First published 2008
Jimmy hasn't seen his father in nine years when the man suddenly reappears at his door. His dad is running from the law, but he insists he's innocent of the crime that sent him to prison. He wants Jimmy to come with him on a journey across the country to find the one person who can clear his name and prove his innocence. Jimmy agrees to go, though he's not sure he can trust this stranger who claims to be his father. As they travel together, Jimmy learns about the man his father really is, beyond the stories his mother told him. The trip becomes more than a search for evidence. It becomes a chance for both father and son to understand each other and confront the years of separation between them. Jimmy discovers that some broken things can't be repaired, but they can still be forgiven.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, coming-of-age, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, redemption
192 pages · Paperback · Scholastic Paperbacks