ISBN 0679871470 – I had some difficulty deciding how I felt about this book, so before we get to the review, here's why: Casey's father is in prison for robbery and has a tough-guy complex, but there's no real moment where he and his thinking are exposed as wrong; he simply fades out. If that was going to be the result of his presence, he could just as easily have died years ago and the reader could have done without the ridiculous macho rantings. I suggest that parents read the book; if my concern doesn't bother you, at least you’ll know.

Case, his sister Lily and their mother have moved away from their home after Mr Hill's trial and conviction for robbery. His father calls every Sunday, an event that each member of the family responds to differently. Case has other, more immediate problems. He's starting sixth grade in a new school and not making friends very easily. Ms. Yardley, his English teacher, assigns the class a project – they're going to collaborate on a class newspaper. Case decides to create a comic strip called Dog Years, inspired by Lily, lettered by his only friend, Ned. When the most popular boy in the class starts to notice him, Case makes some terrible choices, hurting people and losing friendships. Downstairs from the Hills, there is Buddy Haynes, a friend of the family who helps Case see where he's gone wrong and get back on the right track.

The story of doing the right thing, of being honest, is nice. Mr Hill seems to exist for only one reason: to serve the author's "concern for the families of prisoners" (mentioned on the jacket). The story is simply mediocre, with a few funny moments and a nice message. It's not a terrible thing, it's just a little above average and dragged down by the superfluous Mr Hill.

- AnnaLovesBooks ( )