What do you think?
Rate this book
Babygirl Dramas #1
16 on the Block
A girl's sixteenth birthday is supposed to be sweet, but for Summer Flynt, it was the day that her life changed forever. Young, fly, and beautiful, Summer is under the wing of her older sister, Trish. But when Trish steals something that doesn't belong to her and gets involved in a lifestyle she can't handle, she pays with her life. Summer soon finds out that she's expected to pay back her sister's old debt. With the entire neighborhood gunning for her, she's a sheep amongst wolves and only sixteen on the block.
Ride shotgun with Summer as she's forced to hit the streets, grow up fast, and learn hard lessons about survival, loyalty, and love. With $50,000 on her head, who can she trust?
Ride shotgun with Summer as she's forced to hit the streets, grow up fast, and learn hard lessons about survival, loyalty, and love. With $50,000 on her head, who can she trust?
159 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2009
41 people are currently reading
1935 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 3, 2010
How old is Babygirl? Because if she's, like, 16, then good for her for writing a book-length story about going from foster care to big ballin. It starts when Summer Flynt turns 16 and her older sister gets custody of her, taking her to live in a shiny new apartment with closets full of clothes and money stacked under the floorboards. Summer knows her sister's up to something shady with her employer/boyfriend Boss, but what can she do?
But if Babygirl isn't a 16-year-old girl, then how about some editing? This is well written on the sentence level, and there are a couple surprisingly real scenes: like when Summer walks to school in her new designer outfit and realizes that everyone else is wearing jeans and flip-flops. Or when she's trying to get a ride home from Jus, a guy who seems right for her because they're both social royalty, but who doesn't actually turn her on.
But some of the other scenes ... my problem isn't that they're pure fantasy (no way do cops or drug dealers operate the way the author suggests). My problem is that the scenes are disconnected. There are huge leaps forward in time and random changes in perspective. It isn't until about a 1/3 of the way into the book that the author suddenly starts writing chapters from the perspectives of characters other than Summer. I was like, what?
I wanted to like this book, and I think Babygirl has a strong voice and a good idea of what kind of plots appeal to teen urban fiction readers. The other reviews of this book show that plenty of people loved the action scenes: Summer riding around in the trunk of a car, running across town with a duffel bag of money, sneaking into her old apartment via the trash disposal system. I definitely wasn't bored. I was just distracted by the parts that made my editor brain kick in. So I'll be reading her other books and hoping she develops as a writer. Or gets a better editor.
But if Babygirl isn't a 16-year-old girl, then how about some editing? This is well written on the sentence level, and there are a couple surprisingly real scenes: like when Summer walks to school in her new designer outfit and realizes that everyone else is wearing jeans and flip-flops. Or when she's trying to get a ride home from Jus, a guy who seems right for her because they're both social royalty, but who doesn't actually turn her on.
But some of the other scenes ... my problem isn't that they're pure fantasy (no way do cops or drug dealers operate the way the author suggests). My problem is that the scenes are disconnected. There are huge leaps forward in time and random changes in perspective. It isn't until about a 1/3 of the way into the book that the author suddenly starts writing chapters from the perspectives of characters other than Summer. I was like, what?
I wanted to like this book, and I think Babygirl has a strong voice and a good idea of what kind of plots appeal to teen urban fiction readers. The other reviews of this book show that plenty of people loved the action scenes: Summer riding around in the trunk of a car, running across town with a duffel bag of money, sneaking into her old apartment via the trash disposal system. I definitely wasn't bored. I was just distracted by the parts that made my editor brain kick in. So I'll be reading her other books and hoping she develops as a writer. Or gets a better editor.
July 24, 2010
After Summer's mom was killed in a robbery, the only person she had left in the world was her older sister Trish. They spent their childhood in a group home, but on Summer's 16th birthday, Trish is finally allowed to become Summer's legal guardian.
For the first time in years, Summer has a real home, and to make things even better, it's nice. Although Summer loves her luxurious new lifestyle, filled with designer clothes and fancy cars, she doesn't like that Trish gets the money by doing illegal things for her boyfriend Boss. When things start getting dangerous, Summer has some tough decisions to make, and if she makes the wrong ones, she might not live to see another day.
The writing could have been edited a bit; there were some random POV changes, Summer's narrative voice kept changing, it was a little repetitive, etc, but the story was solid. Lots of suspense, romance and action make this a good choice for teens who want relatively clean - but not boring - street lit.
For the first time in years, Summer has a real home, and to make things even better, it's nice. Although Summer loves her luxurious new lifestyle, filled with designer clothes and fancy cars, she doesn't like that Trish gets the money by doing illegal things for her boyfriend Boss. When things start getting dangerous, Summer has some tough decisions to make, and if she makes the wrong ones, she might not live to see another day.
The writing could have been edited a bit; there were some random POV changes, Summer's narrative voice kept changing, it was a little repetitive, etc, but the story was solid. Lots of suspense, romance and action make this a good choice for teens who want relatively clean - but not boring - street lit.
Read
November 29, 2012I just finish reading 16 On Block by Babygirl Daniels. This book is about a girl name Summer Flit. Her mom died when she was 8 year old so her sister, Trish and Summer were placed in a Detroit Foster Care. When Trish was old enough to take care of her self she petitions the court and gains custody of Summer. On Summer's 16th birthday, she moves with trish to begain good life. When Summer finds out her sister was killed by her boyfriend, Boss besause she had stolen Boss money. Summer is expeted to pay back her sister's old debt while trying to stay alive in a taugh nighbrohood.
I would recommend this book to young adult becaus it's action because Boss kidnaps Summer in Jus's car trank and trids to kill Summer and Jus. I like this book because once you start reading you don't want to stop it.
I would recommend this book to young adult becaus it's action because Boss kidnaps Summer in Jus's car trank and trids to kill Summer and Jus. I like this book because once you start reading you don't want to stop it.
June 6, 2009
IRB#10 This book was filled with drama. It makes you wonder if there is anyone in the world that could possibly have it that bad. In the novel Summer Flynt is having a lot of family issues. Summers mother was killed when neither her nor her sister, Trish, was able to take care of themselves. As a result they were sent to an orphanage. When Trish was old enough to get out of the orphanage in order to take custody of Summer she had to be financially stable. She obtained this goal by doing some things that got her into trouble in the long run. So then summer is on her own with the death of her mother and sister hanging over her head. Thankfully she gets help from a boy named Jus who helps her piece her life back together.
After reading this book I was thankful for what my life is like now, even though I get sick and tired of school sometimes, or my family. It made me realize how much worse my life could be. I could have lost my mother at an young and been sent to live in an orphanage. I could have been on the run from someone who killed my sister and wanted revenge by killing me to.
After reading this book I was thankful for what my life is like now, even though I get sick and tired of school sometimes, or my family. It made me realize how much worse my life could be. I could have lost my mother at an young and been sent to live in an orphanage. I could have been on the run from someone who killed my sister and wanted revenge by killing me to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2011
I read this book because the teenagers I work with were all passing it around. It was clearly written for an early teen audience, and I have to say I never thought I'd find myself reading a book by an author whose first name is "Babygirl" but the story was fairly entertaining. What was unnerving, though, was the ending, in which the main character, who is 16 years old, evades the system and ends up living with her 19-year-old boyfriend... what a message for my teenagers to receive!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2014
This book was very good and I wish the author would make more of them he has very good skills
December 29, 2020
This is a good tale of a 16 year old girl who has lost her mom and now her 25 year old sister to murders and how she was alone in the world.
The novel was intense with all the things in this book. When you go through things like Summer, the main story character, you have to learn who you can trust in the world. Will she overcome the trauma of her existence? We will see.
Good story plot and it was worth the time it took me passing away the afternoon. Recommend.
The novel was intense with all the things in this book. When you go through things like Summer, the main story character, you have to learn who you can trust in the world. Will she overcome the trauma of her existence? We will see.
Good story plot and it was worth the time it took me passing away the afternoon. Recommend.
December 28, 2022
Loved it! Excellent story line, loved the characters and was rooting for Summer til the very end! Good teen with a good head on her shoulders. Wish Trish didn't have to go out like that, but thats what happens when you mess with low level thugs! Ready to read more by this author.
December 16, 2021
This is definitely out of my comfort zone. But I truly enjoyed it. I just wished Summer could've punched Mya in her face.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2022
This book made me feel dumb😒
August 2, 2024
As expected. Some predictable dialogue and plot. Short novel, but seemed to draaaaag.
December 9, 2024
A really good listen of Summer's life. Growing up in a group home to living with her sister and meeting Jus. Great story with alot of life nuggets about friendship! Wow.
October 21, 2011
"Summer and Trish are sisters and their mother died during a robbery.they both was sent to a group home,which they hated and when Trish turned 18 she was forced to leave her younger sister Summer when she was only 12"."Trish got out and got a job at foot locker.Trish wanted to take her little sister with but she couldn't because the government had too many reasons as to why she couldn't and she had no money was the main reason".Thats when she meet a man name Boss and they began dating.
