Additional information
by Alice Childress (Author)
Benjie can stop using heroin anytime he wants to. He just doesn't want to yet. Why would he want to give up something that makes him feel so good, so relaxed, so tuned-out? As Benjie sees it, there's nothing much to tune in for. School is a waste of time, and home life isn't much better. All Benjie wants is for someone to believe in him, for someone to believe that he's more than a thirteen-year-old junkie. Told from the perspectives of the people in his life-including his mother, stepfather, teachers, drug dealer, and best friend-this powerful story will draw you into Benjie's troubled world and force you to confront the uncertainty of his future.
Back Jacket
Benjie can stop using heroin anytime he wants to. He just doesn't want to yet. Why would he want to give up something that makes him fell so good, so relaxed, so tuned out? As Benjie sees it, there's nothing much to tune in for. School is a waste of time, and home life isn't much better. All Benjie wants is for someone to believe in him, for someone to believe that he's more than a thirteen-year-old junkie. But Benjie can't kick heroin for his mother or for his teachers. He needs to do it for himself.
Author Biography
Alice Childress (1916-1994) was born in Charleston, South Carolina and moved to Harlem when she was a young child. She began her career as an actress but soon turned to playwrighting. Her works include Trouble in Mind, Gold Through the Trees, Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White, and the young adult novel A Hero Ain't Nothin' but a Sandwich.
