Snitch

I enjoyed reading this book, it was more of a calmer read which was nice. The book was very exciting a lot of the time. It’s more of a quick read as well. I felt it was a good read about street life gangs and how they are and what their life is like in a way. The book isn’t vulgar which was so nice.

Julia and her friends try to stay clear of the gangs that run rampant in her Brooklyn high school. Up until the day that Eric Valiente shows up, she has succeeded. A chance encounter in the dean's office on Eric's first day brings the two of them together. Julia is instantly attracted to the hot new student, but she's never been the type of girl to score a guy like him. At a school dance, however, Eric makes the first move on Julia, and they quickly become an item. But Eric has secrets of his own that he's not willing to share. Before long, he has become a member of the Crips gang. This goes against everything Julia believes, and soon, she breaks up with him. But one night at a club, she hears that a rival gang is going to jump Eric. With a subtle warning to Eric, life changes for Julia. Overnight, she is considered a snitch and loses all of her friends. For her own protection, and against Eric's pleadings, she asks to join the Crips, as well. Once a Crip always a Crip. At least until the night that the leader of the gang and some of his lieutenants are busted in a raid. All eyes turn to Julia and Eric as the snitches. Can it be happening to her again? Ms. Van Diepen writes a powerful novel of the struggles to avoid the attraction of inner city gangs. Julia is a strong, independent character who tries valiantly to avoid the politics that goes on in her community. Only when it comes to her own protection does she have to reevaluate where she stands. The story moves quickly and is quite griping and gritty in its details. Reviewed by: Jaglvr

Got hooked on page one and then couldn't put it down!! Loved the main character Julia who tells it like it is in the most human of ways. Left me wanting more from this author just like her first book, Street Pharm, did!

Allison van Diepen is on a roll here. With her excellent book "Street Pharm" last year I couldn't imagine that she would be able to match that! But "Snitch" is all that I expected and more. The characters were well written and unpredictable. With a great story, amazing characters, and all the plot twists you could ever want "Snitch" is by far on my top 5 great young adult books of all time taking it's place right next to Street Pharm. Van Diepen is turning out to be a great writer and it will be fun to watch her progression. I can't wait to see her next brilliant creation! Write on sister! Write on!

Julia Divino is a good girl, not squeaky clean but good. she's an A student with plans for college, and she vowed a years ago never to join a gang. Julia has friends in the life and that's as close as she wants to get. Eric Valiente, Julia's dream guy. They meet he likes her, they'er togeather and it's amazing. Julia's falling fast and hard. but when Eric gets jumped in everything goes wrong. Julia is faced with choices and decisions that she never imagined having to make, and what happens when Eric turns out not to be who he says he is? This is my First Van Diepen book, so I didn't know what to expect, and I only have two small complaints, 1 Julia has a tendency to get preachy which gets agravating at times. And 2 Given the teaser for Snitch I anticipated a harder edgier storyline. It was still a really decent read though.

I purchased this book from the store yestday (11/24/07) after reading the back cover. I was in need of a new personal book to read inbewteen all of the school assigned books I have. Once I started reading this incredibly moving book about Julia DiVino I could not put it down and literally finished it within 4 hours. The style in which Allison van Diepen wrote this novel makes it a quick read. The chapters are relatively short which makes it compelling to read "just one more" before you put the book down. Before you know it your on the last chapter and wanting more. Still not sure if you'll like this book? Well if you saw the movie "Freedom Writers" then I know that you will love this book as much as I did.