Since that is virtually impossible, his only hope is to rely on friendship and to find a way to outwit those who want to keep him down. Hal, who usually has no difficulty taking on trouble, will only get out if he stays out of trouble.

Hal finds himself in this boys' prison in Key's second book and it is run by mean and corrupt adults who allow a viscious gang environment to thrive. As Moon was headed off to a regular life with long-lost relatives, Hal, the buddy he escaped from the 'home' for boys with, is looking at the possibility of spending time in a tougher boys' home that turns out to be more like a real prison. When my students finished Alabama Moon, Watt Key's popular first novel, they all said they hoped Key would write another book so they could find out what happend with Hal. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka 'Readingjunky' Key takes readers into the mind of a young man desperate to maintain control of his temper and emotions so he can satisfy the legal requirements that will allow him to rebuild his life. It quickly becomes obvious that Hal will have to use cleverness and trickery to uncover the illegal activities going on behind closed doors.Īuthor Watt Key follows up his survival adventure, ALABAMA MOON, with this story about Hal Mitchell's determined efforts to return to life with his father. He learns about faked paperwork, guards who look the other way when gang leaders want to use physical violence, and he personally experiences the pain of solitary confinement. Those in charge of the boys' home are out to make life miserable for him, as well. His only goal is to stay clean, serve his time, and get out as soon as his lawyer gets everything straightened out for his release.Īs the days pass, Hal discovers that it's not just the inmates that can make trouble for him. Leaders from both groups insist that Hal needs to pledge allegiance to one or the other, but he is determined to remain neutral. There are two gangs, the Hounds and the Ministers. It turns out that Hellenweiler is much worse than Pinson. Now, Hal's lawyer tells him he'll only have to stay at Hellenweiler Boys' Home until a few things get straightened out - and until his dad proves he has given up alcohol and is capable of providing a decent home for Hal. They headed for the woods and almost eluded the authorities in ALABAMA MOON. Hal Mitchell finds himself back in a boys' home after having escaped the Pinson Home with two other boys.

Dirt Road Home by Watt Key