project Girl', a memoir about her early life in the Brooklyn projects and struggle to achieve an Ivy League education. Her best known children's book is Spellbound, which tells the story of a teenaged mother who wins a spelling competition and a college scholarship. The book was named as the American Library Association's Best Book for Young Adults in 2002.

In addition to books, McDonald also wrote articles for publications such as Slate, including one in which she paid psychic Sylvia Browne $700 for a telephone reading. McDonald was a member of Mensa, the high IQ society.

After graduating from Vassar (1977), Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism (1984), and New York University Law School (1986), McDonald practiced law in New York City (1986-1989) and Seattle (1989-1991). She took a position as an intern at a Paris law firm (1991-1993) before moving to Olympia, Washington to work in the Attorney General's office and teach French language classes at Evergreen State College. McDonald settled in Paris in 1995 to work first as an international attorney and then as a writer, until she died of cancer in 2007


For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/janet-mc...

Reviews

[Izayah Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Harlem Hustle was very inspirational. It brought out some troubles that people have to go through. Also the love that comes out and the fact that there's always something to strive for, no matter the situation. Amazing!!!!

[Collin Tyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harlem Hustle by Janet McDonald

Personal Response: I very much enjoyed this book. I feel like the characters have very reasonable storylines. I liked the way the author portrayed kids living in the early 2000's Harlem, New York environment- especially ones dreaming of being rappers and not giving school a chance. One thing I really didn't like was how the storyline all tied together. The author kind of jumped around from time period to time period, almost skipping certain details in between that I would've really liked to know.

Plot: "Harlem Hustle", AKA Eric Samson, was a young black male growing up in the hustle style environment of Harlem, New York. Eric had an ambitious attitude, and a rebellious one aswell. He had dreams of being a rapper but no money to fund it- so in order to achieve his dream of producing a mixtape he needed to produce a demo and show it to various record labels until someone likes it- but he has no money as is, and needs to make atleast S1,000 to produce his demo... So how does he make the money for it? He hustles, which got him the name "Harlem Hustle". He was a self-proclaimed expert at shoplifting. Eventually he got caught and sent to jail, only after achieving his $1,000 goal. Him going to jail then producing songs about it made a lot of record labels interested, because the rap game is all about being real and a thug. A label called "Tuff Roller Records" signed him for a demo and song contract. When a greasy scammer Mr. Motta tried stealing Hustle's song and not paying him, Hustle went to the owner of the companies son- Specer, or "Suspence"-his rapper name- for help from his dad. His dad, an extremely wealthy man, gave Hustle $3,000 for his song, "Back-Seat Shorty", a song about Hustle's love, Jeanette. Jeanettes mother hates Hustle and wishes her daughter wouldn't date him. Hustle and his best friend "Ride" preformed at an alternative school and decided to give it a try. Hustle books out a performance in Brooklyn, New York and does very well, leading to the end of the book.

Character:
Eric Sampson, AKA Harlem Hustle
Hustle is a young black male dreaming of being a rapper. He would steal things to try to get money for his demo. Harlem was always hustling for money, girls, but not school. Hustle hated the idea of school.

Ride
Ride, Hustle's best friend, was the second most important character in the book- yet he wasn't described much at all. He was also a young, black male who was more of a wingman to Hustle. He never stole, though. Ride shared similar ambitions as Hustle. Ride wanted to help Hustle become a famous, rich rapper. Ride also hated the idea of school.

Jeanette
Jeanette is Hustle's girlfriend. Hustle tried getting with her for years, but Jeanette was the Harvard School, strict parent kind of snobby girl. Her mother kicked Hustle out the second he walked in her house. Jeanette told Hustle that if he fixed up his act and spoke English properly, she would give him a chance. When Hustle become notable and got his song on the radio-of which was about Jeanette- she decided to go out with him. Her mother slowly become accustom to Hustle, as he learned to be more respectable around her and Jeanette

Recommendations: I would recommend this to high school or middle school males. It wouldn't hold the attention of a female. This book should interest anyone who doesn't understand much about what it's like for people of a lower class, especially African-Americans.

[George Brunk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Response

I personally thought that Harlem Hustle was a great book. It teaches a lot about different life lessons, and how powerful words can be even when you do not really want to hear them. I thought that although race was a huge factor in this book, it did not matter in the end. Eric, AKA Hustle, was a very well thought out character to act as a powerful voice in the harsh times for colored people back then.

