Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri

This graphic novel is based on 11-year-old Robert “Yummy” Sandifer’s life. By age 11, Yummy had 23 arrests, had spent time in and out of juvenile detention centers and was a member of a gang. In 1994, Yummy was involved in an act of violence and a 14-year-old girl was killed. The story is narrated by one of Yummy’s classmates who reflects on life in Chicago during this time and the difficulties of growing up without many role models and little to no money.

The author has a great website: http://www.gregneri.com/g.neri_yummy.html