Grade 7-9; Age 12-14 When D Foster walks into Neeka and her best friend’s lives, their world opens up. D doesn’t have a “real” mom constantly telling her what to do, and the girls envy her independence.

But D wants nothing more than to feel connected, and the three girls form a tight bond – and a passion for the music of Tupac Shakur. D’s the one who understands Tupac’s songs best, and through her, his lyrics become more personal for all of them. After Tupac is shot the first time, the girls are awed by how he comes back stronger than ever. And seeing how Tupac keeps on keeping on helps when Neeka’s brother is wrongly sent to jail and D’s absent mom keeps disappointing.

But by the time Tupac is shot again, the girls have turned thirteen and everything’s changed, except their belief in finding their Big Purpose.

Newbery Honor winner Jacqueline Woodson’s compelling and inspiring story shows us how music touches our lives, how much life can be lived in a short time, and how all-too-brief connections can touch us to the core and remain a part of us forever.