Okay for Now
Recommended. Age: 12+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
A hard book that ends in hope. Doug lives with a cruel, drinking father, but kindness from a librarian, a teacher, a girl and a whole town turns him toward goodness, and he turns his brothers with him. Even the father begins to repent. The reservation is the weight of the abuse, and a boy who sasses teachers before he grows.
For parents
Read aloud from 11, independent reading from 12. Common Sense Media says 12 and up. A father hits his family and forces his son to get a tattoo. Ask who helped Doug, and how he paid it forward. Ask whether Doug's father can change, and why we hope he can (CCC 1847).