Walter Dean Myers lived up to all my expectations in The Beast, contemporary novel set in Harlem.    I’ve been reading this slim book during lunch and finished it in less than a week.  It’s a great pick if you’re looking for a quick read. 

Anthony “Spoon” Witherspoon left his home neighborhood of Harlem to attend Wallingford, an exclusive prep school that will help him achieve his dreams of college and success.  When he returns to Harlem and his girlfriend Gabi for Christmas break, he finds that the ground has shifted beneath his feet.  He sees that the rich and vibrant life of Harlem also hides dead end streets of desperation.  He learns that friends and classmates have taken wrong turns:  Scott dropped out of school and Clara is pregnant.  Worst of all, Gabi has fallen to the beast by shooting drugs.  She is but a shell of the vibrant poet Spoon left behind.  As Spoon struggles to help Gabi and understand their constantly shifting relationship, he learns that he can’t always be her knight in shining armor.  This is one beast he can’t slay for her. 

In this beautiful story, Myers explores the everchanging landscape of the heart.    We may be able to go home again, but home is never the same.