Trish never told him about her family and he never told her where he worked.'All she knew was that he had alot of money'.Trish began to work with Boss as his drop of person she felt that ,that was the only way she would get her sister.She saved enough money to get a house and to get her younger sister Summer out of the group home.'Summer began living the true life as a teenger thats 16,she had it all freinds,a boyfreind named Jus and the looks and sytle,until her life came crumbling into her hands on the day of her birthday'.'Her sister was set up and kiilled by her boyfreind boss because he found out Trish had beed taking money from him'.
'Now Summer is alone in the world and she understand that she can't trust anyone'.On page 123 I found out that " she was on the run with $50,000 dollars and dont want to go back to the group home,and boss got award out for her dead or alive".Her freinds turned on her turned on her for the money.
'Before I read 16 on the block I had predicted that it was going to be about a girl that is 16 and she is going to be on her own'.In Detroit,With $50,000.I made my predictions base of the back of the book and the front cover of the book and aslo the title.Yes my prediction came true but more was involed then I thought it was going to be.On The front cover of the book there is a picture of a girl who look like she is 16 and she looks sad and lonely.
I once read another book that was simlar to this one.They here in they same sitution but they was differnt ages and they girl in the other book had only lost her mother.She was the only child.Also I know that alot of people ,young girls feel this way when they feel like they have no one left.They feel upset,sad,lonely,and they usally go into depression.This helps me better understand the text better by me being able to read and still be able to creat pictures in my mind and to pick up new vocublury while I read.
'While I was reading I picture Summer hiding in the tunk of Jus car'
.Scared out of her mind.On page 145 "It says I sighed a deep relief and began to cry because I was preparing for the worst and my plan had backfired"."I didnt want to die I didnt want my life to end this way".' I can picture her shacking and cold'.
An inferrence I had was that some one that was close to summer was going 'she had no one left'.On page 5 it stated that "Mama had taught me to stay hidden so that noone would see me."Give me all your money that you have in the cash register" Summer already new from those words that her and her mother was in danger.Summer heard a gun shoot and she seen her mother fall to the ground and the man run out the store.That was the first time she lost some one close.The second time was when she lost someone was when her sister died.her sister died because her sister boyfreind Boss found out that her sister was stealing from him.And he shoot her.
Trish never told him about her family and he never told her where he worked.'All she knew was that he had alot of money'.Trish began to work with Boss as his drop of person she felt that ,that was the only way she would get her sister.She saved enough money to get a house and to get her younger sister Summer out of the group home.'Summer began living the true life as a teenger thats 16,she had it all freinds,a boyfreind named Jus and the looks and sytle,until her life came crumbling into her hands on the day of her birthday'.'Her sister was set up and kiilled by her boyfreind boss because he found out Trish had beed taking money from him'.
'Now Summer is alone in the world and she understand that she can't trust anyone'.On page 123 I found out that " she was on the run with $50,000 dollars and dont want to go back to the group home,and boss got award out for her dead or alive".Her freinds turned on her turned on her for the money.
'Before I read 16 on the block I had predicted that it was going to be about a girl that is 16 and she is going to be on her own'.In Detroit,With $50,000.I made my predictions base of the back of the book and the front cover of the book and aslo the title.Yes my prediction came true but more was involed then I thought it was going to be.On The front cover of the book there is a picture of a girl who look like she is 16 and she looks sad and lonely.
I once read another book that was simlar to this one.They here in they same sitution but they was differnt ages and they girl in the other book had only lost her mother.She was the only child.Also I know that alot of people ,young girls feel this way when they feel like they have no one left.They feel upset,sad,lonely,and they usally go into depression.This helps me better understand the text better by me being able to read and still be able to creat pictures in my mind and to pick up new vocublury while I read.
'While I was reading I picture Summer hiding in the tunk of Jus car'
.Scared out of her mind.On page 145 "It says I sighed a deep relief and began to cry because I was preparing for the worst and my plan had backfired"."I didnt want to die I didnt want my life to end this way".' I can picture her shacking and cold'.
An inferrence I had was that some one that was close to summer was going 'she had no one left'.On page 5 it stated that "Mama had taught me to stay hidden so that noone would see me."Give me all your money that you have in the cash register" Summer already new from those words that her and her mother was in danger.Summer heard a gun shoot and she seen her mother fall to the ground and the man run out the store.That was the first time she lost some one close.The second time was when she lost someone was when her sister died.her sister died because her sister boyfreind Boss found out that her sister was stealing from him.And he shoot her.
