I don't think I could ever read The Second Trial for its enjoyment factor...no, it deals with subject matter that is too serious for that. Once finishing this novel, you'll have a better understanding of how domestic abuse affects not just victims, but so many other family members and friends as well. It's not talked about so often in YA, so I appreciated Rosemarie Boll's debut novel all the more.

For Danny McMillan, it was the beginning of the end of his parent's marriage when he dialed 9-1-1 after finding his mother seriously hurt at the bottom of the stairs... and what would come to proceed would change his life forever. During the trial, Danny learns that his father is not the man he thought he always was and that he's been abusing his mother for years. So when his father receives a very light sentence, Danny, his younger sister, and his mother enter into a witness protection program complete with new identities and a new home... fearing for their lives. But Danny's not sure of anything anymore... least of all what the future has in store for him.

There were moments when I literally wanted to throw this book at a wall. My outrage matched Danny's mother's horror at learning that her soon to be ex-husband would be getting off light for what he had done. It was seriously upsetting to learn that after years of abuse- after his mother finally got the courage to speak up- that the Canadian legal justice system could fail them when they needed it to help them the most. I completely sympathized with Danny's mother and couldn't imagine the pain and anguish she must have felt when she heard the final verdict. She's a resilient and strong women though, so while many others would have simply given up, she doesn't give up hope for the future and focuses on her main priorities... protecting herself and her children.

Danny was a whole other matter though. Only thirteen years old, he's not quite old enough yet to recognize the seriousness of the situation or the years of abuse his mother has been hiding for quite some time. He doesn't fully believe that his father could be so dangerous and is angry at the way his life has changed so much in so little time. He begins to lash out at others, especially his mother, and acts like life sucks so he should just stop trying anymore. It was frustrating because it does seem natural that he would begin to act out, but I was also really disappointed with many of the choices he made in this novel.

The Second Trial is a novel about speaking up for yourself and finding the hidden courage you never thought you had. Life's not always easy and the bad guys do get away more often than they should... but this doesn't mean you just give up. It's a novel that touches on serious subjects but at the end of the day, it still remains to be a hopeful one.

*The Second Trial is nominated for the 2011 White Pine Award.*

You can also read this review at:
http://midnightbloomreads.blogspot.com/2011/02/second-trial-by-rosemarie-boll.html

Danny's life has been turned upside down in an instant. Or so it seems to him. One night he heard his parents fighting, and when he emerged from his room he found his mother unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. He had no idea that the phone call to 9-1-1 would start a chain of events that would change everything forever. Now he and his mother and little sister are about to start a whole new life, complete with new names and new identities. Danny is furious with his mother for forcing him to leave everything he loves behind and begins to bury himself in bitterness and anger. What will it take for Danny to come to terms with his new life?

The Second Trial is a well written, emotionally charged story that brought me to tears on more than one occasion. Danny and his family are realistic and endearing characters who display both strengths and weaknesses. Even when Danny is being unkind to others it's difficult to dislike him because one can't help but be sympathetic to his plight. The author does a wonderful job of detailing the stressful situations that arise when a family falls apart, and the frustration and despair of Danny and his mother are palpable. While the story is not action packed, there is a sense of urgency throughout because one simple mistake could ruin everything for Danny and his family.

A very convincing portrayal of the results that abuse can have on a family, The Second Trial will touch readers of all ages. Those whose lives have been affected by abuse will likely find this story even more poignant.

This is a sombre, solid debut from a veteran lawyer about a mother, son (the main character), and daughter who have to enter NIVA (Canadian equivalent of the U.S. Witness Protection Program) because of the father's psychotic behaviour and their struggle to adjust to new, forced, lives. Well done!