Customer Reviews

Gangs and Wanting to Belong (Tookie Speaks Out Against Gang Violence)

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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.

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.

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.