In Deep

October 15, 2018
In this harrowing memoir, activist Bianca, working with coauthor Beckstrom, details how she escaped from the claws of addiction to become a member of CeaseFire, a Chicago violence-prevention organization. Bianca's dependency on heroin began in her teenage years but continued even through the births of her five children. Between stints in prison, she became involved with gangs on Chicago's West Side. One final stay in prison, around 2010, was a breaking point for Bianca. She completed her sentence and worked hard to stay clean. During this time, CeaseFire activists observed the way Bianca fearlessly approached and diffused escalating situations between rival gangs. Bianca joined the team as a street mediator, confidently standing between the barrels of warring guns to attempt peace in her beloved city. This work gave meaning to Bianca's life, and she continues to excel in her role today. Hers is a story of hope, rife with the belief that people and cities in the most dire of circumstances will one day overcome them.?(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)