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Hope and learning in the least likely place

June 26th, 2007 Mary K. - Central

True Notebooks: A Writer’s Year at Juvenile Hall is a surprising book. After all, one would think that life in a juvenile detention center would be very grim and difficult and in many ways it is.  But Mark Salzman, who was a volunteer writing instructor (drawn in by a very powerful nun, Sister Janet), conveys many things in his chronicle of his year as an instructor.  There is humor and sadness, some personal and revealing written pieces by his students, and some great discussions among the boys about all sorts of topics. 

Through these discussions and the writings we learn a lot about the lives of the boys before they were incarcerated.  Most of them were part of gangs, many were involved in gang related crimes and most of them have killed someone.  Salzman attends the trial and sentencing of one of them and learns a lot about the boy and the justice system.

These are  children who have committed serious crimes and are almost all destined for long prison sentences (most are sentenced in adult court), but some spend several years in the juvenile detention center.  There is enough time to graduate from high school, get confirmed, and do the other things that most teens take for granted.

This is a book about hope, learning, and change, set in an atmosphere where one might think those things don’t exist.  It is also a commentary on our justice system.   And it is very discussable, a good book group read.

Entry Filed under: Memoir & Biography, Nonfiction