Homeless teen Tyrell uses his limited options to keep his family together after they are evicted from their apartment in the Bronx. The African American teen’s father is in prison, while his mother makes questionable choices, such as keeping Ty’s younger brother, Troy, in special education in order to receive more government money. Ty’s girlfriend, Novisha, goes to a private Catholic school, and seems to have the kind of life to which Ty can only aspire. Their relationship gives Ty hope, but when he meets a Puerto Rican girl in a temporary shelter who is also trying to hold things together, he feels himself drawn to her. Balancing his love interests is secondary, however, to earning enough money to get his family back in a proper home. Ty admirably rejects the quick fix of the drug culture as a source of income. Instead, he turns to his DJ skills, borrowing his dad’s equipment and breaking into an empty building to throw a party. In this first novel, Coe Booth creates a detailed setting and characters that are wholly believable, their raw, authentic language and dialogue coming straight from the streets. The Bronx itself is a distinct character—as tough and relentless and determined as Ty. (Age 14 and older)

An astonishing new voice in teen literature, writing what is sure to be one of the most talked-about debuts of the year.Tyrell is a young African-American teen who can't get a break. He's living (for now) with his spaced-out mother and little brother in a homeless shelter. His father's in jail. His girlfriend supports him, but he doesn't feel good enough for her -- and seems to be always on the verge of doing the wrong thing around her. There's another girl at the homeless shelter who is also after him, although the desires there are complicated. Tyrell feels he needs to score some money to make things better. Will he end up following in his father's footsteps?