The Bluford Series


The Bluford Series is a widely read collection of contemporary American young adult novels set in the fictional inner-city high school of Bluford High in Southern California. Or West Philadelphia Bluford is named for Guion "Guy" Bluford, the first African-American astronaut. The series was created and published by and was co-distributed by Scholastic. As part of an effort to promote reading in underfunded school districts, Townsend Press originally made the Bluford Series available to schools for a dollar each. As of 2016, about 11 million Bluford Series novels were in print.

Synopsis

The Bluford Series is set in Bluford High School, the fictional school all the main characters attend. Each novel features a teenage protagonist facing difficult challenges in and out of school. Topics explored in the books include bullying, school violence, teenage pregnancy, divorce, peer pressure, and substance abuse. Despite these gritty topics, the Bluford Series has been praised widely for its engaging stories and responsible handling of difficult subject matter, earning positive reviews in Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. While each novel in the Bluford Series can be read independently, the books are interconnected and represent a span of about 2 years at Bluford high.

Reception

Reception for The Bluford Series has been positive, with the ALA picking many of the books in the series as "Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers." The ALA also selected Bluford titles as "Popular Paperbacks". Educators in many states, including Florida and New York, have noted that the series has been well received by their student population.
Of Brothers in Arms, the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy wrote that the book's themes were applicable to struggling teens." called Survivor, "a brave young-adult novel" and said the Bluford Series "offers unflinchingly honest plot situations to engage and educate readers." Similarly, called Promises to Keep, "compassionate, insightful, and educational, along with being action-packed, realistic, and emotionally and psychologically accurate." Favorable reviews for many Bluford titles can be found in . In addition, singled out the Bluford Series as "perennially popular among urban teens" and listed three Bluford titles as "Good YA Urban Novels."

Facts About The Bluford Series

No.NamePublishedAuthorPlot
1Lost and Found2002Anne SchraffDarcy Wills is the main protagonist in the first book in the series.
2A Matter of Trust2002Anne SchraffThis is a sequel to Lost and Found.
3Secrets in the Shadows2002Anne SchraffFeatures Roylin Bailey, who first appeared in A Matter of Trust.
4Someone to Love Me2002Anne SchraffFeatures Cindy Gibson from Lost and Found.
5The Bully2002Paul LanganIntroduces the characters Tyray Hobbs and Darrell Mercer.
6The Gun/Payback2002Paul LanganThe sequel to The Bully, this book is about Tyray Hobbs and Darrell Mercer.
7Until We Meet Again2002Anne SchraffSequel to A Matter of Trust with Darcy Wills and Hakeem Randall.
8Blood is Thicker2004Paul Langan and D.M. BlackwellSequel to Until We Meet Again, featuring Hakeem Randall after his move to Detroit.
9Brothers in Arms2004Paul Langan and Ben AlirezFeatures Martin Luna, a student.
10Summer of Secrets2004Paul LanganSequel to Until We Meet Again, with Darcy Wills.
11The Fallen2007Paul LanganSequel to Brothers in Arms, with Martin Luna.
12Shattered2007Paul LanganSequel to Summer of Secrets, featuring Darcy Wills.
13Search for Safety2007John LanganSearch for Safety introduces Ben McKee.
14No Way Out2009Peggy KernNo Way Out features Harold Davis from The Bully, Someone to Love Me, The Gun/Payback, and Search For Safety.
15Schooled2009Paul LanganIn this book, Lionel Shepard, a freshman, is introduced.
16Breaking Point2011Karyn Langhorne Folan and Paul LanganBreaking Point features Vicky Fallon, who was also in Brothers in Arms and The Fallen.
17The Test2011Peggy KernThe book features Liselle Mason, who appeared in Until We Meet Again.
18Pretty Ugly2011Karyn Langhorne FolanThis book follows Jamee Wills the little sister of Darcy Wills, who has appeared in many titles including Lost and Found, A Matter of Trust, Someone To Love Me, The Bully, The Gun/Payback, Until We Meet Again, Summer of Secrets, Shattered, "Search For Safety", Schooled, and The Test.
19Promises to Keep2013Paul LanganThis book follows Tyray Hobbs, a sequel to The Gun/Payback.
20Survivor2013Paul LanganThis book follows Tarah Carson, a character who has appeared in many Bluford novels like Lost and Found, A Matter Of Trust, Secrets in the Shadows, Until We Meet Again, Blood is Thicker, Summer of Secrets, Shattered and Pretty Ugly.
21Girls Like Me2016Tanya SavoryThis book explores the backstory of Angel McAllister, a character who first appears in Pretty Ugly.

Reading order of the series

Year 1

The Darcy Wills and Classmates Sequence:
  1. Lost and Found
  2. A Matter of Trust
  3. Secrets in the Shadows
  4. Until We Meet Again
  5. Blood Is Thicker
  6. Summer of Secrets
  7. Survivor
  8. Shattered
The Martin Luna Sequence:
  1. Brothers in Arms
  2. The Fallen
  3. Breaking Point

    Year 2

The Jamee Wills and Classmates Sequence:
  1. Girls Like Me
  2. Pretty Ugly
  3. Schooled
  4. Someone to Love Me
  5. The Bully
  6. The Gun
  7. Promises to Keep
  8. No Way Out
  9. Search for Safety
  10. The Test