Rating: 
Summary: More Like Fast Girl.
Review: I read "Do Right Man" and I really did not like it, so when my bookclub chose this one I was not excited about reading it. I have to admit that it caught my attention. About 10 years ago I could relate to this book on my level, but now that I have children, I see where Tracy's mother went wrong. Omar was on the money with the music, trends and fashions for the 80's! However, from the beginning Tracy had too much attitude and freedom. Unfortunately she was a product of a single parent family and that tends to cause more problems in itself. The book kept my attention and I routed for Tracy to see some the character for what they were worth. She finally caught on when she saw the demise of her friend, Mercedes. Sometimes it takes a shock to get us on the right track. Anyway, this was a decent book and Omar Tyree did a good job writing this book from a young girls perspective. It is not easy for a man to see things through the eyes of a young adolescent female. Hats off to you Mr. Tyree.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable read
Review: This book is like the "Coffe will make you Black" for the 80's. It took me back to gold chains and earrings, and girls named "Mercedes". This book will remind you of basement parties and hanging out at the mall, and watching guys play basketball at your neighborhood park. The most impressive thing about this book was that it was written by a man. Omar Tyree shows surprising insight on what it's like to grow up as a girl, when there were images of sex and materialism all around you, while you're just trying to make it among your peers but still cling to being yourself. As Tracy (the main character) grows up, I was right there with her. She reminded me of the girls I used to hate when I was in school (she's the epitome of the light-skinned black beauty), yet I was rooting for her throughtout the story. Definately read this book, particularly if you like April Sinclair and Terri McMillan.
Rating: 
Summary: Tracy
Review: I read this book two years ago and I really enjoyed it, it talks about the life of Tracy Ellison, from her parents and personal relationships and also friendships. though tracy was smart and attractive there was a point were she got TOO GROWN, and had to learn her lessons. but nevertheless I thought it was a good book.
Rating:
Summary: Now I want to be Flyy
Review: When I first picked up this book and did some research on the author, Omar Tyree, I was a bit untrsuting of exactly what the book had in store. I've read books written by older people about teens and have always seen the point of view as untrustworthy, but once I began reading, "Flyy Girl" I couldn't stop and I am happy about it. In some ways this book reminds me of some of the recent literature and and films out there, such as "Election", tales that are about teens but are really for adults. Looking back on the over four hundred page saga of the Flyy Girl, this book has something to offer adults who may have lived through the 80s, and kids who may need a wake-up call.
The novel chronicles the life of Tracy Ellison, a young, intelligent, attractive and occassionally destructive woman who lives in Germantown PA with her mother. It begins at her sixth birthday. Now, I would say that this is superflous writing, but this serves a purpose: Mom and Dad are becoming legally seperated, Tracy's idol Mercades (the next door neighbor's daughter) is smoking, having sex and making destructive decisions about her life, and her best friend Raheema suffers along with her. the point of view that Tyree choose is important: it gives the readers a chance to see Tracy's world from a detached view, perhaps to explain her behavior in her later years.
As we see, Tracy grows up to be a popular, classy teen. Her father moves out of the house and becomes estranged, and she looks for other role models to fufill a father figure. her mother is going crazy and wants her husband to come home, so that they can become a family and unfortunately misses the notes that her daughter may not be in the best position possible.
Does Tracy also travel down a horrendous path? Will her mother and father get back together? And what about all those boys? Flyy Girl will have to answer those questions, it would be dishonorable to give all that away. What I did admire from Tyree's writing was the vast plane of characters it does introduce.
Throughout her high school years, Tracy meets Travis, a pothead, and Bob, an attractive boy who is damaging his looks by using drugs. Victor, a playboy, and Bruce, a hapless senior who can't seem to get laid. Raheema is still in the picture, along with Tracy's other friends, Carmen and Chantel. None of the characters are more virtuous than the others. Despite their different actions they are on the same moral plane. And their experiences lead them to realizations that propel them foward to healthy adulthood. Some learn it sooner than others, but it is still a possibility that is reachable for them.
