This book just like the cover is beautifully dark, haunting, powerful and hopeful. 

The Reformatory definitely had me in my feelings especially being a black African American. I got upset with the characters because i wanted them to survive & be smart. I got upset with the white people in this book just like in real life. Know the truth & still rather someone innocent take the fall. I remember the movie Rosewood and how after a few times of watching it i never watched it again. This book gives me those feelings. There were times i held back tears. 

Someone where in another world I would love to think people are treating each other fairly with love and compassion. 

This story was not only haunting from the history that happened at the Reformatory but also just what happens in the south. With racist people in general. I will never understand why the dad dipped the way he did. Gloria was one tough character in the best way. Her strength for wanting justice and doing whatever for her brother. 

The pain in the book was overwhelming. I took it all in. I knew what time it was that devil of a man and when it unfolded towards the end my heart broke. Blu really pissed me off a lot. He may have helped but he was also very harmful. The kind of person you have to be mindful of if you’re dealing with them. 

So happy we got the ending we did. This book needs to be read on history classes once kids get to high school. It’s a hard read but it needs to be done.