About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling trapped by their circumstances or struggling with the heavy guilt of wanting a different life than the one their family can provide. This moving novel in verse explores the complex intersections of loyalty, poverty, and the lengths a person will go to for a chance at a future. The story follows Lulu, a girl who loses her college savings and turns to a dangerous family secret, running an illegal moonshine still, to try and get her dreams back on track. While the plot involves criminal activity and romance, the core of the book is a deeply emotional study of resilience and the moral ambiguity that often accompanies survival. It is best suited for older teens (14 and up) due to its mature themes of illegal enterprise and complex romantic dynamics. Parents will appreciate how it humanizes the cycle of poverty and sparks meaningful dialogue about whether the ends justify the means when you are fighting for your life.
