The foreword to the book is written by activist and author Raj Patel and the introduction is penned by Miloon Kothari, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing.

[2][3] In his forward, Raj Patel says that the book is "both testimony and poetry" and contributor Conway Payn "opens the door to a world of compassion, of fellow-suffering, that holds you firm."

However, the stories also cover many general issues within poor communities including relationships and physical abuse.

[6][7] Another recurring theme throughout the anthology is how the struggle enabled the pavement dwellers to build a strong community on the road.

[11] In his review in Red Pepper Magazine he says that the book is "a remarkable and moving volume, charged with emotion and satiated with reasonableness".