It is amazing that there are refugees who manage to rise above difficulty and tragedy in a country that can be cruel and unforgiving. Lac and his family flee Communist Vietnam and end up in the U.S., in a horrible Los Angeles neighborhood rife with prostitutes, drug dealers and gang violence. While Lac's parents deal with the challenges of language, culture shock and trying to find work while raising their children, Lac and his siblings cope with teasing at school and learning the English language. As Lac grows older, he yearns to escape his family, especially his often brutal father, and finds acceptance and freedom with street gangs. Lac is never completely hard-core; the weight of his father's disapproval keeps him from going over the edge. Still, Lac goes through some hard times before finding his way out. Teens from the 'hood will burn through this book. ( )