Customer Reviews

Opposing Viewpoints Digests - Gangs (hardcover edition)

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I'm a 17-year-old who started reading this book for my literature class and I thought it is a very informative book for teenagers. The book informs you of everything you want to know; it has a lot of good details. The book quotes exactly what the interviewers say. It gives an opportunity to those teens in gangs to explain why they join, what they feel, and what they want. This is a great book and I can read it more than 5 times and I won't get bored. I really recomend this book to everyone. It should be a "must read" book on every teen's list.

The Opposing Viewpoints series is a good series for students and others who are working on some of the hot button issues of today. Each volume contains essays and articles that explore the issues thoroughly from several different angles. Sometimes there are two clear sides, but sometimes it is a bit more nuanced.

This particular volume deals with the Gangs. The issues explored within the volume include the level of the problem in the United States; is this in fact a serious problem or one that is heighted by the media? Are gangs active outside major urban areas? The factors that influence gang membership are explored, including family issues, respect and self-esteem issues, and desire for money. The various palns for eliminating or reigning in gang activity are explored, including the idea that gangs themselves can be brought to end the violence by themselves.

Overall, this is a very good beginners book to the issue. It helps to set the guidelines for debate and discussion. There is an appendix with facts and statistics about the gangs and gang activities, study questions, further reading suggestions and an index. The author, Gail B. Stewart, has written over 80 books for children and young adults on a wide range of topics.