Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

When Mary, a teenager living in a group home, becomes pregnant, authorities take another look at the crime for which Mary was convicted when she was nine years old.

3.5 stars. Fast-paced read that really made me question how we handle criminal investigations, sentencing, the juvenile “justice” system, and more - but that twist at the end frustrated me. If you were horrified yet intrigued by Lesley Nneka Arimah's short story “Windfalls,” this is a good book to pick up.

This book ruined my life and will be one I will be thinking about for a very long time.

Solid 4.5. Teens will EAT THIS UP! The audio was fantastic (as is ALL Bahni Turpin - what can't she do?!) and the twists were surprising. My feelings for Mary were constantly changing and Jackson doesn't ease up on the drama and tension, sliding in a few devastating lines at the end. The characters aren't real but the horrors of teen incarceration, the foster system, and teen violence, especially to TOC are. Look forward to book talking this and hearing students' reactions to the book!