The Odds Against U.S. is a book that paints a vivid picture of the lives of urban youth. James shows a very rare and personal perspective on statistics. The readings serve as a guide to understanding urban youth. "Statistical data tells us that in 2012, over 288,000 African American kids dropped out of school. It tells us that African American and Hispanic students read on the same level as 8th grade white students. Tells us that nearly 64 percent of black children are raised in homes without their fathers. Tells us that 30 percent or more 15 year old kids are sexually active. Tells us that over 820,000 young girls become pregnant each year. Tell us that 3 million teenagers contract sexually transmitted diseases annually. Tells us that African American male students are nearly 2 and half times as likely to be suspended from school as white students. Tells us that majority of the 2.3 million people incarcerated are people of color. Tells us that in America, over 8 thousand black people are killed each year and that 93 percent of these murders result from black on black violence. Statistics tells us a lot but it fails to educate us on how and why these things happen. This book offers those answers.