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Street Pharm Paperback – July 1, 2006

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 167 ratings

If a brother wanna get ahead, he gotta use every minute to better himself. Everything I did made me better -- tougher, stronger, richer, smarter -- or I didn't do it.

Take high school. A waste of time. Nobody there taught me what I needed to survive on the streets....


Ty Johnson knows survival. Since inheriting his pop's business at sixteen, Ty's developed smarts, skills, and mad discipline. The supply game's in his blood. And life is pretty sweet when you're on top.

But one slip -- or one serious competitor -- and life turns ugly fast. Suddenly, Ty's got to rethink his whole strategy. And for the #1 dealer on the streets, strategy is not just about staying ahead. It's about survival.
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–Set in Brooklyn, this urban drama novel depicts Ty Johnson's life as a 17-year-old African-American drug dealer. Taking over his father's territory seemed to be all that to Ty when he was younger, but now he realizes that there is more to life–mainly forming a relationship with Alyse, a single mother and his classmate at the local continuation high school. Struggling to hold onto the pieces of his father's business, he faces competition from out of town and things get serious. Neither Alyse nor his mother knows what sort of work Ty does until he ends up in the hospital after a drive-by shooting. Then the teen leaves school completely and moves out of his mother's apartment. He must decide who he is as his life is threatened and he loses the people closest to him. Easy to read and written in street slang including drug references and profanity, this debut novel will appeal to reluctant readers.–Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 8-11. While his dad is in prison, Ty Johnson is holding the family business together--the family drug business. A bright teenager, he has already incorporated surefire business principles into his daily life: never lose control; know your enemies; practice patience; and don't have a girlfriend until age 21. His self-discipline, brains, and business acumen are amazing for a 17-year-old, even though they are invested in a drug-hustling deadend. An alternative school and a lovely young mother seed doubts about his chosen profession, but it is a tragedy that finally convinces him to start over. Van Diepen has created a surprisingly hopeful book, one that respectfully acknowledges the intelligence and street smarts necessary for success, whether the challenge is drug dealing or college preparation. She also tacitly addresses the importance of second and third chances in teens' lives. While the resolution is regrettably unrealistic (few individuals as integrated into the drug trade as Ty can manage to escape as completely as he does), the book does offer an optimistic look at a drug-free, crime-free future for at least one young man. Frances Bradburn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon Pulse; First Printing - First Thus edition (July 1, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 297 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1416911545
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1416911548
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 years and up
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL500L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.75 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 167 ratings

About the author

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Allison van Diepen
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Here's my Autobio:

YOU KNOW THAT KID? Who wanted nothing more than to curl up with a book and shut the world away? I wasn’t that kid.

MOVIES WERE MY PASSION. Especially the dark, violent ones I wasn’t supposed to watch.

BOOKS CAME LATER. Once I discovered that books could be thrilling, action-packed and crazy romantic, I was hooked for life.

I DOZED IN CLASS a lot because I stayed up late writing stories of my own. Still, I managed to get my work done, and I went to university to study English. But:

SHAKESPEARE WASN’T MY THING. Neither were most of the classics I had to read. So I became a History major because what really excited me was real-life drama.

SHAKING THINGS UP was always a hobby of mine. So when I heard of an opportunity to teach in Brooklyn, New York, I jumped at it. I went to an interview and signed up on the spot.

I WASN’T STUPID. I knew teaching at an inner-city school notorious for violence wouldn’t be a cake walk. But I’ve always thrived on a challenge.

ALL THAT DRAMA gave me plenty of material, and I started writing books for teens.

AFTER SOME WILD ADVENTURES in New York City and a brief romance with then-struggling actor Channing Tatum, I returned to Canada. Which is where:

I MET MY HUSBAND and had two babies. And I got a job teaching at an alternative high school.

OKAY. So the Channing Tatum part isn’t true. I can dream, can't I?

AS I WRITE THIS I’m working on my 9th book.

AND THAT’S MY STORY…for now.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
167 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2017
This is my go-to book for my struggling readers. There is definitely some language in the book, so it isn't for the faint of heart, but my students LOVE it. It is usually one of the first books they have ever wanted to read and can't believe there is something that they are interested in inside of a book! My African American males adore this book and we have great classroom conversations about real world problems and how the main character could make better life choices. There have been times when some of my guys have gotten a little choked up over the story! I truly believe this is perfect for a classroom with struggling readers, probably because it was written by a teacher that knows how to connect with those students !
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2020
I always struggled with reading comprehension and this book made sure I was always on track and able to understand. Had me on my toes at all times waiting to see what happens next. First found this book at 13 years old and I’m now 25 still reading it.
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2021
As described. Arrived in time.
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2012
This is a really easy read. Keeps the reader entertained. Pretty short book, and seems to be more focused on teens. Overall a good book, I've read both of her books so far and would recommend them for a short read.
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2016
Good life example of how life could be in other areas. Good read don't really know what to say but read it. 20 letter damn review
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2016
My high school students love this book! My copy disappears every year (which is the mark of a book they just can't put down).
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2017
Great book for my middle school students. They love it just as much as Diepen's other YA novels.
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2013
It is amazing how as a parent i thought I know about the younger generation, but little did I know that a lot is going on in their minds that one parent can be aware of.

Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on April 20, 2017
Much loved by my daughter.
Rory McGuinness
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on June 18, 2015
Great! 5 stars