I just read this author's nonfiction "Pushout", about the school-to-punishment pipeline for Black girls, and so picked up her novel. This is a hard, sad look at pimps and prostitutes in West Oakland, and in the determination of a Black Panther sister to make change. Told from the perspectives of Jesus, a "Mack of the Year"; Peaches, orphaned and turned out by Jesus; also mother of Jason, who sees no path but following in his father's ways; and Chinaka, friend to Peaches and prospective savior of Jason. All their lives are bereft and filled with violence, yet there is dancing and thoughtful reasoning and glimmers of hope. Very well written, with great empathy for everyone caught up in the game. ( )

*SPOILER* Jason's turnaround seemed a little too quick and pat for me. Was killing his father the best solution?