Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

In ROOFTOP, Clay, arrested for drug possession, is enrolled in a special program called Daytop. It's for teens on parole. Kids report to the Daytop Center during the day where counselors (recovering drug offenders themselves) run a strict program complete with a philosophy statement, chores and responsibilities, study time for the GED, and a sense of family most of the kids are missing.

At Daytop, Clay runs into a cousin he hasn't seen in awhile. The two are happy to be back together, but there is tension because Addison still lives in the projects and is actively involved in some nasty stuff. Clay's goal is to get free of drugs and make something of himself. His father is his role-model. Clay's dad has been able to beat the odds and build a laundry business from scratch and move his family out of the housing projects to the other side of the street. His dream is to see Clay not only earn his GED, but also go on to college.

Even though Clay's home life is better than Addison's, he is still surrounded by less desirable elements on the streets and in school. He struggles to stay clean and pass his urine/drug tests. Another run-in for smoking pot and he'll be in jail for real.

Running with Addison one night, Clay ends up on a rooftop chasing Clorox, who owes Addison money. Clorox gets away, but when the two cousins try to follow him, they are met by the police. Thinking the cops are really Clorox and his gang, Addison grabs his wallet and fakes that it is a gun. The cops open fire, and Addison is hit by a fatal shot in the chest.

Having a seemingly innocent kid shot by the cops doesn't sit well in the projects. Family and friends are out to get the guilty cop sent to jail. The entire community becomes involved in trying to settle the score.

Volponi draws the reader into the tough lives of his characters. Vivid action and rough language paint a clear picture of life on the inner city streets. ( )

Volponi tells a powerful story of the pull of drugs and money on urban streets. Clay and Addison, cousins reunited by their journey through rehab, are torn apart by a violent act. The truth about that day will fester inside Clay until he ultimately decides how he can live with himself. The language is coarse, and the story will attract reluctant readers. ( )

High interest view inside a daycare center for the ex-drug abuser. Students enjoy how real it feels and how so much is squeezed into so few pages. ( )

The book that I reading its talking about how this two people who were cousins and how they meet each other when their was a hard argument between each of their. The title of this book is call "rooftop". Its aslo talks about how this two cousins grew up together when they wre small or infants.

They got ripped apart when they saw the conflict between each of their family mammbers. So after along time they found each other in a program that help them success in life it was basically a drug-program were they help ill people with addicts, this two cousins end up in ths program because they in dint have a good life or future after them or after wards when they saw that they had no meaning in life.

So they end up seeing each other in this drug-program call daytop. Where I think more problems are about to get going. But it seems that there are some problems because Addison one of the main character stars to sell drugs while taking this special. So thats were im still reading, and so far what i got in this book.

This book should be on your high school reading list.
It's a well written account of one boy's struggle to overcome his circumstances. ( )