"Los Angeles, 1992. Ashley Bennett and her friends are living the charmed life. Its the end of senior year and theyre spending more time at the beach than in the classroom. They can already feel the sunny days and endless possibilities of summer. Everything changes one afternoon in April, when four LAPD officers are acquitted after beating a black man named Rodney King half to death. Suddenly, Ashleys not just one of the girls. Shes one of the black kids. As violent protests engulf LA and the city burns, Ashley tries to continue on as if life were normal. Even as her self-destructive sister gets dangerously involved in the riots. Even as the model black family fȧade her wealthy and prominent parents have built starts to crumble. Even as her best friends help spread a rumor that could completely derail the future of her classmate and fellow black kid, LaShawn Johnson. With her world splintering around her, Ashley, along with the rest of LA, is left to question who is the us? And who is the them?"--

Ages 14 up. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Grades 10-12. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.