What do you think?
Rate this book
Harlem Girl Lost #1
Harlem Girl Lost
“A true urban novel filled with vivid images of the street.”
–Black Issues Book Review
Treasure E. Blue, street lit’s hottest newcomer, crafts characters that fly off the page and a story that burns with intensity. Set in Harlem, this searing novel is a poignant and gritty portrait of urban survival of the ghetto’s fittest . . . and most fierce.
Silver Jones knows just how cruel life can be. Her mother was chewed up and spit out by its dark side–brutally murdered while turning a trick. Rather than live with her abusive grandmother, Silver runs away.
Determined to escape the mean streets, Silver longs for an education. But after running into an old friend, a homeless youth named Chance whom she’d taken under her wing once upon a time, Silver puts her dreams of college on hold. Chance is grown now–and he’s a powerful drug overlord. But underneath the cool exterior is the same innocent boy Silver once loved.
As they begin an affair, Silver tries to convince Chance to give up the lethal way of life that ruined both their childhoods. But Chance knows that walking away from the game means having to pay a deadly price. Silver won’t take no for an answer–even if it means delving into a seedy underworld and outscheming some of its most vicious drug-dealers and cold-blooded murderers.
“Even in Blue’s world of double-crossing, misogyny, drugs and brutality, an against-all-odds fairy tale can come true.”
–Publishers Weekly
–Black Issues Book Review
Treasure E. Blue, street lit’s hottest newcomer, crafts characters that fly off the page and a story that burns with intensity. Set in Harlem, this searing novel is a poignant and gritty portrait of urban survival of the ghetto’s fittest . . . and most fierce.
Silver Jones knows just how cruel life can be. Her mother was chewed up and spit out by its dark side–brutally murdered while turning a trick. Rather than live with her abusive grandmother, Silver runs away.
Determined to escape the mean streets, Silver longs for an education. But after running into an old friend, a homeless youth named Chance whom she’d taken under her wing once upon a time, Silver puts her dreams of college on hold. Chance is grown now–and he’s a powerful drug overlord. But underneath the cool exterior is the same innocent boy Silver once loved.
As they begin an affair, Silver tries to convince Chance to give up the lethal way of life that ruined both their childhoods. But Chance knows that walking away from the game means having to pay a deadly price. Silver won’t take no for an answer–even if it means delving into a seedy underworld and outscheming some of its most vicious drug-dealers and cold-blooded murderers.
“Even in Blue’s world of double-crossing, misogyny, drugs and brutality, an against-all-odds fairy tale can come true.”
–Publishers Weekly
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
62 people are currently reading
1339 people want to read
About the author
Treasure E. Blue
10 books97 followersTreasure E. Blue was born and raised in Harlem. He formerly worked with the New York Fire department as a supervising fire inspector in the Bronx. He now devotes himself full-time to writing and promoting his novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 18, 2022
I loved the character development and story line.
Everything about this book spells adventure. From the very first chapters of the book you find yourself rooting for Silver and Chance without knowing their full story. I loved the background stories told about Silver's mother and Birdie. I believe there was a sequel to this, I would love to read it.
Everything about this book spells adventure. From the very first chapters of the book you find yourself rooting for Silver and Chance without knowing their full story. I loved the background stories told about Silver's mother and Birdie. I believe there was a sequel to this, I would love to read it.
October 18, 2009
OMG!!!!!! I love love this book . This book is so crazy good. This book is about a girl named Silver whos mother was hoe and who got raped at a party. The mother got pregnant with Silver and never told her who her father was. The reason she named her Silver was because of her hazel eyes. Her mother always walked her to school and there would be a homeless man with sunglasses on that told Silver compliments. She would soon find out that was her father right before his death. Her mother wanted to come out of the hoe business and finally be a good mother but one day a man came driving up to her and ask her if she was still in the game and she said no but he offered her a large amount of money and she went with him. She soon found out that was the last day she would live because while she was performing on him, he stabbed her in the back and skined her in the bathtub. Those are just some of the crazy events that happened in the book, you have to pick it up to find out more. I would definitely recommend this to a friend. This book shows the difficulties of living in the hood when you want to get out. From this book, I learned not to trust anyone but yourself and that things will happen when the time is right, patience.
May 18, 2017
I feel like I've read some of this story before. I'm just not sure where from. Auntie birdie is one character I just couldn't forget!
