Street is a tough, gritty, honest look at the mean streets of NYC in the 1970s. Sharp detail keeps this book moving at a good pace, mixing action with pathos.

—Dale T Phillips, novelist, poet, short story writer

A thought-provoking coming-of-age novel imbued with psychological dimensions…Its blend of gritty realism and psychological depth makes it a recommendable choice for readers seeking a coming-of-age novel that navigates the challenging journey from adolescence to maturity amidst a backdrop of urban hardship and complexity.

—Literary Titan

Street is a powerfully written drama that follows Johnny Alvarez as he negotiates a life of crime, drug addiction, and social disturbance. Metcalfe’s brilliantly orchestrated tale has a memorable and enlightening storyline that is packed with riveting drama and raw emotion…stark and pertinent observations of the mean streets of 70s New York pack a mighty punch.

—Booklife

The setting is perfectly on point, with all of the locations being totally accurate, unlike a lot of books. They even specifically mention different branches of the YMCA. The era is captured well too.

—KB

The way the author “describes” (the word doesn’t do it justice) every single character and the locations and the combination of intense fear, humor, thrill, emotion, and love is mind-blowing. When I’m reading, all my senses are hyper stimulated. I can hear their music, smell the city, see each character as if I were sitting on a bench right near them.

—Wendy M. Banks

Readers will be drawn in and caught up in concern, amazement, and eagerness to see what happens next. I highly recommend this book to anyone brave enough to want to glimpse a snippet of the life that many of our youth endure.

—Jan

I am an avid reader, and this was hands down one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time. It is funny, sharp, and touching. I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up until 1:00 in the morning to finish it, then had to pour myself a whiskey to come down from the high. Amazing amazing book. A must read for all humans.

—Georgios Vlachojannis

A. D. Metcalfe’s pedigree makes her particularly qualified to tell the <em>Street </em>story. The book sheds light on the backgrounds, motivations and aspirations of a segment of the American population that we all think we know about but yet are hidden in plain sight. Johnny and friends are placed in a slowly revolving drama of drug dealing, extortion, shootings, love, gang/crew intrigue. In many ways, it is a straightforward down-these-mean-streets story.

—Terry Williams, PhD, author of The Cocaine Kids, Con Men: Hustling in New York City, and The Soft City: Sex for Business and Pleasure in New York City

Street takes place in 1970s New York City but is relevant even now. Themes include surviving on the streets, crime, drug dealing, runaway kids, gangs, and the social ills of a society filled with problems and neglect. The author has taken a sensitive subject that society tries hard to bury and written about it with great sensitivity, humor, dignity, and more. Violence is ever-present throughout life but, in this book, even more so because of the innocence involved. The story will stay with readers long after the book has been placed back on the shelf, leaving them wondering how this kind of thing could actually happen in today’s society. It was a privilege to read this outstanding and eye-opening story.

—Readers’ Favorite

Within moments, I was totally enthralled by the characters, the setting in 1970s New York City, the tone, and the way the author pulls the reader in. This book has it all—plot, characters, and a meaningful storyline. It is obvious that Alyssa D. Metcalfe has stories to tell and readers who will be waiting for her next books.

—Maxine Gordon, author of Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon