All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook

Perry T. Cook has spent his entire life living in a minimum-security prison in Nebraska with his mother, who is an inmate. At age eleven, he attends school in the nearby town and returns each day to Blue River Co-ed Correctional Facility - the only home he's ever known. His stable routine changes when the ambitious district attorney learns of Perry's living situation and forces him into foster care with his best friend's family. Perry must adjust to life outside prison walls while working to understand his mother's past and the circumstances that led to her incarceration. The story follows Perry's quest to reunite with his mother and his growing understanding of justice, forgiveness, and what makes a family. Through interviews with inmates and piecing together his mother's story, Perry gains perspective on how people's lives can take unexpected turns. This middle-grade novel explores complex themes about judgment, redemption, and the true meaning of home. The story challenges assumptions about prisoners and their families while examining how communities can both help and hinder second chances.

Readers note the unique premise and strong relationship between Perry and his mother. Many reviewers appreciate how the book handles complex topics like incarceration and justice through a child's perspective without becoming too heavy. Readers liked: - Natural, authentic dialogue - Well-developed secondary characters - Balance of serious themes with hopeful tone - Educational value for middle-grade readers about the prison system Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some plot points feel unrealistic - A few reviewers found the ending too neat Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (280+ reviews) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Multiple teachers and librarians mention using it successfully for class discussions. One reviewer noted: "This could have been depressing or preachy but instead feels honest and hopeful." Several parents appreciated how it prompted conversations with their children about prejudice and forgiveness.

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🌟 The book won the International Literacy Association Teachers' Choice Award and was selected as a Junior Library Guild Selection in 2016. 📚 Perry, the main character, is one of the few children in literature who was legally raised inside a prison facility, though such programs do exist in real life, particularly in Germany and Denmark. ✍️ Author Leslie Connor was inspired to write this story after reading a news article about prison nursery programs that allow incarcerated mothers to keep their babies with them. ⚖️ The novel explores the concept of restorative justice, showing how inmates at Blue River Co-ed Correctional Facility work to make amends and heal relationships rather than just serve time. 🏆 Leslie Connor's other works have also received notable recognition, including "Waiting for Normal," which won the ALA Schneider Family Book Award and the Josette Frank Award.