• 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 an award-winning writer, filmmaker, journalist, and college professor.

As an author of fiction and nonfiction, Wanda writes across children's, YA and adult markets. Her next two fiction titles are set for release with HarperCollins Canada in June 2023 and Spring 2024. As a journalist and former television producer, Wanda has written and produced content for film and television. Her magazine features, poems, and essays appear in publications across Canada, the US, and the UK.

As a former Acquisitions Editor, Wanda has acquired and championed titles from emerging and established authors and continues to support the work of new writers as a freelance editor.

In her role as a sensitivity reader, Wanda works with publishers and authors on works in progress to ensure accuracy and authenticity in areas such as race, diversity, cultural history, social work, and trauma.

Wanda currently teaches courses in journalism, communications, and several writing courses. She previously taught journalism courses at King's, where she will continue to serve as a mentor in the MFA Writing and Publishing program.

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."

Resource Links