Timothy is a good kid who did a bad thing. Now he’s under house arrest for a whole year. He has to check in weekly with a probation officer and a therapist, keep a journal, and stay out of trouble. But when he must take drastic measures to help his struggling family, staying out of trouble proves more difficult than Timothy ever thought it would be. Touching, humorous, and always original, House Arrest is a funny book for teens in verse about a good boy’s hard won path to redemption. The ideal addition to any young adult book collection, House Arrest will delight reluctant readers and provides teenage motivation when it’s needed most.
Read Aloud Tips
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Introduce the book by having the students describe a time they felt trapped and misunderstood.
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Preface the book by reading the summary. Have students predict some struggles they think Timothy may encounter.
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Use this book to discuss personality responsibility, independence, and maturation. Lead an activity where students describe these terms in their own words, preferably with examples.
“Easy to read and strong on sibling devotion, with frustratingly mixed messages about personal responsibility.” – Kirkus Reviews