Prisoner 88

Gr 5–8—Jake Evans is 10 years old and the newest prisoner at the Idaho Territorial Penitentiary. Sentenced to five years in jail for shooting a man in defense of his Pa, Jake faces a new life behind bars. Once he gets past the rank odor and impossible tininess of his cell, he soon discovers his newfound situation may not be as bad as the life he left behind. He gets three meals a day, apprentices to a local hog farmer, and even slowly (albeit begrudgingly) learns how to read. Things are still far from ideal; he is in prison, after all. He is surrounded by violent and unpredictable men, many of whom don't care for a kid living among them, and their desire to escape nearly spells the end of Jake. Tom Picasso's narration brings Jake to life in a way that initially veers toward caricature, voicing him as an unlikable Forrest Gump. He's none too bright, nor does he want to be. The story includes a fairly large cast of characters, and Picasso handles them better, conveying much through their voices. The kindly but strict warden has the air of a Southern preacher; and Henry, the security guard who befriends Jake, has potential to work beyond his current station. As the story takes place in prison, there is plenty of swearing and violence, making this story more appropriate for a teenage audience, though it will be a tricky sell to that age group since the lead character is barely in double digits himself. While this is an intriguing bit of historical fiction, it will have a tough time finding listeners.—Jennifer Verbrugge, State Library Services, Roseville, MN