The characters also have a freshness to them that's easy to relate to. Tracy fears her mom, and wishes her dad would come home, but at the same time she loves her parents and needs them. Bruce's losing battle was even felt by me. It wasn't so much that he couldn't have sex, but that he failed at something that he placed so much effort into. And Raheema's falling on hard times, and being the outsider of a group, all has a realistic feel that I think many novels these days miss. These kids learn from their relationships, and the problems which were presented from their home life, do carry over into their high school lives. This is true to life.
Parts of Flyy Girl are left tangled and messy, and one chapter can jump to the other without feeling complete. But that is also true to life, and it doesn't fall under any conventions. One conventions that I thought would happen in my first reading is the case of Bruce and Raheema. At first I believed Raheema would find true love and live happily ever after, but that isn't what happens. Along with the social climate of the 80s, Tyree puts a great amount of consideration into this piece and doesn't compromise a happy ending just to make all stories sound complete.
And I must give away one detail- the book does have a happy ending. Not the Hollywood ending but one that is bittersweet and filled with triuphm, because the readers know how much work it took for many of the characters to reach adulthood. Tyree does a good job with also displaying the Black community in a positive light. Sure, the characters may have problems but they do resolve them in mature fashions, and take time to evaluate their decisions. The book could've been about impoverished youth who only succumb to gangs and sex, but the book is smarter than that. It shows that there is hope and these kids like others have problems, and solve them in effective ways.
at times we get into the heads of the characters, at times we see crackhouses and houseparties. it's colorful and crazy, youthful, and kind of sad. and i know because tyree finds a way to accomplish all of this that this book will be an instant classic, and he will go down with judy blume as an architect of t he adolescent spirit. this book is a message to those who are struggling with adolescence, those who ignore their children, a delightful fable and a look into parents and children, families, sociology, and the triumph of the spirit. no, this book does not hate anybody, or blame one specific source. it loves its teenagers, and is a love letter to all youth, no matter what decade you grew up in. it never caves in, never kills the spirit, and for that, is a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: this book shows what happens to the young "cool" kids later
Review: Flyy Girl was truly a great book concerning young black girls of our generation. I think that it is truly tragic how our young black women see images and think their own way about the world and fall into the trap of becoming a weak promiscuous young lady. Tracy and Mercedes showed what can come out of living a life of a "young whore." I also feel that another reason why I enjoyed this was book because it was really well written.Did anyone read the original Flyy Girl? I have and the last chapter of the older version of the book ended with Tracy coming back from Atlantic City with Cash. I never knew she went to college and made it into her young adult years! I guess this means that I will have to buy the newer addition! (and in the older version of Flyy Girl, the picture of Tracy was really pretty). Please feel free to send all comments to me!!!
Rating:
Summary: On the fence...
Review: I give this book 4 stars b/c it kept me interested, but this is just not my type of book. I was in either middle or high school when I read this, and this was the book that everyone was talking about.I just can't get with stories like this. I prefer more cleverly written stories than this one. It is an interesting read though. I also read For the Love of Money and feel the same way. I just think these books have a certain predictability to them. You might like it.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible
Review: I thought this book was terrible. Tyree rambles way too much. He explored the minds of minor characters and it was just plain boring. I was very disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting
Review: An interesting book. Captivating if you are looking for a less complicaed novel. I would have liked it to have gone into more detail about Raheema as she was a character, opposite of Tracey and a little more complex, who could have been a refreshing break from the self-centered narrative into Tracey's daily adventures. Overall, a pretty solid book.
Rating:
Summary: Tha Flyyest Book
Review: This book was good at first I thought it was about some make believe girl that live her life in the high class. But when I read the book it was just like alot of young girls life right now. I like the whole book I really dont have a favorite part. I cant wait until Flyy Girl Return comes out because I will be the first one to buy it .
Love ya
terkessia
P.s. thanks for good book that make me extend my mind.
Rating:
Summary: a book you can't put down
Review: The book Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree is a good book. I like the book because it is very interesting to read. When I first heard about the book I thought it was going to be good at the beginning and boring at the end. When I started reading it, I got a feeling that it was going to be real good all thew way through. I think Omar Tyree is good writer and author.
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