by Gary Paulsen
First published 2003
Twelve-year-old Tony creates art inspired by his unusual home life. His mother Al works as a dancer at the Kitty Kat Club and raises Tony as a single parent. Tony sketches the backstage world he knows, capturing the people and scenes around him. When his drawings appear in an art exhibition, they attract unwanted attention from social services. Officials question whether Al provides a suitable environment for her son. The agency moves to remove Tony from his mother's care. Al refuses to surrender without a battle. A legal fight erupts, drawing media coverage and public scrutiny. The case becomes a clash between a determined mother and government authorities. Tony watches as strangers judge his family and debate his future. Al must prove she deserves to keep raising her son. The story unfolds through Tony's perspective as he navigates this crisis while continuing to find inspiration in the world around him.
Genres: fiction, art, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, underdog
Setting: Kitty Kat Club
112 pages · Hardcover · Wendy Lamb Books