High school sophomore, Travis, plans to spend the summer as follows- -Practicing basketball with his best friend, Creature. -Reading excerpts of Creature’s novel-in-progress- The Pervert’s Guide to Russian Princesses. -Paddling around the lake, trying to catch a glimpse of the beautiful girl who just moved in. -Trying, also, to catch a glimpse of the monster that has been gobbling up the neighbors' pets. -Not shoplifting, not getting into trouble. -Searching the homeless encampments for his mother, with a jar full of cash to help her get back on her feet. The summer takes a dark turn when Creature is attacked by a gangbanger in a pick-up game. He survives, but the attack sets into motion a chain of events that threatens both boys' futures…. From a powerful new voice in YA literature comes an unforgettable account of growing up, making mistakes, and growing out of the shadow of drug abuse.