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Nancy Keane's | Booktalks -- Quick and Simple | |
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Pileggi, Leah.
PRISONER 88 New York : Charlesbridge, 2013 IL 5-8, RL 3.8 ISBN 1580895603 |
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In 1887, Jake Oliver Evans is 10 years old and the youngest prisoner at the Idaho Territorial Penitentiary; he was sentenced to five years for manslaughter. Jake settles into prison life quickly. Some aspects of prison life are an improvement, like the fact that he gets two meals a day. However, Jake initially dislikes other aspects of prison life including his mandatory reading lessons. Everyone at the prison works, and Jake begins work with a local pig farmer, Mr. Criswell, and develops a strong connection with the family. Jake also develops close connections with several inmates and guards. He finds more of a family within the prison than he ever had outside. After almost a full year in the prison, Jake is pardoned and sent to live with a foster family. Prisoner 88 was inspired by the author’s visit to the Idaho Territorial Penitentiary where she learned that their youngest prisoner was a ten year old boy: Jake Evans. The inspiration for the story is sure to attract readers, but the vivid setting, gripping plot and concern and hope for Jake will keep readers turning the pages. (Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher award, 2015) |
| SUBJECTS: Prisoners -- Idaho --
Territory -- Fiction. Prisons -- Idaho -- Territory -- Fiction. Idaho -- Territory -- History -- 19th century -- Fiction. Historical fiction. |
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