Greenleaf Book Group Press
Garbage Town
Garbage Town
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A group of 90s teens unearth buried truths and embark on a fight for their lives.
Raj Patel grew up in the shadows of Fresh Kills, the largest landfill the world has ever seen. At sixteen, he's watched the Staten Island crime family extend its tentacles to all aspects of his town’s lucrative trash business, but he's always kept his distance from their dirty trade.
That is until Raj and his friends unearth a dark secret at Fresh Kills. Now they must choose between self-preservation and the pull of justice. With the burden of caring for his family and the determination to protect those around him, Raj plunges headfirst into the dark secrets that lie just beneath the surface of the dump. The more Raj and his friends dig, the more they risk. Soon, they’re in way too deep, and the line between hero and fool starts to blur.
In Garbage Town, Ravi Gupta spins a tale that blends the heart-pounding adventures of a mystery novel with the intimacy of a coming-of-age story. Follow Raj and his friends as they decide who to trust and whether to risk everything.
"Original, compelling, emotionally engaging, skillfully crafted, and a thoroughly entertaining read from cover to cover.” - Midwest Book Review
“Gupta evokes the time and place with sharp details and plenty of wit. . . An immersive teen adventure as big and eclectic as a Staten Island landfill.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Garbage Town abounds with sharp dialogue, strong pacing, and heaps of heart . . . Period references will ping millennial nostalgia radars, but they never feel belabored. This work pulses with charm, suspense, and strong local color.” — Publishers Weekly BookLife Review (EDITOR’S PICK)
"Garbage Town is a coming-of-age tale flavored with mystery, adventure, and thrills. This is a story about growing up, friendships, and the hardships that many teenagers have to overcome when unwittingly thrust into the world of crime, childhood abuse, and violence. If you love coming-of-age stories, this one's a must-read!" —Readers’ Favorite (FIVE STARS)
Ravi Gupta is a serial social entrepreneur dedicated to reforming civic institutions. He is the cofounder and CEO of The Branch, a media company committed to combating online polarization. At The Branch, Ravi hosts several shows, including The Lost Debate and Majority 54—two podcasts focused on bridging the political divide— and Killing Justice, a collaboration with Crooked Media investigating an alleged political murder in India.
In addition, Ravi serves as the CEO and founder of Squadra Health, a company focused on longevity and wellness. Before these ventures, he cofounded Arena, where he led efforts that helped elect dozens of candidates and launched one of the largest campaign-staffer training academies in political history. Earlier in his career, Ravi founded and served as CEO of RePublic Schools, a network of charter schools in the South, and established Reimagine Prep, Mississippi’s first charter school. He also played key roles in Obama’s first campaign and first term, serving as an assistant to Chief Strategist David Axelrod and Ambassador Susan Rice.
A native of Staten Island, Ravi graduated from Yale Law School and Binghamton University. He’s won numerous awards, including the Truman Scholarship, the Webby Award, and Binghamton’s University Medal, along with recognition in Forbes’s “30 Under 30” and Crain’s “NYC 40 Under 40.”
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