Between the Cracks 1-3

Book excerpt: Follow the lives of the Simpson family, their lives torn apart by abuse and neglect. Ruby, Between the Cracks Winner of Top Ten Books for Teens award by In the Margins Committee, 2015. If you asked Ruby, she’d tell you she’s happy with her life. She’s tough and independent and doesn’t depend on anyone else. But things aren’t as rosy as she would have everyone believe, and the road ahead of her is filled not only with gangs, drugs, and depression, but other challenges that Ruby hasn’t even imagined. June & Justin Justin already failed June once. He wasn’t there when she needed him, and because of him, their lives will never be the same. Justin must protect June at all costs. But it seems they are always falling behind, barely keeping one step ahead of the nightmares. Michelle When Michelle asked to be taken away from her abusive mother, she never expected to lose everyone she loved in the process. They said they would keep her and Kenny together. Her daddy said he would be back, but he wasn’t. All too soon, they are forced to reunite her with their mother, and Michelle is forced to take to the streets, seeking safety in the gang life.