There Goes the Neighborhood

By: Jade Adia

Narrated by: Mela Lee

A raised fist against the destructive forces of gentrification and a love letter to communities of color everywhere, Jade Adia's unforgettable debut tells the darkly hilarious story of three best friends willing to do whatever it takes to stay together.

The gang is fake, but the fear is real.

Rhea's neighborhood is fading away—the mom-and-pop shops of her childhood forced out to make space for an artisanal kombucha brewery here, a hot yoga studio there. And everywhere, the feeling that this place is no longer meant for her. Because while their little corner of South L.A. isn't perfect, to Rhea and her two best friends, it's something even more important—it's home. And it's worth protecting.

But as more white people flock to their latest edgy, urban paradise for its cheap rent and sparkling new Whole Foods, more of Rhea's friends and family are pushed out. Until Rhea decides it's time to push back. Armed with their cellphones and a bag of firecrackers, the friends manipulate social media to create the illusion of gang violence in their neighborhood. All Rhea wanted to do was protect her community. Her friends. Herself. No one was supposed to get hurt. No one was supposed to die.

But is anyone ever really safe when you're fighting power with fear?

©2023 Jade Adia (P)2023 Disney Hyperion

Entertaining

Great narration and entertaining story of a close group of friends. Recommend for older teens.

Great and funny story about growing up in L.A.

A fantastic young love story that takes place in an L.A. neighborhood that is being gentrified. I loved the group of diverse friends and families. It is also a love story about found families who love their neighborhood and do not want it to change.

Incredible Story of Friendship and Protest in South LA

I so loved this story of friendship, protest, home, and love. Such an appealing book for older YA readers as it is for adults, and the poetry of Jade Adia’s words are brought to life in a beautiful way in this audiobook.