Imagine being stuck in a dark, dank cell overnight with men twice or thrice your age, or more. At least 10-year-old Jake had his own cell in the Idaho Territorial Penitentiary. Back in 1885 when there were no separate facilities for juvenile offenders. At least he was able to escape the sweaty humidity to work with pigs during the daytime, where he found compassionate Mr. Criswell, whose 12-year-old son Charles, on the other hand, was not so fond on Jake.

Two or three bread-and-water days were on the horizon for anyone who dared to refuse orders. It happened a few times to Jake. Luckily, he had tutors in the prison: first Mr. Nance, whose crime was having too many wives, then Mr. Shin, who learned to read together with the 10-year-old boy. Jake used the Bible for reading lessons, since that was one of the books available in the prison. The warden, affectionately known to the boy as "White Beard," had plans for the penitentiary to build a library, since idle minds lead to trouble. In addition, the warden was kind enough to let Cat, the hog barn's cat, who follows Jake home every night, stay in the prison yard as a mouser.

Five years for shooting a man whom Jake thought would hurt his father. Defended by a lawyer who was just starting up, no experience in these types of cases. This book is based on the true story of a 10-year-old boy James Baker, who shot E. T. Williams, a man who had argued with his father in a saloon owned by Mr. Whittier. The cover art shows the hope that shines on the boy, who is flanked by two figures much larger than he.

Prisoner 88 by Leah Pileggi, 2013

I am very interested in the criminal justice system, especially juveniles who are in trouble with the law, so this book caught my eye, of course. The historical fiction aspect of the book and the fact that the story was based on an actual criminal case also intrigued me. The book was a very engaging look into what the world of juvenile incarceration possibly looked like in the Nineteenth Century. 

• Leah Pileggi's web site
• Books by Walter Dean Myers
• NYPL Correctional Services
• Books on Juvenile Offenders