Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir

Back of the Book

At fifteen, sick of her unbearable and increasingly dangerous home life, Janice Erlbaum walked out of her family’s Brooklyn apartment and didn’t look back. From her first frightening night at a shelter, Janice knew she was in over her head. She was beaten up, shaken down, and nearly stabbed by a pregnant girl. But it was still better than living at home. As Janice slipped further into street life, she nevertheless attended high school, harbored crushes, and even played the lead in the spring musical. She also roamed the streets, clubs, bars, and parks of New York City with her two best girlfriends, on the prowl for hard drugs and boys on skateboards. Together they scored coke at Danceteria, smoked angel dust in East Village squats, commiserated over their crazy mothers, and slept with one another’s boyfriends on a regular basis.

A wry, mesmerizing portrait of being underprivileged, underage, and underdressed in 1980s New York City, Girlbomb provides an unflinching look at street life, survival sex, female friendships, and first loves.

Why You Should Read It

Girlbomb is a raw and unflinchingly honest memoir that captivates readers with its fearless exploration of resilience, survival, and the complexities of adolescence. Erlbaum's narrative is both gripping and poignant as she recounts her experiences as a teenager living on the streets of New York City. What makes the book exceptional is Erlbaum's ability to infuse humor and authenticity into her storytelling, creating a narrative that resonates with readers on a profound emotional level. Beyond the gritty details of her life, Girlbomb is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of storytelling. Erlbaum's candid and compassionate approach invites readers to empathize with her journey, making the memoir not only a compelling read but also a powerful exploration of identity, survival, and the indomitable will to overcome life's challenges.

Memorable Passage

Sometimes my mother’s boyfriends overlapped a little, but sometimes there were a few delicious weeks in between them, when it was just us. We’d get up late on weekend mornings, me humming to myself over my fruit and yogurt, my mother in her bathrobe with her hair in a crown of curlers, her eyebrows not yet penciled in, smoking. “What do you want to do today, Jan?” she’d ask. “I have to stop by the office this afternoon, but we can go by the library and get you a book beforehand.” Great, super, hum hum hum. I was happy enough to sit in the anteroom of my mother’s one-woman events-planning office in Midtown, reading one of the Narnia books, listening to her droll, knowing voice on the phone with her clients, basking in her glamorous, efficient near-presence.

About the Author

Janice Erlbaum is a captivating writer known for her poignant and authentic storytelling that delves into the intricacies of the human experience. Born in 1967, Erlbaum gained recognition for her memoir Girlbomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir, in which she fearlessly recounts her teenage years living on the streets of New York City. Her narrative voice is both candid and compassionate, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the challenges of adolescence, homelessness, and resilience. Erlbaum's writing not only explores personal struggles but also resonates with universal themes of survival, identity, and the power of self-discovery. Through her work, she exemplifies the strength of the human spirit and the transformative potential of storytelling. Janice Erlbaum is worth knowing for her ability to connect with readers on a deeply emotional level, fostering empathy and understanding through her compelling and authentic narratives.

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