Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
It's a crazy premise--boy raised in prison--but it's pulled off beautifully. Perry explores what it means to be home, the difference between inside and outside and the stigma of correctional facilities and how that impacts families of prisoners. While Perry is portrayed as very mature, the book addresses that and it makes sense as he was raised with adults. I think this book can be read from many angles. Connor does a lovely job of telling a real story with a real plot that explores so many important concepts for all of us.
I loved this story - the characters, their stories, how hard topics were written honestly, but in a way accessible for middle grade readers.
Only thing I think is wrong is the title and cover image. It has nothing to do with the story (I mean once you read the story, yes, but a title and cover need to draw in POTENTIAL readers) and I think will deter a lot of potential readers.
Only thing I think is wrong is the title and cover image. It has nothing to do with the story (I mean once you read the story, yes, but a title and cover need to draw in POTENTIAL readers) and I think will deter a lot of potential readers.
My heart was all the emotions in this book. It is written so beautifully and so passionately. This is a must read! It is also for all ages.
Perry has lived in the Blue River Co-ed Correctional Facility for all eleven years of his life. His mother is incarcerated there and the warden has made it possible for them to be together. He sleeps in his own small room and makes the morning announcements out to the cell blocks. There are many people at the facility that he adores and who love his too, making up his family. He goes to school in the community nearby but obviously can’t invite his friends over to his house. As his mother’s parole date nears, a local DA discovers that Perry is living in the prison and has him removed. Perry is moved to live with the DA and his step daughter, who happens to be Perry’s best friend. There is also some question about whether Perry living at the prison will stop his mother’s parole. As the parole date is moved back, Perry works on a class project about how he came to live in the county and that means telling the stories of his prison family, particularly his mother’s.
Connor writes a piercingly honest book about the power of family and love, and the way that families don’t need to be nuclear to be functional and loving. Taking the unique perspective of a boy who grows up inside a facility, Connor demonstrates what a good prison looks like, how it can be a community and a home and how it can heal and allow for people to forgive themselves. The perspective of Perry’s mother is also shared in some chapters, giving the loving mother a voice as she tries to protect Perry from her own truth.
I must complain a bit about the title, which I continue to find confusing even after finishing the book. Add to that the cover which I also don’t relate closely to the book. It’s too bad, given the high quality of the writing and the story and I do hope that the paperback version does a better job of selling the real story inside.
A superb read that looks at prisons, families and the power of community. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
Connor writes a piercingly honest book about the power of family and love, and the way that families don’t need to be nuclear to be functional and loving. Taking the unique perspective of a boy who grows up inside a facility, Connor demonstrates what a good prison looks like, how it can be a community and a home and how it can heal and allow for people to forgive themselves. The perspective of Perry’s mother is also shared in some chapters, giving the loving mother a voice as she tries to protect Perry from her own truth.
I must complain a bit about the title, which I continue to find confusing even after finishing the book. Add to that the cover which I also don’t relate closely to the book. It’s too bad, given the high quality of the writing and the story and I do hope that the paperback version does a better job of selling the real story inside.
A superb read that looks at prisons, families and the power of community. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
I lead 4th - 5th grade discussion group at my library. We read a good selection of books through out the year. This book has been one of my favorites of this school year.
Perry is a great character. He has been living in an unique and interesting place for a child : a prison. His mother gave birth to him in prison and has been allowed to raise him there. This book follows his journey once it has been discovered by officials that he has been living within the prison system. I am really looking forward to hearing what my fellow book group members think of the book.
Perry is a great character. He has been living in an unique and interesting place for a child : a prison. His mother gave birth to him in prison and has been allowed to raise him there. This book follows his journey once it has been discovered by officials that he has been living within the prison system. I am really looking forward to hearing what my fellow book group members think of the book.
I really liked this book. It picked up right from the beginning and had a great pace through to the end. Really great messages for kids to know.
I am so glad I decided to finally read this book. It reminds the world that there are many sides to every story, and that even people who make big mistakes are still people worth rights and worth love.
A good solidly likable book. No criticisms but nothing particularly outstanding about the plot. The characters were excellent and well rounded and formed the main basis of the likability.
Perry is immediately likable. Drawn quickly in and rooting for him and his unconvential family