An unflinching story about justice, courage, and the life of one young man behind bars.

“Volponi, who taught on Rikers Island for six years, writes with an authenticity that will make readers feel Martin’s fear.”—Publishers Weekly

“Brings to life a believable range of teachers, COs, and inmates and portrays power, hierarchies, and race relations both outside and inside the jail walls with unflinching realism.”—School Library Journal

Sometimes hope can come out of a horrible nightmare . . .

At only seventeen years of age, Martin Stokes is arrested and jailed for something he didn’t mean to do. And five months later, he is still in prison on Rikers Island. Just when things couldn’t get worse, Martin gets caught in a fight, and his face is slashed. Scarred forever, there is one good thing that comes from the attack: Martin is transferred to a different part of Rikers where inmates must attend high school. There he meets a teacher who gives him hope. But can Martin take the help he is offered, or will he be consumed with getting revenge on his attackers?