I like that this story differs from most hood books in which the main character is an educated and driven young woman who has a bright future rather than chasing fast money or fast men. Silver learned about the consequences of living in the fast lane from her mother up close and personal. She was even able to deter the love of her life, chance, from living in the fast lane. This was a great read!
I like that this story differs from most hood books in which the main character is an educated and driven young woman who has a bright future rather than chasing fast money or fast men. Silver learned about the consequences of living in the fast lane from her mother up close and personal. She was even able to deter the love of her life, chance, from living in the fast lane. This was a great read!
February 21, 2019
Beautiful
It was a very sad but good story. I cried most of this book. I could relate to everything Silver went through. It’s a must read. No spoilers will be given from me!
It was a very sad but good story. I cried most of this book. I could relate to everything Silver went through. It’s a must read. No spoilers will be given from me!
January 26, 2011
Secrets of Life
Silver Jones was equally educated in the streets as well as school. Her mother Jessica, a prostitute, made it her business to insure that Silver was equipped with book smarts as well as street smarts in order to prevent being caught off guard like she had been.
Chance was a throw away kid. Not even the teachers seemed to care about him. It was that reason that Silver gravitated towards him. Fast friends, Silver and Chance share details of their imperfect worlds. Soon the two are inseparable, vowing to always be together.
Unfortunately for Silver, her life has taken another chaotic turn. Struggling to survive on the streets, Silver and Chance are reconnected. Is this finally their season for love?
A drug dealer, Chance has grown. Unfortunately for Silver, it isn’t into the man that she knows he could be. Heartbroken, Silver heads off to Spelman College in hopes of never returning to New York, NY, again. Is this the end of their romance?
‘Harlem Girl Lost’ by Treasure E. Blue is a for real hood fairytale. I’ve had this book on my shelf for so long it just never seemed like I had time to read it. A good story, I love how the couple grew and how Treasure introduces the characters and brings the story all the way home. Disappointing was the editing; missing words and wrong tense used repeatedly. While infuriating, it didn’t affect the story. Even with that said, I was impressed with the passion and dedication and the value of the overall message.
Silver Jones was equally educated in the streets as well as school. Her mother Jessica, a prostitute, made it her business to insure that Silver was equipped with book smarts as well as street smarts in order to prevent being caught off guard like she had been.
Chance was a throw away kid. Not even the teachers seemed to care about him. It was that reason that Silver gravitated towards him. Fast friends, Silver and Chance share details of their imperfect worlds. Soon the two are inseparable, vowing to always be together.
Unfortunately for Silver, her life has taken another chaotic turn. Struggling to survive on the streets, Silver and Chance are reconnected. Is this finally their season for love?
A drug dealer, Chance has grown. Unfortunately for Silver, it isn’t into the man that she knows he could be. Heartbroken, Silver heads off to Spelman College in hopes of never returning to New York, NY, again. Is this the end of their romance?
‘Harlem Girl Lost’ by Treasure E. Blue is a for real hood fairytale. I’ve had this book on my shelf for so long it just never seemed like I had time to read it. A good story, I love how the couple grew and how Treasure introduces the characters and brings the story all the way home. Disappointing was the editing; missing words and wrong tense used repeatedly. While infuriating, it didn’t affect the story. Even with that said, I was impressed with the passion and dedication and the value of the overall message.
October 6, 2011
In love with these characters!
A realistic journey into the lives of Silver Jones and her mother Jessie, whom preached the best of life’s lessons to her daughter hoping to steer her onto the right path, but yet Jessie had a hard time following her own wise words.
Demons have been haunting Jessie for some time now and she swings like a pendulum from one end to the next; sometimes loving mother other times drug dependent prostitute.
In the midst of abuse, brutality, and addiction, Silver manages to hold on to her dream of leaving the ghetto and becoming a doctor. Along her journey she finds friendship, passion and heartache. But what she has to endure to make her dream a reality is the core of this story…
Set in the heart of Harlem, welcome to Silver’s world.
A deep story, expertly written with all the ingredients that make this a five star read!!
Don’t sleep on this talented author!
Locksie October 6th 2011
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating 5.0*****
A realistic journey into the lives of Silver Jones and her mother Jessie, whom preached the best of life’s lessons to her daughter hoping to steer her onto the right path, but yet Jessie had a hard time following her own wise words.
Demons have been haunting Jessie for some time now and she swings like a pendulum from one end to the next; sometimes loving mother other times drug dependent prostitute.
