Hit or Miss by Latrice Scott takes us on a wild ride through Miami, Florida as we are introduced to Keyerra.  Keyerra is a young girl who requires the best things in life, falling down on her luck she is looking for a sugar daddy or a fast come up.  So she decides to hook up with her friend Nay-Nay and find out how she holds it all together and always seem to stay so fly.

To read the complete review, visit:

http://www.apooobooks.com/hit-latrice-scott

If your ancestry could be traced back to a family that owned African-American relatives of yours as slaves, would you consider that family to be YOUR BLOOD RELATIVES? Not to mention, this family is Caucasian and includes a very prominent member, John McCain!

Meet Lillie McCain! Lillie McCain's family is descended from two slaves, named Isom and Lettie. She is their great-great granddaughter. They remained closely entwined with the white family for decades after the Civil War, taking its surname and living close by on land rented from their former owners.

The black McCains of today were raised to believe that they were blood relatives of the white McCains, dating back to slavery times. White McCains say they're unaware of any biological connection between the families.

Lillie McCain remembers seeing Martin Luther King Jr. speak from the back of a flatbed truck in nearby Greenwood. In the late 1960s, black McCain children were among those who integrated the previously all-white schools in the county seat, Carrollton. In 1969, Lillie McCain was one of the first two African-Americans to graduate from the integrated high school. Four of the six McCain children in her family served in the military and all six earned college degrees.

What great history and accomplishment the black McCains were and still are a part of. I believe her father said it best as quoted by her sister Mary McCain Fluker, "You are no better than anybody, but you're just as good as anybody."

Lillie McCain holds a doctorate in psychology and teaches at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan.

For the full article, visit: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122419511761942501.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

I wanted to write something interesting, intriguing, and stimulating. But the only thing that keeps running through my head is Liz Phair's song, "Don't Have Time". So I'll share that with you!

Take a look around
This is what it's now
It's a little bridge now, baby
It's a little bridge now
Just a photograph
Kinda makes me laugh
It's a little kid now, baby
Some little kid

If I could solve your problems
What do you think I would be
One stupid seagull picking styrofoam up out of the sea?
Don't have time
Don't have time
Don't have time for all your problems
Why don't you solve them?

Take a look around
This is what it's now
It's a little bridge now, baby
It's a little bridge now
Just a photograph
Kinda makes me laugh
It's a little kid now
Pudgy, dumb little kid

If I could solve your problems
What do you think I would see?
All of my beautiful banquet receipts have been laid out for me
It's been played out for me

Don't have time for your fear, and your tea, and your queer little feats
And your joy, and your sweet little boy
And you're trapped in your sphere
I'm sorry but no one's home

I couldn't hear you, and now I think I've lost you
I could've made it easier and you would think that's good
Don't remember feeling older any worse than feeling wooden and alone
Wooden and alone

What I don't have time for is listening to nonsensical reasons why people are choosing not to vote for Obama. For example, my best friend said that she's going to write Hillary Clinton's name in on her absentee ballot. I replied, "She's not a candidate!" She said, "She will be after I write her name in." The conviction in her reasoning made me sick to my stomach. Mind you, it was way too early and I hadn't even eaten yet. I told her, "If you want to waste your ink, go right ahead. That'll at least be one less vote for McCain." 

But the reality is that she is not the only person with this "strategy" in mind. People, people, people! Hillary Clinton has moved on! When will you? Election day is steadily approaching and the choices we make on that day stand to affect this country for at least the next 4 years. Make wise choices and vote for someone that is ACTUALLY a Presidential candidate!  

Like Liz Phair said, "Don't have time for all your problems? Why don't you solve them?"

Whatever problems you may have with Barack Obama, solve them before November 4th and VOTE SMART AND FROM THE HEART!!! 

I'm really hurting...This economy has kicked me hard today, and yesterday, and last week! Hopefully that saying, "There's nowhere to go but UP from here" is true.

Sorry, folks...I had to get that off my chest. However, reading and literature lives on.

Today I would like to draw attention to a series of books geared towards elementary and middle school readers. It's called "Captain Underpants" by Dav Pilkey. While working in the library as a Media Assistant, (Trying to make ends meet), I came across this wonderful series.

This series is centered around two 4th graders, Harold and George, who have "accidentally" hypnotized their principal, Mr. Benny Krupp, to be "Captain Underpants". The story follows them while they make mischief and pull pranks on the entire student body and their administrators. For example, before an assembly, George and Harold create a super-sticky solution made from glue and orange juice and apply it to everyone's seat except their own, of course. At first, the entire auditorium explodes with laughter, but it abruptly stops when they realize the joke is on THEM. That's when Harold and George make a run for it!!!!!

These books are full of pranks, jokes, stunts, tricks, and fun! Before I knew it, I was half way through this novel within the first hour. I can't wait until tomorrow to finish reading "Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets". Be sure to pick up a copy for yourself and your children. It'll be loads of fun for the entire family!

Until then, it's back to fighting the economy's storm and STRONGLY SUPPORTING OBAMA/BIDEN '08!!!

The Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Jacksonville, Florida Beauty Institutes invite you to attend their graduation ceremony held at Tampa's Hyatt Regency Hotel on Sunday, October 19th, 2008 from 4pm to 5:30pm.

There will also be a hair and fashion showcase, "Hair and Fashion Assassins 2008", held the same evening from 6pm to 8pm at the Hyatt.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. There will also be door prizes. Please support these young entrepreneurs in their quest for success, achievement, and stardom!!!!!

For more information, please visit the Tampa Bay Beauty Institute located at 5014 E. Busch Blvd./ Tampa, FL 33617. Tickets for the graduation ceremony/ hair & fashion showcase can also be purchased at this location.

You can also call (813) 514-9100, (904) 768-9001, or (407) 373-0011.

The Hyatt Regency Hotel is located at 211 N. Tampa St./ Tampa, FL 33602.

Website: http://www.orlandobeautyinstitute.com

Special thanks go out to Toby Scott of www.dubplusone.biz, Cynthia Chipp, William Alexander, Rachel Campbell, Heather Stewart, and Fedna Morency!!!

You helped to make my Book Signing a great event!

Photos will be available at: http://www.coalmindpublications.com

Author Latrice Scott of Coal Mind Publications, LLC will reveal her first novel, "Hit or Miss". The book signing will take place in Tampa, Florida at Temple Terrace Patio Homes' Clubhouse on August 16th, 2008 from 5pm to 8pm. For more information, please email: lscott@coalmindpublications.com.

Published By: www.coalmindpublications.com

Here is a listing of the TOP TEN BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS. These are just a few summer reading ideas for teenagers! 

1) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie

2) A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

3) Before I Die by Jenny Downham

4) Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath by Stephanie Hemphill

5) Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

6) Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

7) Tamar: A Novel of Espionage, Passion, and Betrayal by Mal Peet

8) American Shaolin: Flying Kids, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in the New China by Matthew Polly

9) The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel by Brian Selznick

10) The Arrival by Shaun Tan

For more information, visit www.ala.org (American Library Association)

Posted by: www.coalmindpublications.com

    THE BEGINNING...
    Three loud bells sounded just as Keyerra took her seat in Mr. Jacobs homeroom class.
She instantly felt a nudge on her shoulder as her teacher proceeded to close and lock the door.
    "What took you so long?"Dahlia whispered low enough to ensure their privacy.
    "I was on the phone," Keyerra answered, not wanting to go further into detail.
    "With my old ass brother again?"
    "Why you gotta say it like that?"
    "Because what ya'll doing is against the law."
    "And what exactly is it that you think we're doing?"
    "Having sex. What else he gon' want you for?"
    "How the fuck you say some shit like that to your best friend?"
    "I just don't want my brother ending up in jail for messin' around with you!"
    "Again another fucked up thing to say to your best friend."
    "A true best friend don't sit back and watch while they girl make the biggest mistake of her life."
    "If that's the case, loving your brother is a mistake I'm willing to make."
    "Love? Love?" Dahlia raised her voice as fire flashed in her eyes.
    "Excuse me Ms. Carter and Ms. Gonzalez, but do you have something to share with the entire class?" 
    Mr. Jacobs boisterous voice interrupted their heated discussion.
    "No, sir. I'm done." Dahlia answered.
    "So am I, " Keyerra retorted.
    The dismissal bell rang shortly and Keyerra rushed out of the door and into the
nearest bathroom. Dahlia ranto catch up with her but couldn't see where she had gone.
Meanwhile, Keyerra had burst into tears as she leaned against a locked stall. The things Dahlia
had said hit close to home and gave her more anxiety about her involvement with Manny.
She dialed his number hoping for guidance and love.
    "Hey baby. What's up?" Manny cooed.
    "Keyerra smiled having gotten exactly what she needed.
    "I'm scared that I might lose you, Manny," her voice filled with emotion.
    "What got you thinking lime that?" concerned that she was so upset.
    "Dahlia. She started that shit early this morning talking 'bout we breaking the law and how she
don't want you to catch a case because of me."
    "You know how Dahli is. She want the best for her big brother."
    "Whether she know it or not, what she said hurt my feelings."
    "Dahli with you?" ready to straighten her.
    "No. I was so hurt that I ran off without her. I really don't want to be here no more. Can you
come get me?"
    "Sweetie, I want you to get your education. I'm not tryna be a bad influence on you. I do
want your mom to like me someday."
    "But this is different. Manny please. I need to see you."
    "I'll be there in a few."

FOR MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO CONTINUE READING, email me at: lscott@coalmindpublications.com

www.coalmindpublications.com

As a big fan of the VH1 series "Miss Rap Supreme, I have started to think more in-depth about the rap and hip-hop industry. After numerous searches on the origin of rap, I was unable to find many real sources that chronicled the historical content of the rap genre. The subculture of "Hip Hop" was the constant overlay in my search results. Are "Rap" and "Hip Hop" one in the same? If not, which came into existence first? If so, why is Rap and Hip Hop often classified under two different genres of music? What artists are classified as "rap artists" or "hip hop artists" and why? Does the level of skill as an MC play a part in this classification?
 
I intend to dig deep to find the answers to all of these questiopns and more. With your insight and input, I am positive that we can begin to chronicle of the history of rap. This article is the first in a series entitled, "The Rap Chronicles". This week's series will attempt to find the difference, if any, betweeb rap and hip hop.    

Question 1) ARE "RAP" AND "HIP HOP" ONE IN THE SAME?

According to Wikipedia, Hip Hop is a subculture which is said to have begun with the work of DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, ans Afrika Bambaataa. The four main aspects, or "elements", of hip hop culture are MCing/rapping, DJing, urban inspired art/tagging or graffiti, and b-boying/breakdancing.      

Clive Campbell A.K.A. DJ Kool Herc was born on April 16, 1955 in Jamaica. He is credited as originating hip hop music in The Bronx, New York. His playing of hard funk records of the sort typified by James Brown was an alternative both to the violent gang culture of the Bronx and to the nascent popularity of disco in the 1970s. In response to the reactions of his dancers in 1972, Campbell began to isolate the instrumental portion of the record which emphasized the drum beat-the break-and switch from one break to another to yet another.            

Using the two turntable set-up of the disco DJs, Campbell's style led to the use of two copies of the same record to elongate the break. This breakbeat DJing, using hard funk, rock, and records with Latin percussion, formed the basis of hip hop music. Campbells announcements and exhortations to dancers would lead to the syncopated, rhymed spoken accompaniment we now know as rapping. He dubbed his dancers break-boys and break-girls, or simply b-boys and b-girls. Campbell's DJ style was quickly taken up by figures such as Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash. Unlike them, he never made the move into commercially recorded hip hop in its earliest years.

Visit the website below to view a chart which outlines the difference between Rap and Hip Hop. (Source: http://www.cyfm.net/article.php?article=FAQS_hip_hop_1.html.

Overall, Hip Hop is a culture that was created in response to Rap music. What do you think?

**SEASON FINALE OF "MISS RAP SUPREME" AIRS ON MON., JUNE 9TH, 2008 AT 9PM ON VH1.**