Welcome to the world of East Palo Alto, California. A former murder capital, it is still a very dangerous place to live. Yet many of the young voices in this volume rise above their surroundings and look toward the future. They display fierce family loyalty, love, and tenderness, and hope for a chance to fulfill their dreams.
What makes this collection even more triumphant is that students who were considered struggling readers produced this work. Despite the cruel and often shocking realities that fill these pages, the beautiful, eloquent voices that emerge here are an incredible cause for celebration.