145th Street: Short Stories

By: Walter Dean Myers

Narrated by: Brandon Gill, Almarie Guerra, Johnny Heller, Dominic Hoffman, Sullivan Jones, JaQwan J. Kelly, Adenrele Ojo, Paula Parker, Heather Alicia Simms, Bahni Turpin

From the award-winning author of Monster, this collection of powerful and poignant stories about 145th Street—an unforgettable block in the heart of Harlem—celebrates African-American life in all of its glory.

“Myers is a master.” —The New York Times Book Review

On Harlem’s 145th Street, things happen that don’t happen anywhere else in the world.

Get to know Big Joe, who’s throwing his own funeral while he’s here to enjoy it, and everyone’s invited. Meet Kitty and Mack, teens with a love story more real than anything they’ve ever known. Follow Monkeyman, the quietest kid on the block and the last person you’d expect the Tigros gang to target. And don’t miss the block party of the year—the whole neighborhood will be there.

From danger and despair to hilarity and joy, literary legend Walter Dean Myers captures every mood and every beat of life in this vibrant Harlem.


Stories and and touching tributes from authors, artists, and literary legends reflecting on Myer’s legacy are narrated by:

Brandon Gill
Almarie Guerra
Johnny Heller
Dominic Hoffman
Sullivan Jones
JaQwan J. Kelly
Adenrele Ojo
Paula Parker
Heather Alicia Simms
Bahni Turpin

Critic reviews

"Myers has a great natural style . . . and is completely at home in a Harlem depicted without adulation but with great affection." — The Horn Book Magazine, Starred

"Readers will find that they could settle in for hours and take it all in." — Publishers Weekly, Starred

"Fast, wry, and honest . . . the search for personal identity is at the heart of this lyrical collection, and so is the sense of the place." — Booklist, Boxed

Opened My Eyes

I absolutely 💯 loved this 📖 book, it makes me appreciate 🙏 black authors and their outlook on our culture and their open hearts 💕 at delivering our stories to everyone!!!

It's a NO for me

Nah Bro - Un unn..this book wasn't for me. The first short story was decent. Had it's funny parts. But overall - nah. Although they're short stories, I need a closure at the end of each. Don't just give me a long conversation with no point to it.
The end was ok with the history of Harlem, etc.. But even then, I think you have to be familiar with Harlem, or this neighborhood to appreciate these stories.