The reader gets the opportunity to follow Kiara on the cusp of turning 18. Her family situation in Oakland is awful. A tragedy occurred a few years ago that resulted in her mother going to jail. At the time, her older brother had just turned 18 and became her guardian. He's an 18 year old boy who wants to be a rapper and doesn't want to work, which means no money is coming in. So Kiara has to earn money. She has become the mother figure to the neighbor boy Trevor, whose own mother is addicted to drugs. Kiara and Trevor hustle people on the basketball court, but when that doesn't work, Kiara is forced to go to more dire measures.

This novel was so difficult but truly worth it. The picture the author paints feels so authentic and creates a tremendous amount of understanding for the reader.

Highly recommend!