Gr 8 Up-After meeting on a subway platform in New York City, Landowne and Horton share a conversation about art and life while riding uptown and downtown. Youme listens carefully as Anthony tells his story of living on the streets after being abandoned by his adoptive family. At first he stayed at a homeless shelter where he witnessed, "things no kid should ever see." He discovered a city below the city when one day the police chased him into a subway tunnel. In these dark passageways, Anthony built a makeshift home and found a canvas for his artwork. After showing Youme his life six stories below the city, the two artists begin a collaboration that ends in this beautiful, gritty biography. Both Youme and Anthony contributed text and art to the book-their black and gray watercolors are tender and raw, their words spare and poetic. This book's unflinching look at homelessness and the ability to find hope and inspiration in the dark will appeal greatly to teens. Lauren Anduri, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

A white, female artist looking at subway posters meets an African-American man, and they strike up a conversation about life and art as they ride the subway up and down the line. He tells her the story of his life: He was given up for adoption as a baby, but his adopted family didn't want him and he found himself on the streets, which, although harsh, were preferable to the shelters. "That is where the real pain started. People died there every day. And every day they came back." Sleeping on subways lasted until the cops chased him into the tunnels, where he found a whole new way of life. Muralist and book artist Landowne met Horton shortly after the release of her 2004 picture book Selavi ; the two collaborate here to bring Horton's story of perseverance and hope to print, and the fluid black-and-white sequential panels tell it well. The horrors attendant on homelessness are not sugarcoated, and the language is as raw and gritty as one might expect. Powerful. (Graphic memoir. YA)

This short, collaborative graphic novel introduces teens to a life unheard of by most. While riding the subway in New York City, Landowne met Horton and began talking about art and life. Soon Horton tells his life story. He was homeless most of his life. After living in a shelter that felt more dangerous than the streets, Horton left to try to survive on his own. Running away from a police officer introduces Horton to the subway tunnels and the people who lived in there. Learning to live in the pitch black lifestyle of the tunnels gave Horton the strength to know himself and his art. Sharing his story in this full-page graphic novel style helps the reader perceive the darkness surrounding HortonÆs life and the light that his artwork gave him. The artwork done in black, white, and gray watercolor tones is realistic and sparse with subway details illustrating a wide range of multicultural characters riding the subway. Hardcore graphic novel enthusiasts might not be the real audience for this title because it has little in common with manga or superheroes. Handselling or booktalking to readers who like true life stories or gritty fiction will find this special title and format an audience.ùKristin Fletcher-Spear.