House Arrest by K. A. Holt. 298 p. Chronicle Books LLC, Otober 6, 2015. 9781452134772. (Arc courtesy of publisher)
Boys don't write in journals,
unless it's court-ordered.
At least, this is what I've figured.
If Jack from Love That Dog, by Sharon Creech, had an older brother, he would be Timothy. Except that Miss Stretchberry is making Jack write poetry in a journal for school and a judge is making Timothy keep a journal for a year while he's on house arrest. He can go nowhere except for school, or to his probation officer, who reads his journal or to his therapist, who does as well.
Timothy stole a wallet. His baby brother, Levi is sick and there was no money to pay for his medicine so Timothy stole a wallet. Now, he has to stay out of trouble for a year; see his tough-as-nails probation officer, a therapist; and keep a darn journal. Or he'll land in juvie "so fast his head will spin." But he would steal that wallet again if there was the promise of helping his baby brother, Levi.
His dad bailed. His mom is doing the best she can. Timothy and his mom are stretched to their limits caring for Levi. Timothy is angry.
At turns heartbreaking and humorous, readers will warm to Timothy's snark and honesty. His voice is real and raw and thoroughly engaging. Give this lovely story to readers who enjoyed Love That Dog; or the author's Rhyme Schemer; or readers who love sad stories; or readers who hate to read; or readers who love to read.
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