Historical Fiction. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML:"A must-read for fans of Walter Dean Myer's All the Right Stuff and other lovers of proud urban realism." �??Kirkus Reviews
 
The summer of 1983 was the summer hip-hop proved its staying power. The South Bronx is steeped in Reaganomics, war in the Middle East, and the twin epidemics of crack and AIDS, but Raymond �??Smiles�?� King and Guillermo �??Nike�?� Vega have more immediate concerns.
 
Smiles was supposed to be the assistant crew chief at his summer camp, but the director chose Cookie Camacho instead, kicking off a summer-long rivalry. Meanwhile, the aspiring b-boy Nike has set his wandering eye on Sara, the sweet yet sassy new camp counselor, as well as top prize at a breakdancing competition downtown. The two friends have been drifting apart ever since Smiles got a scholarship to a fancy private school, and this summer the air is heavy with postponed decisions that will finally be made.