Upon picking up SNITCH, I had pretty much no expectations. I didn’t expect it to be amazing; I was stuck at the airport, and expected it to be entertaining enough. I didn’t expect to really love it.
But I did! Julia is such a great character, Allison van Diepen is such a great writer, and, well, this is just such a great book! Now, of course, I can’t really comment on the authenticity of a book about gangs because I do not live in inner-city LA or Detroit or whatever (this particular book takes place in Brooklyn). I go to high school in a mostly suburban-to-rural district in North Carolina. There are still people in gangs around, yes, but it doesn’t totally dominate the way it does in Julia’s high school; it’s nothing like that.
Anyway, this book focuses on high school student Julia DiVino, who’s just trying to get through at her Brooklyn high school where gang lines are clearly marked, where gangs are everywhere. She’s not a member, though her friends Marie and Black Chuck do belong to gangs.
Julia’s life is going along fine, until Eric Valiente enters it. He’s new in school, and all the girls are drooling over him. But, for some reason, he’s interested in Julia. And he’s not the gang type, right?
Nothing is as it seems, and nothing will stay the same. Julia has hard choices to make, and then she’s got to deal with the consequences, whatever those may be.
I’m not sure I described the book well enough, but, trust me, it’s awesome. I wasn’t planning to buy this one at the bookstore, but I had some extra time so I picked it up, read the first couple pages, and I was hooked. Allison van Diepen really draws readers in, makes you believe this world (one so different from mine), makes you believe these wonderful characters. I literally couldn’t put this book down. It’s almost 300 pages long, but those pages totally flew by. If we’re lucky, there will be a sequel to this book, and, in the meantime, I certainly plan on picking up van Diepen’s first novel, STREET PHARM.
Five Stars
April 18, 2008 at 11:51 am
wat eva street pharm is better!!!
August 24, 2009 at 4:50 pm
i havnt read snitch yet but i really liked street pharm
September 25, 2009 at 11:16 pm
love u
November 15, 2009 at 8:38 pm
omg snitch is the best book ever.
October 15, 2011 at 12:20 pm
so good ive read it like 5 times in 3 weeks!
April 9, 2011 at 9:39 pm
I really like this book.i would of which I could read this book before, so i could open my eyes and see the reality I’m living in. I think this is a good book teenagers can read. Because that way they can really think if they want too be in a gang.I live in Oakland and I’m 17 years old. I’m in a gang and now is to late to move back. I really like this book because me and Julia have some things in common.
May 19, 2008 at 1:05 pm
COMPLETELY agree.. I don’t read books very often, but it caught my attention and I decided to give it a try. As soon as I started I could NOT put it down, it was AMAZING.. I read it in one day because it was that great!
I’m so excited to pick up Street Pharm tomorrow.
June 15, 2008 at 5:13 pm
This is honestly one of my favorite books. I loved the Charaters too. It honestly did catch my attention the first couple pages, and as soon as i got through the first chapter i couldn’t put it down. Street Pharm should be amazing!
October 23, 2010 at 8:58 pm
street pharm is really good im read it for reading class and couldnt take my eyes off it i got two detentions for reading it lol…
January 29, 2011 at 8:43 pm
I totally agree with y’all ! :D
September 3, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I completely agree. This is now my favorite book I’ve ever read. I actually read the whole book within three days. It was so hard to put done the book.
I can’t wait to get Street Pharm next.
September 23, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I LOVE HER BOOKS!! she is such a frreat writer she came to my school last yeat and my sister has her book signed i love street pharm too
September 23, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I LOVE HER BOOKS!! she is such a great writer she came to my school last yeat and my sister has her book signed i love street pharm too
October 2, 2008 at 1:09 pm
i havent had the chance to read this book but i loved street pharm!!!!
October 5, 2008 at 2:14 pm
i really liked this book even though im just 12 i loved this book this book is really the best book i ever read i recommend yall to read it your gunna like it
October 11, 2008 at 2:32 pm
i dont have a website i was wondering if you made a movie about snitch becouse i love that book iv read it 4 times in a row it is a wonderfull book but i was wondering if the book hade a movie and plz answer me at sexy-school-girl@hotmail.com plz tell me or if there is another book!!! plzzzzzzzzzz
by isabella cherot
October 20, 2008 at 12:04 pm
i just bought this book i am soo waiting for street pharm to come out i am only half way thru the book and i have work so i dont get as much time as i would like to read it but its very good so far and i think that any book that is really telling you about a high school life cuzz i live in canton ohio and their are crips and bloods here and i know exsactually what this book is coming to when i read it i love this book and cant WAIT til street pharm
October 23, 2008 at 9:36 pm
OMG! I LUV THIS BOOK ONCE I SAW IT IT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION I WOULD READ IT ALL THE TIME I JUST WISH TERE WUZ A SECOND PART!
