23 English eng Bleeker, Gerrit W. Contributor <p><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In spite of his indifferent, unruly landscape, Tyrell tries to be responsible and caring. Because his mother is immature and dysfunctional, he assumes full responsibility for his younger brother, Troy. Brett, on the other hand, is an artist who cares about books, music, and the theater. Because Brett does not fit the image of the typical Flint male, Brett and his dad clash. Not only does hip-hop help Tee-Ay fit in, it also teaches her about the benefits of "elevating your mind" (120). Since sixth grade she has dreamed of graduating high school with a respectable GPA so she can attend a good university-USC-in spite of all the "haters" who constantly try to bring her down. [...]she works hard to overcome all of the obstacles in her way-low self-esteem; a drug culture; a school with ". . . helicopters, race riots, and wannabe gangstas" (230); an overly-protective mother who does not trust her; and daily black-on-black violence.</span><br></p> Assembly on Literature for Adolescents -- National Council of Teachers of English Winter 2008 pdf ISSN 0882-2840 Adolescent Literature Literary Landscapes: Using Young Adult Literature to Foster a Sense of Place and Self mixed material Assembly on Literature for Adolescents -- National Council of Teachers of English