"Told in Jon's and Adriana's alternating perspectives, the story paints a vivid picture of a harsh reality. An evocative glimpse into an unjust and unforgiving system." -- Kirkus Reviews "The intersectionally diverse teen characters that populate this smoothly plotted, emotionally intense read are fully developed and represent a range of incarceration experiences. Close third-person narration melds letters and slam poetry-inspired verse to deliver a high-stakes, dual-perspective love story that critiques juvenile incarceration and celebrates the connective power of the written word." -- Publishers Weekly "With its emotional intensity, thoughtful storytelling, and wrenching conclusion, this addictive, gently romantic page-turner will hit readers in both the heart and the gut. Hand this to readers who value ride-or-die friendships and hard-won heartache, and those who grew up loving Holes and are ready to grapple with a grittier take on juvenile justice." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books The mystery of what Jon did to deserve his stay at the facility, and the truth, will break readers' hearts. Hand this book to readers who enjoy emotionally raw, true-to-life stories like Saints of the Household by Ari Tison or Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.

-- School Library Journal (starred review).