An award-winning author looks at the gang life in the projects in this gripping, powerful novel that focuses on a growing issue affecting the lives of thousands of teens every day. An Author's Note provides information on gang-prevention Web sites and resources.

Todd Strasser has written many critically acclaimed novels for adults, teenagers, and children, including the award-winning Can't Get There from Here, Give a Boy a Gun, Boot Camp, If I Grow Up, Famous, and How I Created My Perfect Prom Date, which became the Fox feature film Drive Me Crazy. Todd lives in a suburb of New York and speaks frequently at schools. Visit him at ToddStrasser.com.