I bought this book for my Kindle mostly because it only cost 20p but also because I was intrigued that a book by the rapper 50 Cent had such good reviews. It’s a children’s book, or perhaps a teenager’s book given that the protagonist Butterball is thirteen years old.

I enjoyed the language, which reminded me a little of how they talk in The Wire. The prose is very fresh and real; I could hear Butterball talking to me. There is a shock in the book, which perhaps others will see coming a mile off, but it was certainly a jolt for me. I loved the illustrations too. I’m now wondering how much is autobiographical and how much is fiction.

In summary this is a very cool (or should I say tight?) tale which teaches valuable lessons without being preachy. Playground an unusual choice for me, but I was pleasantly surprised.

(30th in 2012)