I THINK U R A REALLY GOOD AUTHOR HOPE U MAKE A SECOND PART TO SNITCH=]
October 25, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I really loved Snitch!! I read the book in one day nd it really showed me wat ur gettin into when ur gettin involved wit stuff like the bloods nd the crips. Cant wait to get the next book!! =]
October 29, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I really enjoyed Snitch but I loved Street Pharm more (a really great urban read for teens). In Snitch, Julia speaks her own mind and won’t be involved in any gangs…until Eric comes to her school. Eric is very special and before long Julia is invloved in more gang related “stuff” than she ever wanted. Will she and Eric keep it together?
November 23, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I THINK “SNITCH” WAS THE BEST BOOK!!!..
I LEARNED FROM MY MISTAKES READIN IT!..
I HAVE BEEN IN GANGS ND EVERYTHING[FIGHTS,
GOTTEN JUMPED,HAVE JUMPED]..AND HAVE
EXPERIENCES OF ALOT OF THHINGS..
I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYTEEN
WHO HAS GANG RELATIVE PROBLEMS CUS BEIN A GANG DOESNT BRING ANY GOOD AT ALL.
THATS WHY I ROLE SOLO NOW…
December 14, 2008 at 12:27 am
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING I READ IT IN LESS THEN 6HOURS thats how good it was i would love if there was a second part :)
December 18, 2008 at 9:41 am
This book was awsome.I read it in less then a day. I loved it i think she should do a follow up on it!
December 20, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I have to agree.
IT was the BEST BOOK I have ever read.
I don’t like reading..
But I saw that book in the school library, and I read about it, and it sounded amazing!
I read it all in one night!
I couldn’t put the book down, then when I wasen’t reading it I kept thinking omg whats gonna happen next..
From time to time I think of myself thinking about what would happen if the book kept going..
I give it 14541545415415415241541 Stars, I love it so much!
December 22, 2008 at 10:28 am
you know what!! everyones right that book is freakin amazing!!! i never would of thought i would read a whole book i have never read a novel in my life and SNITCH was the first novel i read.. its a great booked i was hooked i read it all in four days!! and it would be a exananet movie if it came out..if street pham is as good as snitch ill be boroing that book from my libary!! 1000000000 stars!!
December 22, 2008 at 7:18 pm
omg !
this book is amazing.
I WANT ERIC SO BAD .<3
December 29, 2008 at 6:21 pm
dance dance
get the fuck in my pants
January 13, 2009 at 6:22 pm
This book is goooooooddddd………….
Im addicted,to this and twilight…..lol…
This book caught my ear from the very first word……
Everybody should read it!!!!!!!!!!
Duces:}
October 27, 2009 at 3:28 pm
this book is hella good kept me up all night when i was in the hall
January 15, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I dont read like at all i choose this book to be my ISU for shchool, i didnt expect to read it all or even like it. But i instantly fell in love with it i couldnt put it down once i started and i DONT READ. I love it♥
February 4, 2009 at 8:16 pm
0Mg!i AGRREE dat is the most amazing book i’ve ever ead in my life!
i also read it in one day!
l0ve it
February 11, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I LOVED TIS BOOK I LIKE NEVER READ BUT I READ THIS BOOK SO MANY TIMESS <3
February 16, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Wow, this is the Best book i have ever read. Im only 18 but i was assigned to read this book in class. I did the same thing i do with everybook and threw it in the corner of my desk. the first day i read this book i loved it. it speaks to me. Every word that is spoken in that book is true. it relates to “today” And i would recommend this book to anyone and everyone! Although i would love to see a movie! is there one?
March 9, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I am about to Street Pharm but i did read Snitch it was one of the best books that i have read that I can relate to. She is a very talented and a awsome writer.
March 19, 2009 at 1:19 pm
This story is so cool want 2 read more!!!!!!!!!
March 31, 2009 at 6:28 pm
i hate reading books..
but this book totally caught my eye
i read it about 3-4times? LOL
but it never gets boring..
Eric Valiente
April 3, 2009 at 9:14 am
I love this book
IT’s awesome
I want to read Street Pharm
April 3, 2009 at 9:56 am
I agree with you i got introduce to this book by my teacher she said it will be good book for you to read because it related to my school. I love snitchhhh(:
April 27, 2009 at 10:49 am
i love this book, is the best book i have ever read in ma whole life.
keep writing books like that and ill buy every single book u write
June 6, 2009 at 3:53 pm
i love this book hopefully she can make a snitch part two i would read it in a heart beat.
