John Otto

Marvin's Gift John Otto

Logan's classmates whisper behind his back. His dad is in jail for beating him. Logan just wants a normal family-with a mom and a dad at home. One evening, Logan lashes out in anger and destroys his sister's toy, one their dad gave to her. He decides to run away from home.

Logan packs his backpack and heads to the window. But before he can leave, an otherworldly visitor named Marvin shows up. He shares his own story of incarceration and redemption through a rehabilitation program at the prison. He helps Logan realize that people can change, even Logan's dad.

Marvin then gives Logan the tools to not only fix Emma's toy, but to deal with his anger about his dad.

A poignant tale about children dealing the trauma of an incarcerated parent or parents, as well as struggling with feelings of anger and sadness. It also introduces the Friends for Folks program, where prison inmates partner with veterinarians to rehabilitate abandoned, abused dogs. Training these dogs to be rescue dogs give the prisoners themselves training to work with animals, and to show compassion.