A YA novel about an inner-city family struggling with a drug addicted son. The mother in the story makes you want to scream at her and shake her for how she is acting towards her children. In reading this to 7th graders, I was watching for reactions to how the mother was acting towards her 3 sons. I was surprised that I wasn't seeing the same reactions that I was feeling, but then again, I'm a MOM! There are a lot of great discussions that could be had with your child after reading this story including drugs, love and what that means in a family, and dreams. The way the characters spoke to eachother with an "inner city" language was at times difficult. But the novel read quickly and there was enough happening to keep you turning the pages. Unfortunately this doesn't end on a happy note, but still a good lesson to be read. ( )