May 9, 2013
RL: 5.0, PTS=5.0
Leslie says...
this book is about 2 sisters that there mom dies and they get send to fosters home and one of the sisters is 17 and she only needs to be on fosters home so when she turns 18 she is going to leave and fight custody for her sister but the judge say that she needs to get a job to get custody over here she need to get a job and show the judge that she is good so after fighting over here she won the custody and her baby sis is so happy to see her sis her baby sis thought her sister was going to be living in a not so good place but she actually lives in one of the best appartments but her baby sister ask her how could she afford such an amazing place and the sister says dont worry but in really life her sister is a drug dealer
Angel says....
This book is one of my favorite books because it keeps me intrested and it is not boring and its a good book. This book is about a teenage girl named Summer and she is having a rough life because her mom was shot and killed while she was at work and Summer saw the whole thing, now summer is in a foster home and her sister got out of foster home as soon as she turned 18 and now she is going to try to get her sister Summer out of foster home.
Leslie says...
this book is about 2 sisters that there mom dies and they get send to fosters home and one of the sisters is 17 and she only needs to be on fosters home so when she turns 18 she is going to leave and fight custody for her sister but the judge say that she needs to get a job to get custody over here she need to get a job and show the judge that she is good so after fighting over here she won the custody and her baby sis is so happy to see her sis her baby sis thought her sister was going to be living in a not so good place but she actually lives in one of the best appartments but her baby sister ask her how could she afford such an amazing place and the sister says dont worry but in really life her sister is a drug dealer
Angel says....
This book is one of my favorite books because it keeps me intrested and it is not boring and its a good book. This book is about a teenage girl named Summer and she is having a rough life because her mom was shot and killed while she was at work and Summer saw the whole thing, now summer is in a foster home and her sister got out of foster home as soon as she turned 18 and now she is going to try to get her sister Summer out of foster home.
December 30, 2009
This book is about the life of a girl named Summer Flit after she leaves the group home on her 16th birthday. Summer has been a foster child since the death of her mother in a robbery. Her older sister Trish becomes the mother like role as the court allows Summer to live with her sister. Being new to Michigan Summer has to find a new clique to hang out with.now when summer makes new friends she needs to lis to them because she doesn’t want them to now about her past!
I would use text-to-world connection in this book because this book has a lot to do with drug dealing and stuff and this book relates to so many people in this world cause there are a lot of drug dealers on the street today that screwed there whole lives up.
I would give this book 5 stars because the grabs your attention in the first couple of pages and its a really good book. i would recommend this book to anybody that like real world situations
Read
October 12, 2012it was a good book .
this book is about this girl named summer who's mom gets shot when she was little and she got put in a group home with her older sister trish. after trish turned 18 she got out of the group home and they told her that her sister had to stay there for a couple more years . when summer finally got out she went to live with here sister , her sister lived in a good apartment and had alot of money which she stole from her drug dealer boyfriend . readd and find out the rest cause im too lazy to type :)
this book is about this girl named summer who's mom gets shot when she was little and she got put in a group home with her older sister trish. after trish turned 18 she got out of the group home and they told her that her sister had to stay there for a couple more years . when summer finally got out she went to live with here sister , her sister lived in a good apartment and had alot of money which she stole from her drug dealer boyfriend . readd and find out the rest cause im too lazy to type :)
September 12, 2010
This novel was very excellent. As I read this novel I felt as if I would never be able to put the book down and stop. Anyone who reads this book will feel the same. As the read more and more I keep hoping that the book wouldn’t end. I would recommend this book to all teens that just want to read a good book.
December 18, 2013
i really like this book beacuse my sister is 16 and on the block and that book is exactly what mii sister do she doesnt listen to nobody when we tell her it is a bad idea but she doesnt listen i believe she is going too ,learn the hard way i thought she alreeady did ewen she went to jail for prosution but nope she was only off for 1 houur then she went back
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2012
A very, very short and intense read. Summer Flynt the main character kept me going through out these short pages. Between her hiding from her enemies inside a garbage can or being trap inside the trunk of a car and her actual enemy is driving the car looking for her gave me chills!
March 30, 2010
it was a god book it made me feel how most people in the world has nothing to live for but still fight to survive...
Read
April 16, 2010wow
Read
April 16, 2010wow
Read
May 1, 2010this is a very good book.
August 25, 2010
♥ Great Book ♥ I Absolutely Love Tara & Summer ! ♥
April 13, 2011
Wonder book. My junior high students are going to love this book. Very good and clean book.
Read
October 21, 2011It was a great book now im really looking forward to reading 16 1/2 on the block
January 4, 2012
GOOD BOOKS
September 3, 2012
Tooooo predictable.
Read
May 3, 2013this book sound good to read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews