"The narrow hall of their four-bedroom apartment had become their fallout shelter." Chap. 3, p. 26.

"There are a lot of people in the projects who say they're not gonna do drugs, that they're not gonna drop out, that they won't be on the streets. But they're doing it now. Never say never." Chap. 3, p. 29.

"Lafeyette and Pharoah, as well as the adults, began talking of the "death train" that drove smack through their community." Chap. 4, p. 42.

"We're gonna die one way or another by killing or plain out." Chap. 5, p. 51.

"His face masked his troubles. It was a face without effect, without emotion." Chap. 6, p. 55.

"I just see when Bird Leg just bent down and almost tripped over the chain, then just lay down. I just catch myself right there. If I kill someone, it seem like I'm taking them on for the person who killed Bird Leg." Chap...