Plot Summary

Eric is a hustle, given the name Harlem Hustle. Hustle is a colored kid, his druggy parents had abandoned him, and he does not do to well in school at all. Eric has a friend named Ride and they went to a late night party for rappers. There Hustle thinks that this is a beginning to his own rapping career. Although Hustle is black and people do not appreciate this at the time, he finds out a way to effectively speak to people not through words, but rap. Hustle rapping has brought him more life lessons then he had ever thought to be in and through trials and error he gets through them all.

Characterization

In the beginning of Hustle's life he was kind of a dick. Eric was doing everything for the fame, he could care less about what he said or did. He then realized he was not getting anywhere and with the power of thoughts, he changed his whole act. Jeanette and Ride are two great friends to Hustle and they would stop and nothing to help him, but little did they know Eric did not even need them. Changing his voice and raps so clean to even be heard on radio, getting his words out there is amazing considering he came from a low life self. Eric came from drugs and being a town bully to a town icon in the rapping world, putting inspiring words out there setting aside the fact of how much he struggled.

Recommendations

I recommend Harlem Hustle to anyone who likes a hero in the end. I also recommend this book to people who once wanted to give up in life, because there are a lot of times and good life lessons in Harlem Hustle on why you should not give up, as Hustle did not. I think this would best fit ages between 13-16 just because of the context, and amazing lessons held inside. Harlem Hustle is a great book, and any high school kid could definitely read it though.

[Marc]

This book Harlem hustle is a very good book. It's an inspiring book I feel like I would recommend this book to people chasing after their dream when they start off with nothing. This book was written by Janet McDonald she was born August 10 1953 Brooklyn Ny then died April 1 2007 in Paris France. The book is about a kid name Eric Samson had been qbanned by is parents. His parents abused drugs. Eric dream is to become a famous rapper to get money. He raised himself in the streets. Maybe Eric's way out is Harlem hustle. The rapper he dreams of being. By his side is his main man ride. His main lady Jeannette Simpson the girl he dreams of being more than friends with. One night out with his partner Ride. They stumble into a private party for rappers and into what he thinks will be a rap career. Will his dreams come true does he have enough force and drive to pull it off. I first picked this book because of the cover its a pretty sweet cover but once I started to read it was a very inspiring book. It showed what the world is like for people without a good start in life. I didn't really dislike the book but I wished it could be a part 2.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book for me to read because there are topics that im am intrested in reading abou.The reason why i started reading this book is because the summary on the back got me hook from the get go. The book is about alot difffrent conficts from hustleing,rapping, pickpocketing and much more. Iwould recommend this book to anyone 9th grade and above.Even tho this book is about some crimes that could happen to anyoone its a book that you HAVE to read!

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is interesting and exciting to read. It teaches us what the real world is and what is life like is in the streets. To me it also teaches me why education is important and why you should always do the right thing.

[Jada Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

very good

[OwenK1st · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like it.

[Timara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Samson, known as Harlem Hustle is a teenage African American boy who wants to become a rapper in Manhattan. While reading this story, I pictured what was happening to get a better understanding. I also think of this story as what some teenage boys think when they want to become rappers, go through because they have to make their own life choices because an adult wasn't in their life to teach them the right ways. I was enthusiastic when Hustle finally became a rapper after everything he had been through to become a rapper. I liked when Hustle made a bad choice but later in the story, he made a good choice. For example, the first time he tried to get someone to buy his demo, he got scammed. Then he took the risk again with another record label and got offered 3k for his first song, "Back-seat Shorty". "Aight! Keep it, man, you can have it. I don't want nothin'!"(McDonald 97) Hustle said to the scammer. This book may draw attention to upcoming rappers and teach them a lesson about the choices they make when working with music. Hustle had his ups and downs trying to achieve his goal but in the end, He still made it. As a result, this book was entertaining.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a 17 year old kid named Ed (Harlem Hustle) living in the projects growing up with no education. He steals and sells things in order to get money. The only thing he has going for him is his rhymes. Harlem Hustle is desprate to become a sucessful rapper.

This book reminds me of all the real poor kids in NY who don't have a good education and have to struggle on the streets all the time. In the book Harlem Hustle has just finished doing time in a prison and is back on the street stealing and selling. In real life prison does not change a lot of people they'll just go out causing trouble again.

"Harlem Hustle" is a good book because it has a plot with ups and downs. At points it is a little too preachy. That is why I only gave it 4 stars rather than 5

[Ibrahim Ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harlem Hustle by Janet McDonald is a realistic fiction about a teenager named Eric Samson, nicknamed Hustle who had to grew up in the streets by himself because his parents were druggies and he had been dismissed by his teachers.By his side he has his best friend Manley "Ride" Freeman and Jeannette Simpson

There are several different things that I like about the book.The first thing is that I can somewhat relate to the book and to Hustle. The next thing, is that the book has moments in it that I have seen happen before and the last thing is that the book doesn't try to sugarcoat anything.

In conclusion, the book keep me reading with all of the different things happening that were happening to Hustle and the people around him. If you like to read books about real life problems than this is a great book to read.

[Williamproctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hustle was a thief, and he had stolen a gold chain because he wanted to sell it for more than what it cost so he could get money to pay for a demo. I thought that the book Harlem Hustle was a very good book to read. If you are into gangster talk rapping, then you would like this book. I like the book because I like rap music and there was rap in the book. I thought the book would be a very good book, and it was. My favorite part was when Hustle and his friend Ride arrived at a party, and their names were not on the list and the bouncers got into a fight with them. I thought that the book would be interesting, and it was. If I gave this book a grade, it would be excellent. I did not dislike this book.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many young aspiring rappers, Hustle dreams of making it big in the music industry. In the meantime, he gets by with his "retail business" (selling stolen clothing). There is a pathos to Hustle's impassioned determination especially when he is unwittingly gamed twice by music execs. But his dicey ways take a turn for the more productive when his girlfriend's mother gives him a book of black poetry and he returns to school at an alternative setting. McDonald is clearly down with the 'hood, authentically portraying its voices and culture. There is humor here, too, in Hustle and Ride's friendship, and the clash of social classes.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

our newest selection for Reading for Change. I'm only a few chapters in, but I think the group will really like it.
Harlem Hustle is our main character, small time thief trying to avoid more jail time. Abandoned by his parents, he's living with friends in the projects. Just got to the introduction of his love interest, a lovely and talented girl who has a job and is going places. We'll see what everyone thought of it at our first discussion meeting tomorrow.

[Tjay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a young man from Harlem nick-named Hustle. He stole clothes and sold them for a quick buck. But twards the middle he meets Jeanette. Then his rapping career starts to take off so he stops stealing. I thought the plot was realistic beause there are probably many people in Harlem that steal and rap. But Hustle is different because he became i proffesional rapper. Although the ending wasn't great, overal it's a good book.

[Ariana Arevalo-losoya]

I very much enjoyed reading this book, the main character "Hustle" is trying to pursue his career in music while leaving behind his rought past. His 'side-kick' and close friend "Ride" is loyaly by his side the entire way. Hustle overcomes issues with getting a record deal, going back to school after dropping out, and connecting with his love interest Jeanette.

[Aidan Kosciolek]

This book was a very good and inspiring book to read. I would recommend this book to any one who is into rapping and hard times for young adults. The deeper meaning of Harlem hustle is when times are tough you can pick your self up and succeed in what you want to do. The element in this book is inspiration. I didn't really enjoy this book fully because of all the bad language inside of it.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

17 year old “Hustle” is a career shoplifter and an aspiring rapper. However, a shady record executive makes his dreams difficult to attain. Luckily, he is convinced that school is something that is worthwhile for him.

Pretty entertaining but it's very predictable.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of people dream of making it big in the music business, but only a few of them actually do. This book suggests that it’s great to pursue that dream, but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can find satisfaction and success without becoming a huge star.

[Teen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of people dream of making it big in the music business, but only a few of them actually do. This book suggests that it’s great to pursue that dream, but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can find satisfaction and success without becoming a huge star.
LJ@DTH

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned from this book that trying to be a gangster is not good. The main character Hustle realized himself after he had some incidents. Another thing i learned was if u want something never stop giving up on it, just keep trying.

[Claudia Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book i just started reading the book today at the library and i just had to go back and get it.I love how interesting it is i lover how she tells us about how he struggles in the street and how he meet this really nice girl.etc.

[Johnny Duenas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlem Hustle is a very underrated book about a young street hustler trying to make it through the difficult obstacles of a place with high-level of criminal actions and lots of people are influenced by the same exact people with more money that are also known as: rappers.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book uses a character from McDonald's earlier book entitled, "Brother Hood." I liked this one because it has an urban setting and some gritty characters but it has an upbeat ending

[David Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could have been better ,but it was interesting because its about some boy coming from the hood and going through many things .

[Keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book. I LOVE IT. I COULD JUST PICTURE ALL OF IT IN MY HEAD Y'LL READING IT.

[Phil Overeem · Rating 3 out of 5]

My student book group and I enjoyed this book, especially for its kid-friendly look at the rap music industry, but sometimes found the writing too inauthentic and unnecessarily fussy.

[Kajaun Sears · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the book it was great in till the very end of the book the I didn't like the ending because I could quest the ending.

[Maser]

i learned that if you stay in school you will have a better life

[Anthony]

I kind of liked this book.