Joseph luckily is assigned to a foster family in Maine. He enters a home full of compassion, love, patience and acceptance. He direly needs all of these as he has been out of control and without guidance after the abuse he received at his home and at a juvenile facility. A a young teen, he also has fathered a child and desperately wants to be part of his daughter Jupiter's life. There are complications with signing away parental rights and the involvement, or lack thereof, concerning the grandparents. The author handles the growth of Joseph with emotion and delicacy. The connection he makes with his foster family and especially with Jack is one of family and of people who have his back. Joseph's story doesn't offer a storybook ending but with Jupiter, there is hope.

Thanks to Clarion Books, Gary D. Schmidt and NetGalley for this ARC.

Absolutely gut wrenching. I easily fell in love with Joseph and his foster family. If only all foster kids could be so lucky to get a family like this. And Jack! Can't say enough about him. Immediately ready to go to bat for Joseph! This is definitely one you need to put on your tbr pile.

Emotional! Young father Joseph enters foster care himself, but wants desperately to meet his child. Joseph has lived an impossible life and it weary because of it. The ending feels abrupt, but the conclusion will leave you in tears.