June & Justin

Book excerpt: Justin had made a mistake. A big, life-changing mistake. He already failed June once. He wasn’t there when she needed him, and because of him, their lives will never be the same. June is everything to Justin, and he must be everything to her. He must protect June at all costs. Justin is prepared spend the rest of his life keeping her from getting hurt again. But it seems they are always falling behind, barely keeping one step ahead of the nightmares. There is always one more hazard, just around the corner. -A heartbreaking and intense story of the journey of two children to find themselves and happiness. -Is it possible to rise above your circumstances when you already have two strikes against you? That is the question facing June and Justin, children thrust into circumstances that would defeat many adults. Can they ever hope to live happy, normal lives? Keywords: Young adult books, Between the Cracks series, teen books, juvenile delinquent, parole, drugs, choices, depression, anxiety, addiction, gangs, violence, mental health literature, mental illness, middle school, high school, foster care, homelessness, suicide, in the margins, marginalized, diverse, poverty, streets, custody, friendship, substance abuse, incest, sexual abuse, murder