It is June 1950 in Gracetown, Florida. Twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens, Jr., is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys. Robbie kicked the son of a white landowner while defending his older sister Gloria. But the nightmares are just beginning when Robbie is sent to the school called The Reformatory. Robbie can see ghosts or haints. But this talent is exposing the real horrors and crimes that has happened to the former students who have gone missing. Gloria is still trying to come up with a plan to get Robbie away from The Reformatory before it’s too late.
Tananarive Due brings a classic horror novel with a good mix of the horrendous history of the real Dozier School for Boys with The Reformatory. This story makes you want to delve into more of the background of the school. Robbie is a character that you will root for throughout the story. There’s also Robbie’s friends that help him along way while in The Reformatory. Due paints such a vivid picture with this story that you feel like you are in Florida in 1950. The Reformatory is a moving,historical haunting tale by Tananarive Due that will delight old and new fans of horror.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
