SKETCHES by Eric Walters

The haunting eyes on the cover of SKETCHES will hopefully make readers want to know more. Set in the middle of the homeless community of Toronto, Canada, it is an emotional story about the lives of three street kids.

Dana left home as a last resort. Sexual abuse at the hands of her step-father caused her to act out at home and at school. Unfortunately, her cry for attention and help was ignored by her mother, leaving Dana no choice but to run. On her own in Toronto, she finds life terrifying, but with the help of Brent and Ashley, two other runaways, she is able to survive.

Brent and Ashley each have their own personal demons. Brent escaped to the city to find some answers about his sexuality, and Ashley is fleeing a mother whose life as an exotic dancer doesn't leave room for a teenage daughter. The two use their experience living on the streets to educate Dana on the best ways to find food and shelter and how to avoid being a victim of this harsh life.

Things begin to change when Dana's artistic talent shows through some random graffiti she creates to pass the time. A counselor from a place called Sketches notices her talent and invites her to visit the center. Sketches is an organization designed to offer street kids an outlet for their creative talents, as well as a safe place to work out their problems. Dana and her two new friends find this haven might just give them the tools they need to make something of themselves and their desperate situation.

Eric Walters combines the harsh reality of homeless living with the right amount of hope to create a story sure to be a hit with teens. Sketches is packed with emotion and drama. It's a fast-paced read about teens struggling with serious issues.