In this experimentally structured novel, the audience meets Goon, a kid who is not used to second chances. His family has just moved to Florida in what his father calls "a fresh start." Goon finds himself with a unique opportunity in J-ROT to redeem his life after a horrific accident, an opportunity to even develop a unique persona. However, the opportunity does not offer all that Goon expects. He's still stereotyped as a "big, dumb, loser." Goon encounters violence and unsavory peers against a backdrop of grief stemming from his mother's death. He grows up quickly, becoming a young man who thinks about the future he dreams of attaining, rather than the future so many believe a kid like Goon should have. Along the way, Goon encounters good people who are willing to help him make positive life changes and move toward a better future.

This book is an uplifting story of recovery and redemption. Goon's self-improvement strides to make his life better are inspiring. Through Goon, the book's audience learns powerful lessons about acceptance, recovering from loss and grief, and accepting responsibility. The book's unique structure also facilitates the teaching that Goon has to impart through the tale. It is experimentally written in verse, and it uses innovative techniques such as larger fonts and bolding to place emphasis on certain words and emotions. The intergenerationality of this book also makes it a standout among its contemporaries. Whether one is fifteen or seventy-five, Goon's story is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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