Nightcrawling -

: Her father is dead, and her mother is in a halfway house following the tragic death of Kiara’s younger sister.

: Her older brother, Marcus, avoids steady work to pursue a rap career, leaving Kiara responsible for a doubling rent and basic survival. Nightcrawling

The story follows 17-year-old , who lives in the Regal-Hi apartment complex in East Oakland. Her life is defined by a lack of traditional support: : Her father is dead, and her mother

Leila Mottley’s debut novel, Nightcrawling , is an unflinching exploration of systemic failure, survival, and the erasure of Black girlhood in Oakland, California. Written when Mottley was only 17, the novel gained international acclaim, earning a spot on and a longlist nomination for the Booker Prize in 2022. 📖 Plot Overview Her life is defined by a lack of

: Despite her own struggle, Kiara cares for Trevor , a nine-year-old neighbor whose mother is often absent due to addiction. 'Nightcrawling' by Leila Mottley - East Bay Magazine