The story of the orphan boy Moon, begun in Watt Key's award-winning Alabama Moon, continues with Dirt Road Home
After his recapture, gutsy 14-year-old Hal Mitchell is sentenced to live at Hellenweiler, an institution that is more like a jail than the boys' home it's supposed to be. Hal could walk out in just a few months if he keeps out of trouble. But in a place like Hellenweiler, the more he tries to avoid the gangs and their violence, the stronger Hal's fellow inmates try to make him fail. This title has Common Core connections.
"Key does a fabulous job of keeping his readers involved in the story and vested in the characters. Even reluctant readers will most likely find this one hard to put down." - VOYA
"With authentic characters and a candid first-person narrative, Key's story offers a disturbing appraisal of life in a juvenile facility, and a riveting battle for justice."
Publishers Weekly
"The short chapters, quick pacing, and plentiful dialogue make Key's impressive second effort an especially appealing choice for reluctant boy readers."
The Horn Book
"Key nicely paces his tale, steadily building the tension. . . . There's more than enough action to keep the fidgitiest adolescent boy glued to the page here."
