Winner of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for New Talent
A New York Times Notable Book
A Time Magazine Top 10 Children's Books of the Year
A Boston Globe Best Children's Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year
A YALSA Quick Pick
An ALA Notable Book
Ita�TMs Christmas Eve in Harlem, but twelve-year-old Lolly Rachpaul and his mom arena�TMt celebrating. Theya�TMre still reeling from his older brothera�TMs death in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then Lollya�TMs mothera�TMs girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything: two enormous bags filled with Legos. Lollya�TMs always loved Legos, and he prides himself on following the kit instructions exactly. Now, faced with a pile of building blocks and no instructions, Lolly must find his own way forward.
His path isna�TMt clear a�" and the pressure to join a a��crew,a�\x9d as his brother did, is always there. When Lolly and his friend are beaten up and robbed, joining a crew almost seems like the safe choice. But building a fantastical Lego city at the community center provides Lolly with an escape a�" and an unexpected bridge back to the world.
Age Range: 10 and Up | Grade Level: 5 and Up | Lexile Measure: 650L