Guarding Secrets

by Patrick Jones

Overview

Everyone has secrets in high school. But no one has a secret quite like Camila Hernandez's.

For as long as Camila can remember, her mother has been in prison. And Camila has tried to make sure no one finds out. She avoids all friendships. She keeps to herself. Because if people get too close to her, they might find out the truth. And once they know, they will see her only as a criminal's daughter.

Sure, some of Camila's classmates also have parents doing time. But her mother isn't any ordinary criminal. Her mother is on death row.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467776943
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/01/2015
Series:	Locked Out
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
File size:	495 KB
Age Range:	9 - 10 Years

About the Author

Patrick Jones lives in Minneapolis and is the author of many novels including the Support and Defend series. A former librarian, Jones received lifetime achievement awards from the American Library Association and the Catholic Library Association.

Editorial Reviews

"Jones tackles the challenges of children with incarcerated parents in his high/low series Locked Out. Camila's mother is on death row for murdering a police officer. The 17-year-old, who has lived in a series of relatives' homes, keeps her mother a secret. No one knows who she is in her current school until a boy from middle school moves to her area, recognizes her, and threatens to expose her. She doesn't know what to do; should she share her secrets and risk losing everything or give in to the extortionist? Happily for Camila, she chooses to trust herself and some others and finds that she has every right to feel safe and happy. While some elements of the plot are formulaic Jones offers an unusual and appealing story, especially in his protagonist. Camila is a sympathetic character, and her transformation is convincing. The content is appropriately presented for readers as young as junior high, but it can also sustain the interest of high/low high-school readers."―Booklist

From the Publisher