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

Wanda Taylor
WANDA LAUREN TAYLOR is an author, filmmaker and educator. With a background in social work and advocacy, Wanda lectures on social justice and human rights issues. She is a former CBC TV producer and the author of two books, including Birchtown and the Black Loyalist, listed as one of the top Black history books for young readers by Today's Parent Magazine and by the Canadian Children's Book Centre.

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)

Subjects

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