In the midst of abuse, brutality, and addiction, Silver manages to hold on to her dream of leaving the ghetto and becoming a doctor. Along her journey she finds friendship, passion and heartache. But what she has to endure to make her dream a reality is the core of this story…
Set in the heart of Harlem, welcome to Silver’s world.
A deep story, expertly written with all the ingredients that make this a five star read!!
Don’t sleep on this talented author!
Locksie October 6th 2011
ARC Book Club Inc.
Star Rating 5.0*****
October 31, 2015
I LOVED THIS BOOK IT WAS AN INSTANT SUCCESS FOR ME. FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE ENDING I CRIED, LAUGHED, GOT MAD, THEN CRIED AGAIN.This book is an awesome read. I get excited when I think about what I can say about this book. Treasure E. Blue has been gracious enough to pen a novel that touches you deep down in your soul. And just when you think that you have dealt with one emotion, here comes another line that sucker punches your emotions, again. This book, is a love story that has all the drama of an urban hood story. How true to life this story is. Treasure I loved your book. I recommend this book to any one, it is one that you will want in your library. I must say that I thought one character was the lost Harlem girl, but by the end I realized that it was actually another character, who found out that she was no longer lost. I must leave you, the reader with this, what are you still reading these reviews for? Go out and get this book, so you can write a review, right now!
January 2, 2009
Surviving In Harlem
Jesse is a young woman working the streets and raising her young daughter Silver. Silver is wise beyond her years because her mother has taught her about the struggles of being a drug addict and prostitute vowing not to hide this part of her life from her.
Silver finds that she is homeless after the lost of her mom. Harlem Girl Lost shows the struggles and heartbreak of a young girl that is trying to make it on her own dependent of lessons she was taught by her mother.
Chance is a friend that she met in grammar school. They become better acquainted as they learn that their backgrounds are somewhat similar. Silver discovers the true depths of Chance's friendship.
Harlem Girl Lost made for very good reading and it's a book filled with lessons that can easily be incorporated into other's lives.
Reviewed by: Carmen
Jesse is a young woman working the streets and raising her young daughter Silver. Silver is wise beyond her years because her mother has taught her about the struggles of being a drug addict and prostitute vowing not to hide this part of her life from her.
Silver finds that she is homeless after the lost of her mom. Harlem Girl Lost shows the struggles and heartbreak of a young girl that is trying to make it on her own dependent of lessons she was taught by her mother.
Chance is a friend that she met in grammar school. They become better acquainted as they learn that their backgrounds are somewhat similar. Silver discovers the true depths of Chance's friendship.
Harlem Girl Lost made for very good reading and it's a book filled with lessons that can easily be incorporated into other's lives.
Reviewed by: Carmen
October 22, 2012
Every time there is a post in the Facebook book clubs asking who is your favorite author...I keep seeing the name Treasure Blue. Now I understand why. Harlem Girl Lost was downloaded to my kindle yesterday and finished this morning. The story gripped me and my emotions so tightly that I couldn't exhale until I was done. Treasure has a way of telling the story that gets you so involved that you feel as if you are there. Imagine growing up with a drug addicted prostitute mother, a grandmother who hates you and a father who isn't there...I'm blessed that it wasn't my life but Treasure told the story so vividly that I could feel Silver's pain. I don't like giving away the story in my reviews but I will say that this book is a heartfelt, powerfully written, urban tale that will be a classic for years to come. Thank you Treasure for sharing your gift.
January 5, 2025
Re read on January 4th 2025
Lmaoo re reading this book had me in tears. The dialogue, the problematic descriptions, the plot lol - a true 90s/00s Urban Fiction throwback. Although my palette has changed drastically from my first time reading this book (and this era of books in general), I did enjoy rereading it for what it was. A classic hood book !
This is one of my favorite books ever! When I think about a story that has kept me engulfed, rooting for the characters (and intrigued by the complexity of each), and visualizing the story in my mind, I come back to this book.
I read this book for the first time at 14/15 years old (probably a bit too young lol) and at 30, I still remember how it made me feel. I couldn’t put it down.
Definitely recommend reading it.
Lmaoo re reading this book had me in tears. The dialogue, the problematic descriptions, the plot lol - a true 90s/00s Urban Fiction throwback. Although my palette has changed drastically from my first time reading this book (and this era of books in general), I did enjoy rereading it for what it was. A classic hood book !
