Gr 5-8
This message-driven picture book for older readers is concerned with drug use and gangs. The story opens as Andy, David, and Mason are beginning their summer vacations. Andy is attracted to a gang, the Bull Dawgs, and starts selling marijuana for them. Not long after joining, he lands in a hospital with a broken leg. Mason gets high when he's supposed to be watching his sister, and she gets hit by a car as the result of his neglect. Only David stays out of trouble because he has a job and belongs to a computer club, and he feels guilty about not telling anyone earlier on about Andy. The story concludes on a promising note when he visits Andy in the hospital, and they agree that better days are ahead if they do what is right and "stay away from those who do bad things." The characters and plot are not well developed, and the illustrations are amateurish and static. The intended audience is not likely to buy into this contrived story.-Marilyn Ackerman, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
