Deborah Hicks centers her writing on the lives of children in impoverished and working-class America. As an educator and researcher, she has dedicated over two decades to the study of literacy education and its impact. Her work often draws from the experiences of rural communities, exploring how socioeconomic conditions shape opportunities and development. Hicks advocates for a more equitable educational system and champions educational access for girls and young women.
Can one teacher truly make a difference in her students' lives when everything is working against them? Can a love for literature and learning save the most vulnerable of youth from a life of poverty? This book deals with these questions.