Summary

Part II is titled Ordinary Times. Brianna remembers applying for the job at the Smart Starts! program. On her application, she wrote that she believes every girl “is capable and previous and can change her life regardless of the circumstances she was born into” (96). Brianna truly believes that and it reflects a hopeful nation. She immediately spent money to make the classroom more inviting and worked out a deal so some of the girls could work on college credits. She has been surprised at the lack of behavioral issues, with the exception of Lizette. The girls get on board with the assignments, even the ones Brianna finds inane. She is horrified by some of the stories of addiction and abuse. One day, she has to intervene when Lizette is pretending to “pleasure” a banana. Brianna knows Lizette has had a terrible life. She...