BEYOND THE BLOCK

De: DR BRENDA COMBS

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Beyond the Block - Amazon KDP Description

When dreams are the only way out, how far would you go to escape the trap of poverty?

Eighteen-year-old Keyara Mayfield has always been the responsible one—working part-time jobs, helping with bills, and watching over her younger brother Malik while their parents struggle to make ends meet. Living in the projects of a forgotten neighborhood, the Mayfield family faces the same crushing cycle that has claimed so many others: low-paying jobs, mounting bills, and a future that seems predetermined by their zip code.

But when Keyara discovers the Bridge to Success program at the local community college, she sees something she's never had before—hope. With only twenty spots available for over two hundred desperate applicants, the odds are stacked against her. Yet this might be her family's only chance to break free from a life of paycheck-to-paycheck survival.

The path to change demands everything they have to give.

As Keyara pursues her education, her father enters vocational rehabilitation after a back injury threatens his construction career, and her mother seeks legitimate employment to replace under-the-table cleaning work. Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Malik stands at his own crossroads, torn between the academic opportunities his family is fighting for and the easy money offered by neighborhood dealers who promise instant respect and financial relief.

Every choice has consequences. Every dream comes with a price.

With bills piling up, electricity getting cut off, and the constant temptation of street money calling to both siblings, the Mayfield family must decide: Will they sacrifice their long-term dreams for short-term survival, or risk everything on the belief that education and hard work can actually lead somewhere?

"A powerful story of resilience, family bonds, and the courage to dream beyond your circumstances."

Beyond the Block is a compelling urban fiction novel that explores the harsh realities facing low-income families while celebrating the transformative power of education, determination, and unwavering family support. Through the Mayfields' journey, readers witness both the systemic barriers that keep families trapped in poverty and the extraordinary strength required to overcome them.

Perfect for readers who enjoyed:

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
• Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
• Educated by Tara Westover
• The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

This inspiring novel tackles important themes:

• Breaking cycles of poverty through education
• Family resilience in the face of adversity
• The difficult choices facing urban youth
• Systemic barriers and community support
• The transformative power of hope and determination

From corner stores to college campuses, from unpaid bills to graduation ceremonies, Beyond the Block follows one family's courageous journey from surviving to thriving. Their story reminds us that while the path out of poverty is never easy, it is possible for those willing to fight for something better.

Where you start doesn't have to determine where you finish.

Author's Note: This novel was inspired by the countless families across America who face these challenges daily. While the Mayfields' story is fiction, their struggles and triumphs reflect the real experiences of families working to build better futures against overwhelming odds.

Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats.