Pretty Ugly

Unlike many series, one author does not write the Bluford High books. There are eight authors in total: Ben Alirez, Devan (D. M.) Blackwell, Karyn Langhorne Folan, Peggy Kern, John Langan, Paul Langan, Tonya Savory, and Anne Schraff. The series was first developed by Paul Langan, who notes on the series’ website: “The publishing world overlooked a brilliant community of young readers in America. I developed the Bluford series to correct that mistake and invite teens of color into a world of stories that were engaging, exciting, and accessible” (“Authors.” bluford.org).

Several of the authors spent their childhood years in inner-city or working-class neighborhoods. Many have worked in education or advocacy, and some use the Bluford series to advance topics of importance to them, such as bullying and loneliness or hope and redemption. Langan draws from his own experiences of “growing up without a dad, being bullied in school, and coping with the loss of a loved one” (“Authors.” bluford.org).  Many of the authors have worked their way through college, sometimes attending part-time over the course of many years. These experiences prepare them to tackle the complex and challenging lives of the Bluford High students, many of whom struggle with similar issues.