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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
I liked this book. I read the audiobook and the readers were great. However, had some problems with its plot. For example, Jessica confessed that she was driving and said she was drinking at the time of the accident. Authorities accepted this, no questions asked. Wouldn't police have given her a breathalyzer or taken a blood to determine a BAC? In addition, her dad died in the accident but likely died because of an alcohol induced heart attack. Did they not do an autopsy? These plot points really bothered me. I know that I'm an adult reading a children's book but I finished this book a couple days ago and can't stop thinking about how much this bothers me.
Cute book. I've heard it compared to Wonder and I would agree. Heartwarming story.
Perry has always lived in Blue River Co-Ed Correctional Facility in Surprise, Nebraska. Perry and his mother were given the special privileged of staying together in the facility, even though she is locked up at night and he has his own room. When a well-meaning local DA finds out about this unusual living situation, he removes Perry from the prison and fosters him with his family.
This book is a beautiful commentary on justice versus legality. The characters were well developed, I feel like I could meet them in real life. While some pieces of the story are unbelievable, the human interactions and reactions felt real.
This book is a beautiful commentary on justice versus legality. The characters were well developed, I feel like I could meet them in real life. While some pieces of the story are unbelievable, the human interactions and reactions felt real.
Really interesting look at unusual nonviolent crime prison and twists that occur when outsider comes in to 'fix things.' Makes one think about criminal justice system and all the work that goes into it and reforms that need to happen.
stayed up all night to finish this one. loved it. review to come.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a touching story about what "home" and "family" really means. This is a book written for young readers (Grades 3-5) so it does wrap up a bit too perfectly at the end. However, sometimes we need books to have a nice bow at the end. Perry is a wonderful child and I love the relationship he has with his mother and the other inmates. I wish there was more resolution with the Brian Morris plot but, the reader can easily piece together the conclusion to that story line. This is a book that is emotional, honest, silly, and sometimes stressful. I didn't find any of the material taboo or too direct. There are some parts (maybe two) where there is bad language, but it is not celebrated and used during times of emotional distress. I have no problems having this on my shelf. I found it to be a pretty quick read and I can't wait to recommend it to my realistic fiction readers.
Love 100%. 7th grade read aloud to start the year.
A heart-warming story of a young boy growing up in a prison, who is abruptly taken from the one home he’s known his entire life. This book deals with a lot of real life issues that, as the author states in her note, that one in 28 school-aged children deal with. The first two-thirds of the story is heart-breaking as we see Perry deal with parent removal, foster care, bullying, the possibility of a future with strangers, and heartbreak. The last third is filled with determination and the desire to fix his mother’s mistakes, as well as his own circumstances.
The book, while fiction, does give the opportunity for one to see “inside” a system that they, themselves, may never know or may never see or have seen.
The book, while fiction, does give the opportunity for one to see “inside” a system that they, themselves, may never know or may never see or have seen.
Perry has grown up in a minimum security prison with his mother and a family of inmates. It’s been a warm and loving experience, although he is aware of how different his “family” is from those on the outside. Then assistant district attorney learns of this unusual arrangement and arranges for him to be placed in foster care. Perry feels like a fish out of water and struggles to adjust to a new world while desperately missing his mother. Add in a class project, bullies at school and a very important parole hearing and Perry will have to work hard to rise to the top.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes