Bronx Masquerade

A CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD WINNER • A heartfelt exploration of adolescence, this novel celebrates the essence of poetry and the unifying strength of sharing one's voice.

“Rich and complex.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Readers will enjoy the lively, smart voices that talk bravely, about real issues and secret fears. A fantastic choice.”—Booklist

Behind every voice is a story waiting to be told.

When Wesley Boone writes a poem for his high school English class, some of his classmates clamor to read their poems aloud too. Soon they’re having weekly poetry sessions and, one by one, the eighteen students are opening up and taking on the risky challenge of self-revelation.

There’s Lupe, desperate to have a baby so she will feel loved.
Raynard, hiding a secret behind his silence.
Porscha, needing an outlet for her anger after her mother OD’s.
Janelle, struggling to come to terms with her body image.

Through the poetry they share and narratives in which they reveal their most intimate thoughts, eighteen teenagers show what lies beneath the skin, behind the eyes, beyond the masquerade.