Eleven-year-old Perry T. Cook was born and raised by his mom at the Blue River Co-ed Correctional Facility in tiny Surprise, Nebraska. His mom is a resident there, and so far, Warden Daugherty has made it possible for them to be together. Then a new district attorney discovers the arrangement, and Perry is forced into a foster home. His mom's parole hearing is just weeks away, but she could end up getting more prison time because of their rule bending. Desperate to be reunited with his mom, Perry goes on a quest for answers about her crime. But as he gets closer to the truth, will the facts help them or hurt them?