The Street is a novel published in 1946 by African-American writer Ann Petry. Set in World War II era Harlem, Petry's novel is a commentary on the social injustices that confront her character, Lutie Johnson, as a single Black mother during this period. Lutie is confronted by racism, sexism, and classism on a daily basis in her pursuit of the American dream for herself and her son, Bub. Lutie fully subscribes to the belief that if she follows the adages of Benjamin Franklin by working hard and saving wisely, she will be able to achieve the dream of being financially independent and move from the tenement in which she lives on 116th Street. Junto, a local businessman, manipulates Lutie so he can make her his lover, ultimately leading her to murder his henchman, Boots. The Street was an instant bestseller. It is the first novel by an African-American woman to sell more than a million copies. Source: Wikipedia (en)