The book gods have smiled down on me. Just when I thought there were no female protagonists in young adult lit that I didn't want to kick in the face...the gods sent me Josie. I love this book. The basic premise is that Josie's (literally) harlot-of-a-mother with absolutely no redeeming qualities, has all but abandoned young Josie since age 7. But Josie is determined to get ahead and be the antithesis to her mother's selfish scheming. 
 Josie is hard-working, authentic, sweet, and selfless. She oozes no bitterness because most of her energy is spent in taking care of others and wishing and hoping to get into Smith. Despite being poor and the daughter of a woman of ill-repute, Josie is whip-smart and voracious. 
 When a murder happens in the Latin Quarter, Josie is dragged further into a world she hates: mobsters, prostitutes, and, sleazy businessmen. The book centers on Josie's life in the quarter, the people she loves, and who love her back. The ending fell a bit flat to me. There was all this build-up towards some great vengeful moment on behalf of our heroine, only to learn that her low-life mother would, in fact, get off seemingly scot-free. No matter though really, since the story and characters had already won their way into my heart. Yeah for thoughtful, funny, sweet, and kind heroines whom I don't hate.