Rooftop by Paul Volponi

Book Awards:
ALA Best Book Young Adult
ALA Quick Pick
New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

Annotation:
Clayton and Addison are cousins who have ended up together in Rehab. Clayton struggles to live a clean life and do the right thing after Addison is shot and killed.

Book Talk:
Daytop is a rehab school for kids who’ve been caught up dealing or using drugs. Cousins Clayton and Addison find themselves together at Daytop after being separated for years because of a family feud. The boys spend their time at Daytop learning to avoid the lure of the streets, finish their GED’s, and live a clean life.
But, the lure of the streets and easy money keeps calling to Addison. Nights find him dealing drugs on street corners. Addison is in debt to his supplier for $400. As we join the story, we find him shooting dice in the laundry room with other boys, attempting to make back some of the money he owes.
Addison “was starting to risk more on each roll. Addison and Clorox split the next few pots. Then Clorox wanted to put $100 at one shot, and Addison didn’t want to back down.
Clorox rolled first, and rolled a 2 – 2 – 5.
“Go on, beat that!” sneered Clorox.
The twos cancelled each other out, so Addison had to beat the five, or roll a Cee-Lo or trips to win. The dice rattled inside Addison’s right hand. And he shook them so hard the sweat flew off his wrist onto the table.
“I paid the cost to be the boss!” Yelled Addison, letting them go.
“It came out 4 – 4 – 6. Addison won!”
But a huge black paw slapped the table, and the dice went flying. It was Officer Henry, with the two white rookies standing behind him.” (Page 55)
How will Addison pay the debt to his dealer? Will the boys ever be able to clean up their lives and move past where they are? Find out in Rooftop, by Paul Valponi.

Author Website:http://www.paulvolponibooks.com/