This is one of my favorite books ever! When I think about a story that has kept me engulfed, rooting for the characters (and intrigued by the complexity of each), and visualizing the story in my mind, I come back to this book.
I read this book for the first time at 14/15 years old (probably a bit too young lol) and at 30, I still remember how it made me feel. I couldn’t put it down.
Definitely recommend reading it.
January 15, 2015
I know I'm seriously late reading this book. I love how each character was molded to play a strong role in each chapter. The book was alway written fairly well. I took something from this book and it wasn't just your average Urban Fiction drug dealer, baby mama drama book. The message that he gave to the readers of his novel was life changing. I loved it, but was not crazy about it.
September 6, 2012
First book i read of Treasure E. Blue. Very good book. It started with this and now i read almost all of his books.
January 4, 2015
Popeye the Sailor Man : Utmost respect--how this book was webbed together--would of never guessed Mitts & Stickbroom. A Must Read !!
June 28, 2019
CERTIFIED CLASSIC!!
December 17, 2020
A Good Book.
This book was good. It dealt with drugs, prostitution, murder lost souls, friendship, love and healing. The author did a good job dealing with a broken mother grandmother relationship. Chance and Silver first started out as friends and he wanted the best for her. Their love was incredible and withstood the foods of time. Their crew of Chubby, Beasley and Diego stood together to the end. Hollis was a jealous murderer who got his in the end. I loved the way the book ended. The grandmother got a second chance, Silver found a new family and sadly enough Missy passed away. A good read.
This book was good. It dealt with drugs, prostitution, murder lost souls, friendship, love and healing. The author did a good job dealing with a broken mother grandmother relationship. Chance and Silver first started out as friends and he wanted the best for her. Their love was incredible and withstood the foods of time. Their crew of Chubby, Beasley and Diego stood together to the end. Hollis was a jealous murderer who got his in the end. I loved the way the book ended. The grandmother got a second chance, Silver found a new family and sadly enough Missy passed away. A good read.
August 4, 2020
I absolutely LOVED this book. I loved how Silver pulled herself out of such tragic circumstances and made the best of her life. I especially loved how she managed to save Chance while still keeping her promise to her mother. And even though I feel her grandmother didn't deserve Silver's forgiveness, I did feel touched when they had a good relationship in the end. I just wished Missy didn't have to die.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2018
Book was so awesome I love how what could have been a sad broken down story ended up being a teaching experience a friendship story’s never let the environment that you grow up in be your life a story about alway strive for more never give up and do not put can’t in your vocabulary because if you can dream it you can achieve it !
July 31, 2018
Great novel, no word such word as can’t will always ring true. There are a lot of twists and turns on this roller coaster ride of a novel. Enjoyed it from the beginning to the end
I Chose the 5 star rating due to the novel having me on the edge of my seat. True page turner
I Chose the 5 star rating due to the novel having me on the edge of my seat. True page turner
September 18, 2019
Realistic
One of the most realistic books I have read. Some people have a hard life growing up. They grow up in different conditions than others and this is a perfect example of that. Amazing book!
One of the most realistic books I have read. Some people have a hard life growing up. They grow up in different conditions than others and this is a perfect example of that. Amazing book!
August 10, 2017
Harlem
A lot of violence and moves slow at first.I am sure many will enjoy. It is not a book for me.
A lot of violence and moves slow at first.I am sure many will enjoy. It is not a book for me.
December 17, 2017
Great read
Will make u cry if heart for kids with hard lives I love this book!! Amazing read try it now
Will make u cry if heart for kids with hard lives I love this book!! Amazing read try it now
March 11, 2018
love it!!!
October 23, 2020
Loved this book! It really needs to be made into a movie.
July 24, 2022
Great book.
June 26, 2023
Amazing!!!
I love this book!!! I remember reading this when I was 18 years old i’m now 28 and it’s still great I’ve never forgotten about it I’m glad I found it again.
I love this book!!! I remember reading this when I was 18 years old i’m now 28 and it’s still great I’ve never forgotten about it I’m glad I found it again.
December 12, 2016
I can't get enough of this author. Great read!
November 10, 2017
Unforgettable. I read this as a teen and still haven’t forgotten it.
October 27, 2008
Okay- I'd be lying if I said I liked this better than Keyshia And Clyde. That book blew me away for whatever reason. I could have continued reading K & C for weeks. Maybe I was expecting this to be more like that one? Not sure. I don't mean to say this isn't a good book- just the opposite. It's excellent. Treasure E. Blue is a talented man and a fantastic writer which I found out when reading K & C. I will definitely read whatever else he's written and soon.
