Gangs and Self-Esteem (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) [Hardcover]

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

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2003

A co-founder of the Crips extolls the benefits of not joining a gang.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-Gang leader Stanley "Tookie" Williams, founder of L.A.'s notorious Crips, has co-authored a series on gang-prevention from death row. This entry presents simplistic advice on why it is more important to feel good about oneself than to worry about having a "rep" as a tough guy. The text is set in large type that is replete with bold type words that are defined in the glossary. Each double-page chapter offers a full-color photo opposite a paragraph or two about self-esteem. Some photos are obviously posed; others illustrate the violence of gangs. Tookie's advice is straightforward, repetitive, and based on his experiences: "So keep trying to be a good person. I did it. You can do it too. I know you can." While the advice may seem condescending to sophisticated readers, these books are being used successfully in gang-prevention programs-even with preschoolers. Perhaps worth trying in communities with gang problems, this title's success will depend upon how kids react to the message-and the "rep" of the messenger.-Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

Tookie learned the hard way that belonging to a gang is not smart. I salute him for his courage and determination to overcome his circumstances. --Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: PowerKids Press; 1 edition (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823923444
• ISBN-13: 978-0823923441
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,325,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars " It's real", February 15, 2001

By 

Ruth S. Barenbaum "garbocat" (E. Middlebury, VT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gangs and Self-Esteem (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) (Paperback)

As a literacy professional and a volunteer in the Alternatives to Violence Project, I had serious questions about the Tookie books until I offered"Gangs and Self Esteem" to a incarcerated student, who read it with an intensity I had not seen before. He asked again and again where he could buy it - something I'd also never seen. I think these books are valuable. The author has credibility. The concepts and information they provide are important and the repetitions serve to underline them.The situations provoke personal stories & discussion which can be used to extend into personal writing and journals. I do think the publishers have make big mistakes. They have altered "street speech" into standard English. The photos are inappropriate and full of stereotypes. The age level seems all o ver the place. I agree that they are not for teens, but the simplicity of the language IS appropriate for older students with reading problems. I suggested to my student that he write Tookie with his ideas. In my opinion, the book company is trying to market these books to every age and condition of kids - and I wish Tookie could have more say about his audience and tailor the design decisions to them. I don't like the "pronunciation helps" in parentheses, or the "glossary". This was really "talking down". And I do think Tookie could write us a book designed for more literate kids. But hats off to everybody involved in publishing somthing we really need, even if it's not perfect.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Youth Intervention Book, April 11, 2004

By 

Inmate Navigator (USA,CA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gangs and Self-Esteem (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) (Hardcover)

This book is a great resource for youth in our trouble times. The best teachers are those who lived that experince, and NOT those on the peace officer side. If your youth is going down that road or live in that urban area where youth are not directed, then get a copy and pass it on.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My students love these books!, November 29, 2005

By 

D. Boswell (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gangs and Self-Esteem (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) (Paperback)

I do not have to ask my students to read these books, they ask me IF I will let them read them! I have seven of this series, as well as his autobiographical "Life in Prison". We have been reading the books and looking up current information on the internet. The students are learning much from Tookie's mistakes and are pledging to not follow in his footsteps. I am hopeful that this is a lesson they will carry with them throughout life.