NOT ALL "GHETTO" STORIES ARE QUITE LIKE THIS ONE. WITH ALL THE DRAMA THAT USUALLY SURROUNDS THE "GHETTO LIFE," THIS DRAMATIC TALE HAS A LOT MORE TO OFFER. NEAL, A YOUNG, INTELLIGENT STREET SMART KID, IS INSPIRED TO DO HIS BEST BY AN EXTREMELY LOVING AND SUPPORTIVE FAMILY, IN SPITE OF HIS MOTHER'S DRUG ADDICTION. A LOVING AND ENCOURAGING YOUNG GIRL, WHOM HE FINDS SOLACE IN. THIS INSPIRATION NOVEL CAN BE CALLED A LOVE STORY, A COMING OF AGE DRAMA OR BOTH. EITHER WAY, IT IS TRULY INSPIRING, UPLIFTING AND A NECESSARY READ, NOT ONLY FOR THE YOUTH OF PATERSON, BUT YOUNG PEOPLE ALL OVER THIS WORLD. NEAL HAS TO DEAL WITH MANY TRIALS BEFORE HE EVEN GETS TO HIGH SCHOOL, AND HAVING A MOTHER ON DRUGS DOESN'T MAKE LIFE ANY EASIER, BUT NEAL IS DETERMINED NOT TO LET HIS MOTHER'S PAST DETERMINE HIS FUTURE.