When We Was Fierce

e.E. Charlton-Trujillo's "When We Was Fierce" is a powerful and unflinching verse novel for young adults, targeting ages 12-18. It follows 15-year-old Theo, who, after witnessing a brutal gang attack, finds himself deeply entangled in a cycle of street violence, retribution, and danger both in his neighborhood and at home. Told largely in authentic street dialect, the book explores themes of survival, justice, friendship, and the profound struggle for independence and escape from a seemingly inescapable environment. Parents should be aware of the prominent themes of violence, peril, and the raw, realistic portrayal of urban life, making it an excellent choice for opening conversations about social issues and resilience.

In an endless cycle of street violence and retribution, is there any escape? A powerful verse novel by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo. Fifteen-year-old Theo isn't looking for trouble, but when he and his friends witness a brutal attack on Ricky-Ricky, an innocent boy who doesn't know better than to walk right up to the most vicious gang leader around, he's in trouble for real. And in this neighborhood, everything is at stake. In a poignant, unflinching novel of survival told largely in street dialect, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo enters the lives of teenagers coming of age in the face of spiraling violence among gangs, by police, and at home.