Dime

E. R. Frank's 'Dime' is a raw and heartbreaking young adult novel that delves into the startling realities of teen prostitution through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Dime. Lost in the foster care system in Newark, New Jersey, Dime yearns for love and belonging, finding a distorted version of it with a pimp and his 'wifeys.' The narrative explores how she gradually becomes entangled in this life, believing it's a fair exchange for the 'family' she craves. When her pimp's affections shift to a new girl, Dime faces the harrowing challenge of finding the courage to break free from a world that claims to love her but truly exploits her. This book is for mature young adult readers, offering a piercing look at vulnerability, survival, and the complex path to independence.