Myers, Walter Dean. The beast

Myers, Walter Dean. The Beast. Scholastic, 2004 [0-439-36841-3]
Anthony, "Spoon" lives in Harlem but in his Junior year of High School he gets a chance to attend a prep school in Connecticut through a scholarship. When he comes back at Christmas to his family and friends... he looks at Harlem though different eyes. The girl he loves is now using drugs (the beast) and he provides her emotional support. His friends are all getting in trouble.. everything is just different. His dreams and loves of his life in Harlem suddenly change. This 170 page book looks approachable for younger students but it deals with a meaty topic. I would not recommend it below 7th grade.