Description

Beloved author Rita Williams-Garcia intertwines the lives of three very different teens in this fast-paced, gritty narrative about choices and the impact that even the most seemingly insignificant ones can have. A National Book Award finalist.

One day. One huge New York City high school. Three girls, headed toward one slow-motion collision.

There’s Trina, a pretty, self-involved artist who’s sure she’s bringing beauty and color to the lives of everyone around her, regardless of what they really think. There’s Leticia, who skates by on minimal effort; she’s more interested in her cell phone, her nails, and gossip than school. And there’s Dominique, an angry basketball player who’s been benched for low grades.

When Trina unknowingly offends Dominique, Dominique decides that it’s going down—after school, she’s going to jump Trina. Trina has no idea. And Leticia is the only witness to Dominique’s rage, the only one who could stop the beatdown from coming. But does she want to get involved in this mess?

Multiple Perspectives: Experience the collision from three unique points of view: Trina, who has no idea what's coming; Dominique, who's ready to fight; and Leticia, the only one who knows the truth. The Bystander's Choice: Leticia sees it all go down. With the clock ticking toward the 2:45 bell, she faces an impossible choice: say something and become a target, or stay silent and let the fight happen. Gritty Urban Fiction: A raw and realistic look at a day in a New York City high school, where hallway slights can escalate into serious violence. A Ticking Clock Narrative: Told over the course of a single school day, the story builds with relentless tension toward an explosive after-school confrontation.