All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook is a great book for late elementary and tween readers.
Cook brings a plot to life, that although a little far-fetched, was enjoyable and though provoking.
Perry has spent his entire life with his mom in a correctional facility. He knows only a little about what happened to her before she was sentenced for manslaughter, but has always yearned to know more of the story.
Although his childhood is different from other kids his age, Perry is well loved by the residents at the minimum security prison where his mother is locked up, and has happy memories of running down the halls and making friends with others who are locked up.
All of a sudden Perry's life changes dramatically when the district attorney (who happens to be the step-father of Perry's best friend) discovers this unique arrangement and is sure that it is a less than desirable environment in which to raise a child.
Perry and his mom are separated as he is taken in by the DA and his family, which is only somewhat OK because he gets to be with his best friend.
And now Perry's mom, who was supposed to be up for parole, is seeing her case stalled because the DA isn't sure that her sentence was served in the manner it was meant to be served since she had access to her son while other prisoners did not.
This novel is definitely one that will spark discussion between students, and would make a fantastic read aloud as well. I loved it myself, and feel that the only negative thing I can say about it is the 380 page length may scare some readers away.
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