The Twelve-Fingered Boy

Fifteen-year-old Shreve Cannon runs a contraband candy business in juvenile detention until a new inmate arrives - Jack Graves, a strange boy with twelve fingers who possesses unexplained abilities. The two boys form an alliance as they discover and develop their supernatural powers, but their abilities draw unwanted attention from mysterious forces. Their situation becomes increasingly dangerous as shadowy figures pursue them, forcing them to make difficult choices about using their newfound capabilities. This supernatural thriller combines elements of prison drama, chase sequences, and coming-of-age storytelling. At its core, the novel explores themes of friendship, power, and the moral responsibilities that come with extraordinary abilities.

Readers describe this as a fresh take on supernatural YA that blends prison drama with superhero elements. The rapport between main characters Shreve and Jack resonates with many reviewers who praise their authentic dialogue and relationship development. Readers liked: - Fast pacing and tight plotting - Gritty, realistic portrayal of juvenile detention - Strong character voices and humor - Blend of multiple genres Common criticisms: - Abrupt ending that leaves too many questions - Violence and language may be too intense for younger YA readers - Some found the supernatural elements underdeveloped Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (700+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (50+ reviews) "The friendship between Jack and Shreve feels completely real," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another Amazon reader states: "It starts as a reform school story and morphs into something much darker and more complex." Several reviews mention wanting more closure but express interest in continuing the series.

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🔹 The author, John Hornor Jacobs, worked in advertising and design for nearly 20 years before pursuing his career as a novelist. 🔹 Having six fingers on each hand (polydactyly) affects approximately 1 in every 1,000 live births, making Jack Graves' condition more common than many readers might expect. 🔹 The book is the first installment in the "Incarcerado" trilogy, followed by "The Shibboleth" and "The Conformity." 🔹 Juvenile detention centers, like the one depicted in the book, house approximately 48,000 youth on any given day in the United States. 🔹 The novel's unique blend of supernatural elements with institutional confinement earned it a nomination for the 2014 Arkansas Teen Book Award.