A story of lost innocence and ragged redemption during the waning years of Texas forced labor of children

I never meant to kill...16-year-old Rob Holland is a simple dirt farmer in 1920’s Texas, right down to his shoeless feet and twice turned dungarees. He works the farm, treats Pa’s word as law, and knows that you defend kin to bloodshed.

When his sister and a local dandy named Buck start courting, Rob unintentionally kills Buck in a misguided effort to protect his sister and family honor. That choice rips him from his home and family when Rob is sentenced to work 3 years at Texas’ State Juvenile Training School. A factual school known for forced child labor.

At camp, guilt over Bucks’ death and the risk of his family losing their land mount. His only chance to escape the dust-soaked cotton fields, will require him to trust a secretive inmate and reveal the dark underbelly of the juvenile camp. Each choice gets Rob closer to home, but it also puts him at odds with the warden and guards who fatten their pockets on young boys' labor. If plans fail, warden could send Rob to work the adult labor camps in Sugarland--a death sentence to any boy.

When the past comes to light about his secretive friend at camp, Rob will have to confront his sense of betrayal to save him. It will be up to Rob to expose the corruption at the camp and save the sun stained boys who first earned their spot and later worked their way through the most notorious juvenile camp in Texas.