If I Grow Up by Todd Strasser is a 2009 YA novel that follows DeShawn, a young teenager living in the violent Frederick Douglass projects of Chicago. Surrounded by gangs, drugs, and crime, DeShawn struggles to escape the harsh realities of his environment. After his mother's death in a gang shootout, he is raised by his grandmother, who is growing frail. Despite excelling in school and being offered a better future through a magnet school, DeShawn ultimately succumbs to the pressures of his surroundings, joining the Douglass Disciples gang. As he rises through the ranks, he faces dangerous choices, including betrayal and murder. By the time he's 16, DeShawn has become the co-leader of one of the city's most powerful gangs, but the consequences of his decisions lead him to prison by the age of 18. The novel explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the impact of violence in urban life, receiving mixed reviews for its portrayal of inner-city struggles and its heavy-handed narrative.
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