On the other hand, consider The House on Lily Street, much of which is set in the black neighborhoods of Oakland. It is, to be sure, an illusion-free portrait, but one of the characters is a young black girl, who is quite irresistible and anything but a stereotype.

Haven't read it? There are four copies being offered on the Advanced Book Exchange for anywhere from $125 to $195--or you can wait for the VIE.

Steve