The book is a collection ten different short stories. The book explains the hardships of life in Harlem. The first story,"Big Joe's Funeral"tells a tale about a guy in Harlem who is having a funeral while he is still alive. Big Joe is helpful To many people on the block. The second story,"The Baddest Dog in Harlem" is right after the funeral of Big Joe. The cops received a call that there was a guy shooting. Mary was just coming home when she noticed her drapes were all shot up. When Mary, Jamie, and the cops reached her apartment she noticed that her whole apartment was torn up side down. Mary is suing the city for the damage of her apartment. When Jamie went to his house he noticed that his brother was dead. The third story,"Fighter" is about the fighter and opponent. Billy and Danny Vegas are in the ring wrestling when the match was over Billy was all bruised up. Danny Vegas the fighter won!The fourth story,"Angela's Eyes" tells about Angela's dream about her dad and Poli. Angela had a dream that Poli had dead and she played his address in the lotto. Angela is a little depress because of the passing of her father. The fifth story"The Streak" we meet up with the narrator Jamie.Jamie is constantly teased because he lost the game against the school rival.The sixth story,"Monkeyman" is about this new gang in Harlem called the Tigros. Monkeyman is beat up because he was trying to save his friend. One of the tigros had a fight with Peaches and Monkeyman was helping his friend. The tigros beat up Monkeyman because of his interference. Monkey is shy, quiet, and laid back. He is very into school and very into his books. The tiros are trying to gain a reputation because they are a new gang in Harlem. The seventh story,"Kitty and Mack: A Love Story Kitty is trying to save her relationship.Kitty thinks love can save. Mack is a professional baseball player and he is shot in his foot.Mack is depressed and feels he is never going to be the same because his foot was amputated. Kitty helps him through it but Mack didn't care about anything. The eighth story,"A Christmas Story"tell about Officer O'Brien spending time with someone other than his family. Mr.O'Brien and his family is spending time with Mother Flethcer,who seems to have no family for this Christmas sesason.Mr.O'Brien and his family have a lovely time with Mother Flecther.The ninth story,"A Story In Three Parts" is a story in a story.Big Time was helping Ms.Pat with her grocery upstairs. When they reached the apartment Big Time intended to ask Ms.Pat to borrow some money.Ms.Pat told him to sit down and listen to her story. She told him a story how Doll, a slave was whip for hiding kids of her own. Ms.Pat kept going on meanwhile Big Time didn't not understand the point of the story.He received the money.After Big Time got the money he brought his drugs from the dealer and went home. When he returned home his mother was highly upset so he to sit up on the roof until she feel asleep.The tenth story,"Block Party-145Th Street Style"is a big bash on the block. People are eating,dancing,and singing.They are also enjoying other friends and families company!
