“While many authors struggle with writing in a teen’s voice, Murray nails the first-person narration by the emotional-yet-steely Nadine, who’s able to push herself into the air on one hand while breakdancing, but isn’t quite as strong when it comes to realizing she might be upset about the impending arrival of her baby sister.
Murray also deftly handles the often-arcane terminology of breakdancing, offering up brief but vivid descriptions of the “six steps,” “top rocks,” and “windmills” that Nadine and her gang execute after school. It’s hugely refreshing to read such a thoroughly urban Canadian novel – the hip-hop-flavoured story plays well against the backdrop of big-city downtown-versus-suburbia tension.”
