4.5 Stars - Another great novel by Watt KeyLabeled a troublemaker and juvenile delinquent, Hal was determined to stay out of trouble at Helenweiller Boys’ Home in the hope that he would be released before his eighteenth birthday. His dad had stopped drinking, was working a steady job, and Hal had met a beautiful girl named Carla who cared for him despite his rap sheet.
Hal actually believed he could one day have a life, especially when his attorney tells him the judge was considering early release if Hal stayed out of trouble and followed the rules. Hal tried to make himself invisible and focused solely on getting out. Hal, though, can only keep his temper under control for so long. Though Hal could throw a punch and was stronger than most of the boys there, he repeatedly endured brutal beatings and harassment for his refusal to join one of the gangs , either the Death Row Ministers or the Hell Hounds. When Hal goes to Guard Pratt for permission to stay inside during their outside play period to avoid any confrontations, his request is denied. Hal realizes that the director and guards often ignored the violence and seemed to even instigate conflict between the boys.
Soon Hal is beaten so brutally by the Hell Hounds he ends up in the infirmary; Hal begins to fear he may actually die before he is released. All hope for release is soon gone, though, when the director falsifies conduct reports, blaming the fights on Hal and altering his medical records which detailed all the beatings he endured.
The enemies are not the Hell Hounds or the Death Row Ministers – it’s the Staff at the boys’ home.
The only hope Hal has is to somehow expose the corruption and stay alive at all costs….. Companion novel to Alabama Moon
Dirt Road Home was an above-average book that kept me on the edge of my seat. I personally liked its action, mystery, and even the parts about jail. Poor Hal had to bear down hard to get the win, and I really feel bad that it took weeks to finally get some dirt. Caboose and Paco were at his side the whole time, and in the end I was left with a smile on my face and a head full of action. I really hope people read this book, as I enjoyed it to the fullest extent.
ReplyDeleteI liked the book dirt road home because it tells the boys situation about him having to choose between the hell hounds and the death row ministers. But he would not choose.He had more important things to worry about like his girl friend carla and his dad than being apart of some gang.
ReplyDeleteDirt road home was outstanding! The action kept me wanting more! I really felt mad for him. He was always trying to do the right thing but things didn't go his way. His determination led him to finally succed. This book is AWOSOME!
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about this book is that when he had to choose between the Hell Hounds or the Death Row Ministers and in the Hell Hounds he met a good friend Paco that showed him around the Hellenweiler State Penitentiary.He also met Caboose that barley ever talked to him but they were good friends.
ReplyDeleteThis was my favorite Top Tiger book. It involved a lot of action every moment and it kept you wanting more. Hal who was determined to do his time and get out had to learn the hard way that you had to choose sides at Hellenweiler. After getting beat up a few times he met two good friends to helo him out on a plan. His biggest enemy at Hellenweiler wanted to fight him in the boiler room. You would never guess the way Hal won the fight. This story has a great pace and has the perfect story book ending!
ReplyDeleteThis book was one of my favorites!! It Definately is a cliff hanger. Sometimes when i got home i started reading and i could not stop, Sometimes i had to do my homerwork at school, thats how good it is. I kloved the action and sometimes anger the characters felt!!! This book is Far beyond what i thiought it was going to be ! Right now i reading Alabama Moon, I think these two books are related!!!!
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