Reluctant readers seeking out the urban realism popularized by the high-low publisher Orca will find another worthy world of fiction in Saddleback's Gravel Road line. This sober entry finds 17-year-old Dani caught in a bad situation: her friend Ruth has arranged for Dani to lose her virginity to Ruth's older brother, Evron. For weeks Dani suffers through unwanted intercourse before putting her foot down which point Evron rapes her. It's a hard-hitting tale told via predictable but believable plot points; even more welcome, though, is Tillit's ability to portray the roadblocks the poor face in achieving success. Dani, an excellent student, is nevertheless in danger of flunking out months away from graduation, and all because her mother can't afford a babysitter for Dani's baby brother, forcing Dani to skip school. It's a circle of catch-22's, but with the help of a friendly teacher and gentle counselor, as well as the intervention of Ruth and Evron's kind older brother, she perseveres. This book inspires without resorting to sugarcoating or preaching.

Gr 7-9 Dani Garcia is beginning her senior year, making good grades and concentrating on getting out, just like her mama told her. Unfortunately, her mother is working longer and longer hours, and Dani must devote more and more of her time to watching her little brother. Eventually the regular daytime babysitter quits, and, at her mother's instruction, Dani starts skipping school to care for Benny full-time. At the same time Evron, a young man who lives in her building, rapes the already-stressed teen. As her grades and school attendance fall, Dani's teacher steps in to give her hope and another chance at graduating. Ultimately, though, it's up to her to take control of her life if she really wants out. This attempt at hi/lo urban fiction has a realistic, gritty story line but falls flat in its execution. Though Dani is likable and her situation is believable, the dialogue is written in complete, grammatically correct sentences without much slang, which doesn't ring true to the setting or characters. Additionally, the plot threads are wrapped up too conveniently and the tone is slightly condescending. Though some teens will continue reading to find out what happens, reluctant readers will lose interest. Skip this title in favor of the popular "Bluford High" (Scholastic) or "Urban Underground" (Saddleback) series. Heather Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL