Bang!(Audio CD)

Mann lost his younger brother, Jason, two years ago- an innocent bystander in a shooting on his own porch. These murders are a frequent occurrence in Mann' s neighborhood. They' re so common, in fact, that he and his best friend, Kee-lee, keep a running tally of all the deceased, since no one else seems to be paying attention. Even that is not enough. More and more, Mann escapes reality through painting and horseback riding, but eventually turns to fighting, cheap thrills, and much worse. In a last-ditch effort, Mann' s father does the one thing he thinks will teach his son how to survive. Drawing from an ancient African tradition, he abandons Mann and Kee-lee in the woods, leaving them to navigate their way home, alone. What seems like a good idea quickly turns tragic when a father' s good intentions force his son down a destructive path. Could anything be worse than losing one son? Another wrong turn and it will all be over for Mann as well. Bang This realistic portrait of inner-city life is both sober and transcendent. Through its honesty, listeners are compelled to open their eyes to what' s happening in their own homes and in the world around them.

Sharon Flake is an author of young adult literature. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has resided in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her daughter for many years. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in English. Her works include The Skin I'm In, which follows a young African American girl who has issues with people teasing her about the color of her skin and the way she dresses. She tries her best to fit in but it doesn't go too well. She learns that trying to fit in is not the best way to make people like you. Her works have won numerous awards. The Skin I'm In won the John Steptoe New Talent Award in 1999 for new authors and garnered positive feedback from Booklist and School Library Journal.