Hal Mitchell walks into Hellenweiler Boys' Home determined to keep his nose clean so he can serve his sentence and get out as soon as possible. On the outside his father is fighting his battle against alcoholism and his girlfriend is coming to see him and sending him letters. There is a lot to live for and a lot of reasons to go straight and have a second chance at life.
But Hellenweiler is proving to be like no other juvenile facility Hal has ever come up against. New boys have to pledge their allegiance to the Ministers or the Hounds. Hal wants no part of either group and says so. The result is that every new boy's initiation is to beat up Hal. The guards turn their heads and the administrators are vengeful and corrupt. Written in a gritty style from Hal's point of view, you can't help but cheer for him and for his father as they struggle against insurmountable odds. This is a terrific sequel to the wonderful ALABAMA MOON. Makes you think twice about the power of those who hold our young prisoners. 211 pages Ages 11 and up
Recommended by: Barb
