On the day Michelle Peña wins in the qualifying rounds for All-American track and earns a spot on her school’s academic decathlon team, she and her best friend, Kiki, are kidnapped. Michelle knows her kidnappers: They’re members of the gang run by her mother, Reina. Reina is serving time in prison, but her name still strikes fear in the hearts of members of the 99’s. With Reina’s capture, the gang collapsed, and Michelle, just 12 at the time, went to a misguided, gay, overworked but ultimately loving foster father. Despite Reina’s imprisonment, the 99’s are still operating, but they need royalty in the form of Princess Michelle. There’s salty gang talk, an urban setting and plenty of violent action. Readers will see adult language and situations, but the focus is on a smart teen character with growing-up issues, not the adult world of gang politics. Michelle talks tough but has a soft heart for her friends and family. This may not be great literature, but it holds strong appeal for teens who can’t get enough street lit. (Fiction. YA)
