Ride or Die
by Wanda Taylor
Kanika, a 15-year-old Black girl from a small town, is lured into the sex trade when she falls for an older teenage boy. Based on true-events, this book recounts the physical and emotional abuse experienced by young victims of sex trafficking, and how one girl survives and escapes.
When 15-year-old Kanika falls for Danny, an older guy she has always had a crush on, she becomes his "ride or die chick". Soon after establishing that she will do anything for him, Danny sells her into the sex trade. Kanika is drugged and taken to Toronto where she finds her friend has also been a victim of the sex trafficking plot. With the help of an older sex worker, Kanika manages to survive and escape the people abusing her.
Based on true events, Ride or Die tells the story of how a young Black girl from a small town is lured into the sex trade by an older boy.
About the Author
Reviews
"The writing is clear and maintains its page-turning pace, prompting the reader to continue...The sensitive subject is dealt with thoroughly, but at the same time, it is not overly graphic."
Penta Ledger, Teacher-Librarian, CM Magazine
"An important cautionary tale for young-adult readers and a solid option for reluctant readers looking for a realistic page-turner."
Sarah Sawler, Atlantic Books Today
"The SideStreets Series is a great addition to the canon of Canadian YA literature. In Ride or Die, Taylor takes on the complicated and current story of young teen girls lured by recruiters into the sex trade."
Patricia Jermey, Resource Links
Subjects (BISAC)
YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Diversity & Multicultural, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Family / Alternative Family, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / General, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Dating & Sex, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Physical & Emotional Abuse (see also Social Themes / Sexual Abuse), YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Sexual Abuse
Subjects
Black History Children, History: Black Canadian, KIDS, Kids/Sidestreets, Priority subject area/race, Themes for Children and Teens
Resource Guide

SideStreets Teacher's Resource Guide
The Lorimer SideStreets guide provides teachers with (a) an outline for helping students to choose novels in the SideStreets series as well as (b) a choice of response activities that offer students opportunities to make sense of what they have read in a variety of modes. (more)
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