Publishers Weekly
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This vibrant debut novel based on a real-life story from indie filmmaker Weyer is set in the urban community of Far Rockaway, Queens, and explores the struggles of a local girl trying to carve out a life beyond the expected. When AnnMarie Walker starts eighth grade, she knows that having brand-name jeans and the best voice in her music class doesn't mean much unless you can back it up with attitude. Her sass attracts the attention of Darius Greene and their romance turns a naive AnnMarie into an expectant mother at 14. As her belly grows and the relationship takes a violent turn, AnnMarie lands a role in an indie film that expands her world and takes her to Sundance. AnnMarie's journey to make it as an actor is as rocky as the first few years of single motherhood, and she faces the grim reality of what it takes to succeed in work, family, and love without advantages. Weyer skillfully handles each phase of AnnMarie's life with a tonality that serves her growing maturity and shifting goals. Weyer's compassionate storytelling and experience as a mentor for at-risk youth lends her compelling novel an inspiring pathos without losing its sharp, realistic edge. Agent: Alice Tasman, Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. (July 2013) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Her dreams focused on rapping and boys, 13-year-old AnneMarie Walker is much like the other girls from Queens, New York, except that she and her boyfriend are already starting a family. For a time, it's the life she's sure she wants. Then, while attending a high school for pregnant girls, she lands a lead role in an indie film, and a whole new world opens up for her. When her relationship becomes abusive, and she is faced with the reality of raising her daughter alone, she grows uncertain about her choices and finds herself rearranging her beliefs about love and stability. Telling her story in halting street language, AnneMarie is a tenacious and lovable character. It is easy to root for her as she gropes and stumbles her way through the lessons of life without the benefit of role models or money, and the conclusions she comes to are surprisingly pertinent for all. Fans of Sapphire's Push (1996) will especially appreciate the honesty and realism of filmmaker and first-novelist Weyer's writing.--Ophoff, Cortney Copyright 2010 Booklist