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For Fans of "In the Heights"

 by Abby Johnson SLJ, June 2021

The Tony-winning musical about a Dominican American bodega owner and his largely Dominican community in the Washington Heights neighborhood in New York city came to the big screen on June 11. Fans of Heights and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda should enjoy these titles.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas. 2019, Grades 8-Up.


 African American teen Bri has big dreams of making it as a rapper, and when one of her songs goes viral, she has he opportunity to lift her family out of poverty. For music lovers who appreciate a story about city dwellers with big dreams.

Pride by Ibi Zobol. 2018, Grade 8-Up.


In this retelling of Pride & Prejudice, Dominican and Haitian Zuri Benitez protests the gentrification of her Brooklyn neighborhood when a wealthy African American family moves in across the street. Readers drawn to character-driven stories centered in beloved urban neighborhoods will enjoy this.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo. 2019, Grade 9-Up.


High schooler Emoni loves to cook, but struggles to balance school and raising her two-year-old daughter with her chef aspirations until she's accepted in a prestigious culinary arts class. Readers looking for hopeful stories set in urban neighborhoods about teens finding themselves will eat this one up.

~ Enjoy!


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