Kirkus
Clem is a poet who narrates the past in spare, thoughtful verse while conversing with the interrogating adults in present-tense prose. Leavitt accentuates the small scale-two friends, a tiny patch of sky, a notebook, a ribbon, a dog-vividly rendering compact spaces, particularly in the verse passages. Readers are left to weigh little details as evidence for or against Finn's claims, and though the scales tip slightly to one side, the circumstances remain refreshingly ambiguous....A beautifully wrought examination of life's gray areas and the bonds that guide us through them.

Publisher's Weekly
Quick pacing and an unforgettable voice balance bleak descriptions of prison abuse and Clem's earnest, relatable pining for a dog, a girlfriend, and a better life. It's an affirming, intrigue-packed offering that closes with a delightful spark of ambiguity, a fitting resolution for a work that suggests that "knowing everything is boring."

from Canadian Children's Book News:
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from the CanLit for Little Canadians blog:
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from the Mrs. ReaderPants blog:
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from Horn Book
"... the exploration of the themes of crime, punishment, and rehabilitation within the context of the juvenile justice system resonate strongly."

from BCCB Sharp prose is interspersed with Clem's dreamy, tragic verse, startling bits of brilliance in poetry that is still evolving but already moving. Realism fans who don't mind a bit of speculative fiction woven in will undoubtedly appreciate this friendship forged out of hardship, desperation, and deep mutual appreciation.

from Booklist
The story is told through verse as Clem recounts his experiences to a series of prison officials, and the unconventional structure is both disorienting and emotionally affecting. Leavitt unflinchingly depicts the violence and cruelty of the prison system while honoring the hope required to survive within it. While this can be a difficult read at times, it ends on a note of emotional catharsis that will resonate with teens and adults alike.