Walled Cities

 I am recommending The Walled City by Ryan Graudin

This book pulled me in, and kept me interested throughout.  I enjoyed the premise, and was astounded to learn it was based on the real walled city in Hong Kong.

 In this novel 3 young kids are living in the walled city, which isn't identified as being part of Hong Kong since this isn't historical fiction.  They are all dealing with a crime boss; one is in a brothel, her sister is trying to save her, and a young boy is trying to get the crime boss arrested.  The chapters alternate via their respective points of view.

The three main characters were all interesting, though at one point I thought I was reading from one character's point of view and realized a second later it was the sister.  It seems this might be a nice tie in with Empire of Sin.  I am hoping to read that soon, and will post later if they work well together.  Perhaps students can read the YA title by Graudin, and those interested in the concept of holed off areas, can delve into Krist's non-fiction account of New Orleans. (in addition perhaps to non-fiction accounts of Hong Kong's Walled City).