Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
While college-bound Mexican American Diego plays by the rules, Lawson, who is white, deals drugs to get by. Despite their perceived differences, both grew up in financially unstable homes without their fathers, a similarity that binds them together. As such, Diego feels it's his responsibility to persuade Lawson to pursue a less dangerous lifestyle; he bargains, cajoles, and even threatens Lawson as they drive around in Diego's 1980 Cadillac DeVille. As the work cycles on, Diego struggles with the idea of embarking on a future that could require abandoning his best friend. Using simple language with short lines and sparkling imagery ("fluorescent lights/ that break the dark of midnight"), Ogle (Abuela, Don't Forget Me) portrays the boys' circumstances with gritty frankness, positing on how, for some families, hard choices don't feel like choices at all: the money Lawson makes is the only thing paying his and his mother's rent. In this riveting, at times heartbreaking verse novel, Ogle delivers an affecting portrait of two "ride or die" friends in dire circumstances for whom the phrase becomes scarily literal. Ages 14--up. Agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US. (Mar.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A hardworking high school senior strives to keep his future bright while driving around his drug-dealing friend. Benny and Lawson, both raised by struggling single moms after their fathers left, are neighbors, best friends, and total opposites. Lawson, a white boy who's charismatic and popular, goes to school mainly to deal drugs--not to study. Mexican American Benny, who's quiet and studious, ranks near the top of their class. Lawson helps Benny come out of his shell at parties and stands up for him against bullies, and Benny is there when Lawson needs a ride. Benny's mom holds down multiple cleaning jobs, works to stay sober, and encourages her son to go to college. By contrast, Lawson's mom, who's on welfare, depends on Lawson dealing marijuana to make rent. As graduation nears, the duo find themselves on dangerously different paths. Feeling trapped by his dependent mother and a new, violent drug boss, Lawson starts selling harder drugs. The risk of getting arrested or attacked because of Lawson's drug dealing terrifies Benny, who threatens to stop driving Lawson around. Written in swift, emotive verse from Benny's perspective, this work will leave readers empathizing with Benny's struggle to prioritize his own future while remaining loyal to the childhood best friend he genuinely wants to help. But it's the expertly paced plot twist at the end that makes Benny and Lawson's story heartbreakingly unforgettable. Achingly, beautifully written.(Verse fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
