The Juvie Three is a cautionary tale about three boys who are on the wrong track but rise to the occasion when given a second chance. While their behavior lands their leader in the hospital and they certainly make some bad choices along the way, the three bond together to become more responsible citizens. Instead of running away and disappearing for good, the boys go to school, do their homework, get decent grades, attend therapy, and do community service. Because their fates are tied together, they police one another--if one steps off the straight and narrow, all three will end up back in jail. Even Terence, who at first wants to continue his life of crime and join a gang, is positively influenced by the other two boys, refusing to participate in a cruel gang initiation prank. The story becomes increasingly suspenseful the longer Mr. Healy is in the hospital and the boys' discovery becomes inevitable. Eventually, they try to do the right thing and come clean, taking the blame as a unified group. Two of the boys develop love interests and there is a bit of kissing. Language is mild and infrequent (h-ll, b-stard, hard-ss).
