The novel follows Champ and his mother, Grace, who struggle to survive and keep their family together with opposing relationships to crack cocaine. Grace has just left rehab and hopes to avoid the drug at all costs, while eldest son, Champ, deals crack to make enough money to support his mother and two younger brothers so they can all stay off the streets. The novel is based on Jackson's own life growing up as one of few black boys in predominantly white Portland, Oregon. He writes about the effect crack had on his mostly neglected neighborhood, and its impact on racial tensions, family and identity.