Could not put it down. This book should be read by girls headed to high school and college. It should be a discussion topic for all the many African American young men suspended from schools or dropped out. What an eye opening insight into one of the reasons why our kids …more seem to fall for the artificial life that someone else has purported to be real. Principals, teachers, ministers, priest, parents and students should definitely read this book multiple times to get the essence of what it going on in many of our children's minds and lives. There are so many references and quotes given that anyone could use this as a beginning course in a great study. My thanks and hats off to Thomas, his mom,his father and his brother, Clarence Jr. I plan to read it again and hopefully use it to inspire. (less)