Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival, and Hope in an American City

Dasani tells Mr. Akers about some recent successes and setbacks in school. Chanel calls, angry that her efforts to get Avianna enrolled in Hershey have failed. She thinks the system is working to undermine both Avianna and Dasani. Mrs. Akers talks her through the problem until Chanel concludes, “It not you […] It’s the system” (533). Dasani adores Mr. Akers, who tries to convince Dasani that his code-switching is evidence of agility, not betrayal. Mrs. Akers takes the girls to tea.

Many of the children are having bad dreams. Khaliq pushes Papa away during a supervised visit. Avianna has become emotionally distant. Nana cries without warning. At another supervised visit, Nana is scolded for kissing Lee-Lee on the mouth. Avianna and Nana are in a new foster home. Nana applies to a school for the blind, but a doctor declares that she sees well enough to be disqualified. Supreme sends a threatening text to Linda, the Foundling caseworker.

The children undergo psychiatric evaluations. While they need help, “it is also true” that a diagnosis “brings a financial boost” to foster parents (537).