Review: House Arrest
Timothy has gotten himself in hot water for trying to help his baby brother. The law doesn’t look kindly on stealing a wallet and using a credit card from it even if it’s used to buy medicine for a sick child. Since he’s only 12, Timothy is placed under house arrest and forced to meet with a probation officer and a counselor who makes him keep a journal.
I can’t say enough good things about House Arrest by K. A. Holt. When Timothy’s brother, Levi, is born with health issues, his family falls apart. His father leaves and his mother struggles to keep things together. It’s not enough, though – she’s always tired and they never have enough money. Timothy loves Levi and wants the best for him. He hates it when people talk down to Levi or ignore him. There’s not much a 12 year old can do to help so when someone leaves their wallet laying out, the temptation is too much for Timothy and he uses their credit card to pay for his brother’s medicine. How can you not love a kid like that?
Written entirely in verse, House Arrest does a great job of exploring issues that are relevant to young people, like an absent father, a tired mother, sweet young love, and a family struggling with financial problems. It’s not all despair, though – Timothy has a lot of love and comes up with a solution that just might help his family. This book is full of heart and moved me to tears and made me chuckle. I have a feeling it will be on my list of favorites for the year. House Arrest is a fabulous Young Adult book but I recommend it to YA readers on up – you don’t want to miss this gem!
I will link this up to Booking Mama’s Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. If you’d like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children’s books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, leave a comment as well as a link on her site.
I get so mad reading books like this, because I know stuff like that does happen, and kids have to endure all that!
I like that this book is told in verse, and think it would be a good read.
Sounds great…these middle grade books are really good lately!
I love books in Verse, haven’t read one in awhile. I will add this, sounds very good.
I love books written in verse and this sounds like an excellent one. I will have to look for it!
I always enjoy novels written in verse. Glad it was a winner for you.
Glad you enjoyed this one so much Kathy. It sounds really good.
Kathy, I’m glad you enjoyed this book. Have a wonderful weekend!
Verse…oh I do not know
Told all in verse, eh? I’ll have to look for it.
You had me until ‘written entirely in verse’. If I saw it at the library I’d ick it up though, just because you loved it 🙂
Hmm, this sounds like one for the YA list. Thanks for sharing Kathy
I am really starting to love books that are written in verse. I reviewed a book with some poetry too this week. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, this sounds like a good book!
This book sounds fascinating to me! I’ll have to check it out! Thanks so much for linking up at Booknificent Thursday this week on Mommynificent.com!
Tina