3.5 stars.

It took me a few chapters to fall into this book, which is admittedly gritty and quite jarring. It is a good exploration of tough topics, including race, poverty, imprisonment, and drug use. This makes it an overwhelmingly sad and continuously painful story to read.

The unfortunate parentage of Jojo and Kayla is difficult to stomach--as is the attitude of Michael's parents (particularly his father) towards their own grandchildren. Thank goodness for Mam and Pop, though even their abilities are clearly limited. The relationship between Jojo and Kayla is endearing, but at the same time so heart-breaking and disturbing as it is the result of the young boy effectively having to become parent to his baby sister because of inept parenting.

I loathed Leonie for the entirety of the book. I felt no sympathy for her, wanted to slap her back into recognition of her actions and responsibilities. I just felt so bad for those children. It was a difficult read to stomach, but it was still well-written. I can't explain why I didn't like it more...it may have simply been due to my inability to connect with half of the characters based on my anger towards them and an inability to understand someone's sheer negligence and complete disregard for their own children.