This is the story of Silver and her life. There is a nice chunk of the story with Silver's Mother, Jessica in it which I liked a lot. (I liked Jesse's character enough to wish there was a prequel about her life before Silver!) I did also like how things were tied neatly there at the end. I know I can't really call the ending a "happy ending" like usual but it did have a rather unrealistis approach to it. I don't want to get into examples and spoil the story for anyone so I won't but the ending was just a tiny bit lacking in my opinion.
But, all in all, the characters were VERY well thought out and brought to us in such a fashion that just about anyone could relate, even someone not from Harlem, someone who doesn't associate with drug addicts and/or dealers, etc. I'd put it in the top 5 urban lit books I've read so far. :)
This is the story of Silver and her life. There is a nice chunk of the story with Silver's Mother, Jessica in it which I liked a lot. (I liked Jesse's character enough to wish there was a prequel about her life before Silver!) I did also like how things were tied neatly there at the end. I know I can't really call the ending a "happy ending" like usual but it did have a rather unrealistis approach to it. I don't want to get into examples and spoil the story for anyone so I won't but the ending was just a tiny bit lacking in my opinion.
But, all in all, the characters were VERY well thought out and brought to us in such a fashion that just about anyone could relate, even someone not from Harlem, someone who doesn't associate with drug addicts and/or dealers, etc. I'd put it in the top 5 urban lit books I've read so far. :)
November 10, 2008
Second book I read by Treasure E. Blue love this book. He mention this book in Keisha and Clyde so much that I had to get it to see what it was all about. Love how he put the characters together in this book. You just get so suprised as all teh characters come along. Sliver Jones grow up with a mom that sold her butt and was addicted to drugs. Sliver mom did the best she could to teach Sliver about life even when Sliver mom didn't totally follow those same rules. Sliver mom Jesse grow up in a house with her mom that beat her and really didn't care much about her at all.
Sliver grown foud of a sticky boy name Chance back in school but, what happens as they grow up just changes alot for the bad and good. Chance grew up living in forster homes after others running for the adults that just wanted to use him sexually.
So if you looking to read about sex, drugs and murder this books gives it all. Also suspense all in one. Great book I will totally recommend this book. I started this book November the 8 and just finished it on the 10 fast. The author kept me turning the pages.
Sliver grown foud of a sticky boy name Chance back in school but, what happens as they grow up just changes alot for the bad and good. Chance grew up living in forster homes after others running for the adults that just wanted to use him sexually.
So if you looking to read about sex, drugs and murder this books gives it all. Also suspense all in one. Great book I will totally recommend this book. I started this book November the 8 and just finished it on the 10 fast. The author kept me turning the pages.
January 25, 2013
Its been years since the last time I've read HARLEM GIRL LOST but it still had my emotions on overload.
Silver Jones is a young lady who has had it pretty bad since before she was even born. Her father denied her being his and her maternal grandmother wanted Silver's mom Jessica to get an abortion or leave. In Silver's short life she persevered in school while her mother battled an on-going drug addiction. That didn't stop Jessica from teaching Silver valuable life lessons and instilling in her the importance of an education. Despite all of this though,Silver seems to keep losing those whom she love most throughout the story in some form or another. As you are reading about her journey, you will discover that despite life's hardships, a rose has grown through the concrete and this Harlem Girl Is No Longer Lost!
This book is a classic and readers cannot go wrong with a Treasure Blue Novel :-). Going to read Get It Girls /Harlem Girl Lost 2 to see how different life could have been
Silver Jones is a young lady who has had it pretty bad since before she was even born. Her father denied her being his and her maternal grandmother wanted Silver's mom Jessica to get an abortion or leave. In Silver's short life she persevered in school while her mother battled an on-going drug addiction. That didn't stop Jessica from teaching Silver valuable life lessons and instilling in her the importance of an education. Despite all of this though,Silver seems to keep losing those whom she love most throughout the story in some form or another. As you are reading about her journey, you will discover that despite life's hardships, a rose has grown through the concrete and this Harlem Girl Is No Longer Lost!
This book is a classic and readers cannot go wrong with a Treasure Blue Novel :-). Going to read Get It Girls /Harlem Girl Lost 2 to see how different life could have been
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews