The Chief and the Thief

An #ownvoices middle-grade novel by James Bird about a boy sent to a Native American boot camp to straighten out his life.

Benjamin Waterfalls is a troubled kid: he steals as the quickest way to fill the emptiness in his life. Plus, he enjoys the danger and it makes him feel good to sneak some money into his mom's purse when rent is due. His Native American mother has tried everything to help Benny find a better path, but when he lands in court in front of an unforgiving judge, it looks like there is no hope until the judge agrees to allow Benny one last chance at turning his life around. The only problem is, he's being sent to stay with his father - the man Benny hasn't seen for seven years.