381 pages
Realistic Fiction/Nutmeg 2020

This story takes place in a minimum security prison in a town called Surprise.  The name of this town is perfect for this book because I really was surprised by the characters and the situation.  Perry is the kindest, most honorable kid, not despite but because of the fact that he has been raised in a prison.  While life is not easy for a kid whose mom is convicted of manslaughter, Perry rises above the petty name calling and drama in middle school because he knows a lot about people and what makes them tick.  There are people who think it is a crime that he has grown up surrounded by criminals, but when he is taken from his mom, his pure heart is just about broken.  I was surprised how much this simple story tugged at my heart strings and made me think.

I recommend this book to middle school readers who appreciate a sweet story about what it means to be a family.