"This tender novel tells a universal story of struggle, loss, and ultimately, survival. Arcelia Perez left Puerto Rico for the American dream, but within a few years she's living on the tough side of Providence, Rhode Island with three children, no job, and a powerful heroin addiction. Through rotating narration, we meet a diverse cast of characters-most notably Arcelia's charming, street-savvy son, Cristo, and his teacher, Miss Valentín-whose futures are inextricably linked as they strive to succeed against the odds."--