Margaritte's story is wrenchingly depressing. Around her she tires of seeing the typical statistics of poverty: teen pregnancies, drug and alcohol addiction, arrests, dysfunctional families. The only way she sees out is dealing drugs and saving the profits for her eventual escape. But then she herself becomes a statistic. I found the redemptive and hopeful ending rather too quick and convenient, with everything falling nicely into place for her new beginning. ( )