February 7, 2011 at 3:52 pm
cosigned!
September 4, 2009 at 7:15 am
psssshhhh snitch is sooooo wuzzup compared to tha other one
September 25, 2009 at 11:17 pm
yo wats u girls numbers
November 23, 2009 at 12:19 pm
This book was of the hook!!!!
November 23, 2009 at 12:20 pm
This book was really good!!! You should make a movie about it ma numba is 9148562325
December 14, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Gosh This Book Suckks, I never want to read anything like this in my life. WHO AM I KIDDING THIS BOOK IS THE BEST. they should make a movie or tv show. I never read anything this good and im a reader (by the way im 12 and i say its for ages 10+) but its really good for teens.
February 15, 2010 at 3:34 pm
I LOVE THIS BOOK , i was hooked form the start i love Allison Van Diepen she amazing !
February 17, 2010 at 11:40 am
I loved this book i actually ordered it after seeing it in the back of “go ask alice”(another good book) I read it in one night and was shocked by the twist…
April 12, 2010 at 12:07 pm
snitch is an amazing book . i was just scamming through books in the library when this one caught my eye.
its an amazing adventure . i could actually picture it in my head .
i cant wait to read street pharm though.
May 12, 2010 at 11:56 am
This book really was amazing! I just finished the other two books by Allison – street pharm and raven. Both amazing books. They start off slow and not so interesting but once they get better it’s hard to put the book down!!
September 14, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Best Book Ever!!!!! The book had an impression on me pwnd all i can say is u rock author street pharm is probably gonna be good too Is a positive influece among teens and targets life’s challenges. Real Live Niggaz Probably the Best Gang
October 12, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Guud read in 3 days i got addicted going to the market and getting street pharm. sound like i take drugs lol
November 11, 2010 at 6:13 pm
i read both snitch and street pharm and could not take my eyes off either one, there AMAZING. i read each one in with-in 2 or 3 days. i hate readin but these books i loved.
November 19, 2010 at 12:27 pm
OMG!!!!!!!!! this is definetly the best book ever. i read it 3 times. i think you sould make like a series of snitch and street pharm books. i love you soo much for making this book.
December 10, 2010 at 5:30 am
I did read snitch it was a good book……..although I did get mad at the ending of the book……when I found out that all Eric was doing there was to spy for the cops on somebody. I didn’t have the chance to read street pharm as of yet…….but i heard that it was a good book
December 14, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Best book evahh!
January 27, 2011 at 7:40 pm
THE BEST BOOK EVER!
i hate to read but i couldnt put it down.
<3 it!
February 7, 2011 at 3:49 pm
i honestly didnt know id like it. at first, i was sitting in first period, and my reading teacher said ‘pick a book to read.’ so when i saw snitch, i thought it would just be a book id sit and pretend to read for the whole year.
but when i flipped through random pages, i saw one word that caught my interest. crip. so i started to read it. and the only reasons i read a book was in this on.e it made me love the characters, it pertained to my knowledge, and it was exciting. i hated maria, loved black chuck, and was shady about scrap. i couldnt believe eric, and wanted to see how the crips would have been without the lieutenants. allison van diepen did an amazing job and i ordered street pharm and cant wait to read it.
February 7, 2011 at 3:51 pm
and by the way, you inspired me to finish the book i am writing, which is alot like snitch, thank you for giving mt a reason to read :) you did an amazing job and i hope you dont stop writing these types of books. thank you so much
March 8, 2011 at 5:19 pm
i read snitch in one day it was such a good book. my teacher picked it out for me and said it was a really good one and i should try it.
September 5, 2011 at 4:19 pm
I am julia divino
October 8, 2011 at 2:26 pm
SNITCH WAS AWESOME :D
October 22, 2011 at 11:09 am
I haven’t read snitch but I find her “the vampire stalker” awesome!
October 22, 2011 at 11:11 am
I haven’t read snitch but i find allison’s “the vampire stalker” awesome
December 1, 2011 at 6:17 pm
snitch is the best book ever i dont lke too read but i got caught onto this book ilove it cant wait to get street pharm!!
February 24, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Snitch was the best book ever :) i read it in 1 day
November 28, 2012 at 1:01 pm
these bitches is bad as fuck bruuuh =
September 18, 2013 at 8:58 pm
I can honestly say I don’t like reading. Until I read Snitch, it was the best book I had ever read and enjoyed. I just couldn’t stop reading it. I was to excited to know what will happenen next! You should really make a part 2? {: I’ll love to see what will happen next. There should be a MOVIE out of this (: