Gangs and the Abuse of Power (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) [Library Binding]

Stanley Tookie Williams (Author), Barbara C. Becnel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2003 | Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence

The co-founder of the Crips tells how gang members abuse the power they have to hurt others and ultimately hurt themselves.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4 Up--Before he landed in prison, Tookie Williams was an active gang leader in South Central L.A. and was seriously wounded by gunfire. In this series, he encourages readers to learn from his mistakes and his experiences in gang life. In simple, straightforward language, the young man describes why and how he became involved, what his life was like as a gang member, and how it led him further and further from the likelihood of a productive future. Each double-page spread features large print on glossy paper with lots of white space and a full-page color photograph. The pictures are generally of good to excellent quality. A good deal of background information is repeated from book to book and students may be turned off by the didactic, second-person treatment. Still, these titles have an important message and probably an audience--perhaps intermediate students, particularly reluctant readers, who have a need for a dose of reality on this topic.

Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 24 pages
• Publisher: PowerKids Press (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823923460
• ISBN-13: 978-0823923465
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,367,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not boring and more kids should be allowed to read these books, December 2, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Gangs and the Abuse of Power (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) (Library Binding)

I'm 8 years old, my name is Mariana and I live in Chicago. I hate street gangs. I have an uncle who joined a gang when he was young, and he always tells us stories sbout it and how its the biggest mistake for a young person to join a gang. He remembers when he was 19 and watched a friend beat up a old man. He thought it was funny at the time, but later felt real bad about it, and now gives money to the homeless shelter. I will never join a gang. To the San Diego youth officer that says that Mr. Williams books are boring to kids? You say you have better books for us to read, and that we should not be talked down to, but sorry, yes we do need strait talk not sweet talk. And the books are boring for you probly because your not a kid. Do you play with GI Joe, and do you know how it feels to be a leader when you are 19 years old? I do, and im not even 9 yet. Why? because someone who DOES know told me. The books will help. I would like to meet the author one day, and bring him to my friends houses so he can tell them in person. That would make a kid feel important. I don't care that he was a gang member. You can't change the past, but you can change the future.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Garbage, January 19, 2006

By 

C. Paterson (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gangs and the Abuse of Power (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) (Library Binding)

I found this book both insulting and a waste of time. I read it ony because of the hype on the media behind the whole Tookie circus.

28 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this book is HOT like radiation, June 6, 2001

By 

"swybs" (Union, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gangs and the Abuse of Power (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) (Paperback)

Maybe not for educators, most likely not for students, but for up and coming Lil Gs this book tells it like it is ... straight forward with excellent phonetic spellings in the back. This book steers you away from the bad and toward the good. Stay Clean and Say NO to glue. Dig the art, too, man. Pick this book up, G. Eighth Street Cadillac High Rollers in the House.