Gangs and Wanting to Belong (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) [Library Binding]

Stanley Williams (Author), Barbara Cottman Becnel (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence

A founder of the Crips discusses gangs, debunking the notion that belonging to a gang is the only way a kid can "fit in."

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding
• Publisher: Econo-Clad Books (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613026934
• ISBN-13: 978-0613026932
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,454,611 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic, April 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Gangs and Wanting to Belong (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) (Paperback)

This series of books is exceptional and realistic. As a former prison employee these books should be required reading for at risk youth, incarcerated youth and youth classified as adults serving time in adult prisons along with the employee's of schools, juvenile centers and prisons. These books should be on the shelf of every library, juvenile center, school and home. These books are reality....like it or not. A college degree from the street is a far cry from a degree from a traditional college,life experience is far different than reading books about life and studies conducted by white collar professionals. Tookie has his Phd from life experiences and has been there, done that. Children will listen and learn from these books far more than the dare officer who teaches just say no.

17 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Recommended for Educators, November 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Gangs and Wanting to Belong (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) (Library Binding)

I am a gang and youth violence expert working with the San Diego County Office of Education, Safe Schools Unit. I have alerted many of our schools about the series of books by Stanley "Tookie" Williams. I do not recommend the purchase of this book. The content of the books are not appropriate for young people. The images of gangs are not accurate (Too much negative sterotyping). The book is written in a simplistic style that will quickly bore young students. Youth need to critically examine information not be talked down to. You may email me for alternate suggestions for gang prevention books for youth.

2 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An American Folk Hero and Role Model for today's Youth, December 15, 2005

By 

James P. Mock "jpmock" (Torrance, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gangs and Wanting to Belong (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence) (Library Binding)

I find it interesting that the author would make such a wonderful effort to help children, after having murdered parents. I wonder if he sent autographed free copies to the children of the people he murdered.

I also find it interesting, that in over 20 years on death row, he was only able to write a handful of "children's books".

That these books would find their way into our public school systems, where this man takes on the role of Martyr and Folk Hero, speaks volumes about our schools.

The book is as shallow as the man who wrote it.