DARIUS & TWIG by Walter Dean Myers.  New York: Amistad, 2014. 224p.
ISBN 978-0061728259 hc. $9.99   Gr. 7-11  YA FIC

Myers features best friends from the same Harlem neighborhood who stand out in their fields of interest, Darius as a writer and Twig as a runner.  Faced with individual challenges that include unsavory and unsupportive family members, bullies at school, and danger on the streets, they strive to find a way out of the neighborhood and into college.   Instead of letting themselves fall into despair over their lot in life, Darius and Twig encourage each other’s progress and keep working toward their individual goals.  Myers scores big with this tale of steadfast friendship. ~ Lynette Suckow, Peter White Public Library