This memoir is set in Oakland, California in the 90's, Valentine was one of six children; with eccentric parents, a white Quaker landscaper father and a Black mother, who worked for the post-office. This book focuses on her brother Junior, whose death forms the focus of the book, and also connects her story to the larger issues of young black men in the justice system.

I read this book for a book group, one of our members is a Mills College Grad, and this book was on Mills's Everybody Reads list. I was interested because I grew up very close to Valentine, however 30 years earlier. Her description of Oakland neighborhoods is spot on.

Overall, an impressive book and well worth reading. There were parts of the book when Valentine got a bit preachy, especially at the beginning and end of the book. However, the bulk of the book is her family's story, which is well told. There are touches of humor, and she describes her family honestly, but with sympathy and grace. Reading it, one is frustrated with her parents, but also sympathetic, as they try valiantly, but ineffectively, to advocate for Junior and to help him to a better path. ( )