Another downer from Oprah's bookclub. But it was a very good book. I really liked the protagonist and I felt for his difficult situation, being very young and having to take care of his sisters and wanting a life of his own. Some quite disturbing things happen in this book, so a reader should be prepared. The ending is not overtly sad, but it could be happy. I believe there is hope for this young man's future and that was encouraging to me.