In her debut novel, Traci L. Jones presents a girl with grit she never knew she had, and a boy so inspired by her that he begins to take pride in his own abilities.

Patrice dreams of a first-class education, but right now she's just got to survive the walk to school.

Patrice Williams was happy living in Georgia with her grandmother...then her mother lured her to Chicago and ended up in jail. Living in the projects, Patrice is an easy target for everyone. Not only won't she stand up for herself, she cares about her grades--unlike her classmates. But that draws the attention of Monty Freeman, another eighth grader who asks Patrice to tutor his little brother. When Monty becomes her guardian angel, Patrice begins to think something stronger than friendship might be growing between them. Still, nothing will stop her from applying for a scholarship at prestigious Dogwood Academy--except her mother.

Winner of the 2007 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award A 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year