Ignore these searing, naked tales of a lost America at your own risk. These are the brutal images of Her discarded children - the marginalized lives they lead and the desperate adults they become. They are a warning, a protest, a scream from the darkness by one of the country's boldest, most original young writers - Youngstown, Ohio's Noah Cicero.

Michael Allen, Grumpy Old Bookman: "The subject matter is dark and might be depressing but for the author's sense of humour. Which is dry, droll, and succeeded in making me laugh. A lot more than many books do."

Harvey Pekar, author of American Splendor and The Quitter: "This is a very good, homemade book about White Trash America. It's full of angry, humorous and intelligent insights. I read it in one sitting."

Reader of Depressing Books: "Here's why I liked your novel Burning Babies. Because the voice. Because of who you are, I guess. If I like someone's voice, then I'll read anything they write, because I trust them. Subject matter doesn't matter to me. I like your voice because you do not explain things that are obvious."