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The article examines the literacy of the teenage street literature readers in the inner cities in the U.S. It explores how street literature authors portray the daily lives of those who lack education and employment, and argues that people excluded from the inner-city American life face difficulties in accepting that the street literature genre can parallel the realities faced by many Americans. It also describes the benefits derived by teen urban readers from the themes and plots of street literature, and offers a list of authors who are popular to inner-city teen readers including Lenora Adams, Coe Booth and Paul Langan.

The article focuses on the flying off young adults fiction bookshelves in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania public libraries. It traces the cultural origins of street literature emerging genre, defines it in detail, and explores why inner-city teenagers at one branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia are passionate about reading it. The authors stress that even though the stories offer little hope for a better life, street literature console the frightened and confused souls of African American teenagers essaying confirmation and validation of their lives, as well as legitimization of inner-city culture. Through urban fiction, they have become indued to employ the library, and thus street literature has reignited the vitality of the urban neighborhood library.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including teenage library advocates, literacy of the teen street literature reader and the need for libraries to connect with teenagers with community service opportunities.