The Sista Hood: On the MIC

The Sista Hood by E-Fierce draws you in from the first page with the bold yet questioning voice of Mariposa as she pines away for school heartthrob EZ (Ezekiel) on the bus home from school. EZ has fallen for Jessica Hoffman, aka J-Ho, and Mariposa's jealousy, after befriending EZ at camp, launches the story. But it's a lot more than a book about a girl pining after a boy. E-Fierce manages to engage many contemporary issues about race, culture, sexuality, and popularity in this engaging tale of friends and sometimes enemies who are all trying to find themselves, as well as separate and learn from their parents. The girls have plenty of very heavy, adult issues to work out, and test the boundaries of family and friendship, forming much more than a clique. How they look out for one another, how they argue, how they learn who's worthy of caring about and investing time in, are important lessons here. Written in a fast-paced style, this had me rooting for the girls to win their talent show. In a somewhat surprising (to me, at least) turn of events, lesbianism amongst these students comes up, and save for some parental freaking out and macho posturing/homophobia amongst their classmates, it's presented as pretty much normal, just one way of being amongst many. The questions Mariposa asks herself show her to be very self-aware; she's not perfect, and wants to do the right thing, but her confusion over what the "right thing" to do, as evidenced by her various to do lists, proves her willing to work on herself to improve not just her life but those of the people she cares about. Issues of class, race and identity, both in terms of discrimination and how each character feels about her own background, permeate the book, but in a way that makes the reader ask questions as well; Mariposa starts off with some very strong views that she has to rethink as her circumstances and feelings change. The use of hip-hop throughout, both by Mariposa and the influence of that culture, is everywhere in this book, with the idea being that these characters can be a part of hip-hop, not just consumers of it. I'd recommend this to any teenager, or adults like me who like engaging, unique YA novels with strong characters and something to say. I look forward to the next installment in this series.

I was so excited to finally get my own copy of the SISTA HOOD: ON THE MIC. This book was a page turner as it mad me laugh, cry at times and always applaud these amazing young girls on the mic. E-Fierce is so real, authentic and talented in both her writing and portrayal of young girls of color. Gracias mi hermana for being true and exploring new borders!

The first book in one of the most anticipated young adult book series' is now available. The Sista Hood On The Mic by E-Fierce hit book shelves on July 11th. Girls do more than just like hip-hop music. There is a huge culture of young women who are a part of the hip-hop music. They feel the music and they perform the music. Mariposa likes to flow and she has no problem sharing her lyrics and rhymes with a new male friend named Ezekiel. They spend their first summer as friends together getting closer through the passion they both share-music. The thing is Mariposa (MC Patria) wants Ezekial (MC EZ1)to like her like her, you know like her like a girlfriend rather than a friend who is a girl. When Ezekial hooks up with another female emcee, Mariposa feels the burn. Things really heat up when the school talent show comes into play. Rather than enter the talent show solo, Mariposa decides to form a crew. Although the three women have differences, they struggle through them with a common goal. The Sista Hood On The Mic is an exciting book for teens who love music and love to read. It's a fast paced book and would make a great movie one day. This is a wonderful new series with strongly written multicultural characters. The book also features celebrity surprises!

E-Fierce captures the world of Hip-Hop for young women rarely seen by popular media so eloquently. It's a great book for all ages. So go pick it up! especially if you are a teacher and your looking for hip-hop reading material for your class.

I had the privilege of receiving an advanced review copy of THE SISTA HOOD, and I am thrilled that someone is writing a series of young adult novels for the girls of the hip hop generation. Mariposa and her crew may be diverse (Latinas, African Americans and Asian girls are represented), but there's not an aspiring video vixen among them. All these characters wish to use using hip hop to be heard and seen in only the most affirming way; just like the countless girls who rarely see themselves on the page or screen. E-Fierce has written a story that has enough edge for its audience to believe she is "keepin' it real." Like their real life counterparts, Mariposa and her friends are not without their problems and challenges. Yet E-Fierce neither talks down to her readers nor gives into sensational impulses to maintain their attention. Rather she explores issues that they can relate to in the language they speak. THE SISTA HOOD: ON THE MIC is great start for what promises to be a fantastic series that is long overdue. Even adults who are hungry to find positive hip hop that they can share with the youth in their lives whether at home or in the classroom will love this book.