• Age: 13 to 18
• Grade: 8 to 12
• Reading age: 13 to 18

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.

WANDA TAYLOR is the author of both fiction and non-fiction books for children and adult readers. She is also a freelance journalist, screenwriter and college instructor. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications such as Atlantic Books Today, Black2Business magazine and Peak Magazine. Her poems and essays have also been published in anthologies across Canada, the US and the UK. Wanda Taylor teaches courses in journalism, story writing for media, and communications. She is also the mentor for the MFA Creative Nonfiction program at the University of King’s College.

Wanda Taylor's profile page

"In addition to the diverse protagonists, many secondary characters also bring diversity to the series."

Kirkus Reviews

"An important cautionary tale for young-adult readers and a solid option for reluctant readers looking for a realistic page-turner."

Atlantic Books Today

"Every young girl should read this."

NetGalley

"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."

CM Magazine

"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."

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