On a fictional reservation, 16-year-old Josh “Creeboy” navigates the world of Indigenous gang life. His family members are no strangers to gangs. His dad, the leader of one on his reservation, is in jail, and his older brother Darion has taken his father’s place. Josh is unsure whether gang life is for him. But angry, hurt and frustrated by systemic racism against Indigenous peoples, Josh, now known as Creeboy, starts down the path to becoming a full gang member.
Can his family, and his community, save Josh before his fate becomes that of his father and brother?
Only rarely does a novel offer an inside look at gang life – not only its tension and violence, but its appeal.
Razor looked over the gang and said, “We are Warriors. The best gang for life. You know what it is. Show me your signs.” Some raised shirts and pointed to a W tattoo on the left of their chests. Others pointed to scars from stab and bullet wounds like honor badges.
"You think you're better than everyone else? Listen to me, I'm going to kill you."
Hector has always minded his own business, working hard to make his way to a better life someday. He's the chess team champion, helps the family with his job at the grocery, and teaches his little sister to shoot hoops overhand.
Until Joey singles him out. Joey, whose older brother, Chavo, is head of the Discípulos gang, tells Hector that he's going to kill him: maybe not today, or tomorrow, but someday. And Hector, frozen with fear, does nothing. From that day forward, Hector's death is hanging over his head every time he leaves the house. He tries to fade into the shadows - to drop off Joey's radar - to become no one.
But when a fight between Chavo and Hector's brother Fili escalates, Hector is left with no choice but to take a stand. The violent confrontation will take Hector places he never expected, including a reform school where he has to live side-by-side with his enemy, Joey. It's up to Hector to choose whether he's going to lose himself to revenge or get back to the hard work of living.