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192
Novel • Fiction
Queens, New York • 1990s
2008
Middle grade
10-14 years
750L
After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson follows three African American girls in Queens, NY, during the 1990s as they experience the events surrounding Tupac Shakur's life, including his shootings, imprisonment, and ultimate death. As the girls navigate their adolescence, they explore themes of friendship, family, and identity against a backdrop of social challenges and injustices. The book contains discussions of race, racism, anti-gay bias, gun violence, fatalities, wrongful conviction, imprisonment, and the foster system.
Nostalgic
Emotional
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Inspirational
4,474 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jacqueline Woodson's After Tupac and D Foster is widely acclaimed for its lyrical prose and profound exploration of friendship, identity, and the impact of Tupac Shakur on three girls' lives in 1990s Queens. Praised for its authentic voice and emotional depth, some critics note a slower narrative pace. However, its compelling characters and themes resonate powerfully.
Fans of Jacqueline Woodson's After Tupac and D Foster are typically drawn to emotionally rich, coming-of-age stories set in diverse urban environments. Readers who appreciate the themes in Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give or Walter Dean Myers's Monster will find similar resonance in Woodson's exploration of friendship, identity, and loss.
4,474 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
D Foster
A mysterious and independent girl with green eyes who comes from a foster care background, and forms a deep connection with the narrator and Neeka while navigating their shared experiences.
Neeka
An animated and humorous girl from a large, bustling family, known for her desire for independence despite her love for her close-knit community led by her protective mother, Ms. Irene.
Flo
D's foster mother, known by the nickname Foster Lady Orderly, who provides structure and freedom but maintains an emotional distance, symbolizing the transience of D's foster experiences.
Ms. Irene
Neeka's vigilant and protective mother, who collaborates with the narrator's mother to create a secure and supportive environment for their families in the neighborhood.
Tash
Neeka's older brother who faces wrongful imprisonment, highlighting themes of bias and the struggles of living openly as a gay person in a complex community environment.
Jayjones
Neeka's older brother, a high school senior and basketball talent, who seeks scholarship opportunities while confronting the societal challenges of being a young Black man.
192
Novel • Fiction
Queens, New York • 1990s
2008
Middle grade
10-14 years
750L
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