Quarter Finalist

Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Britt delivers a heartrending story of the events that led to her children being incarcerated. The memoir is frank and eye-opening, and Britt's willingness to disclose the gritty details will help others who are struggling with similar issues.

Prose: Britt is down-to-earth and relates her story in simple, straightforward prose that invites readers into her family—and the painful aftermath of her sons' incarceration.

Originality: This is a traumatic story of a mother losing her sons in an incredibly painful way, and Britt's decision to share her journey of loss, healing, and even some closure is authentic and believable. 

Character/Execution: Britt's purpose—to share her anger, depression, and hopelessness in a genuine way—is admirable, and the narrative portrays her progress as slow but reasonable given the immensity of her situation. 

 

Date Submitted: January 28, 2023