A Kind and Just Parent
by William Ayers

      William Ayers introduces us to those involved with the juvenile justice system, the juveniles in particular. Rather than reading a headline about gang violence or young "superpredators," we see behind the headlines and learn about the actual children who, despite the tough-guy facades, are quite scared and vulnerable.

      The setting is Audy Home, a juvenile detention center in Chicago, overcrowded and racially disproportionate. Ayers observes the classes of Mr. B and Tobs, two amazingly dedicated teachers who truly try to make a difference. We meet about a dozen kids, and see that they are no different from any other children their age, notwithstanding the harsher situations, dimmer future outlooks and lack of freedom. They're smart and philosophical, reflective and sad, serious and funny.

      Nearly every day, the boys filter in Mr. B's classroom. They love and respect Mr. B, and he returns that love and respect. They read Afro-American authors, and discuss news stories, politics, their situations, their dreams, and occasionally the reasons they're in Audy. Alex, an old student of Tobs, comes into class to talk about life after Audy, which for most of these kids means adult prison, Joliet. A comparison of bullet wounds turns into a debate about death, fear and apathy. A number of chapters focus on individual inmates.

      Ito hates it when visitors walk through and gawk at them like monkeys in a zoo. His assertion that the visitors think they're all the same, gang-bangers and killers, is frightfully contested by Jeff. "Ito, you are a killer and a gang-banger." We learn that he's a poet, longing for his love, whom he credits with "drawing out into the light my beauty."

      Jesus wants to learn to read and write, believing that's his ticket to life. His room is filling up with unanswered letters, he gets a friend to read them to him. Ayers transcribes a letter for Jesus to copy later. He's in for a crime he says he didn't commit, a driveby in front of a school. He has in-depth discussions with Ayers on gangs, guns, protecting their neighborhood, loss of freedom, and about his daughter, who he's never seen, and doesn't want to while locked up.

      Andrew keeps a journal. He's one of five student playwrights working on a story about Audy Home called "Temporary Lockdown." He explains how Mr. B and Tobs are both like "popses" to him.

      Freddie has a long rap list, from drug dealing to possession of a firearm to assault. He's sure he'll beat his current case as he beat his cases for shooting a girl with a BB gun and hitting a rival gang member in the head with a hammer. He's taking Bible studies and wants to get any legitimate job he can find after getting out. Then, the world will notice him, the next Dennis Rodman.

      A few chapters focus on the history of juvenile courts, the history of punishment, and things of the like. While not as interesting or pity-invoking as the pictures of each individual kid, they are good background and probably necessary for the purpose of the book. It has reform-evoking undertones, but the vast majority of people already believe the juvenile justice system needs major reformation.

      Despite a few slow points mentioned in the above paragraph, overall, the book is awesome. No more "killer kids" headlines molding our opinions on juveniles and juvenile crime, we get a true-color image of the children of the juvenile justice system that defies the uninformed opinions we've already concocted.

Teen Legal Rights:
A Guide for the '90s
by Kathleen A. Hempelman

      This is like a big question and answer book for whatever you need to know about teens and the law. How many times have you asked yourself "If teens who are too young marry in their home state are married in a state where they are old enough to marry without parental consent, is the marriage legal?" or "If a young person lends the family car to a friend or lets someone else do the driving, can the minor's parents be held responsible for injuries or property damage caused by the other driver?"

      The book is broken into eighteen chapters on certain topics, then broken into more specific topics, then broken into specific questions. The main chapters are: Behind the Wheel, At School, At Home, On the Job, On Your Own, Your Personal Appearance, If Your Parents Divorce, Your Sexual Life, Marrying and Having Children, Your Right to Be Healthy and Safe from Abuse, Alcohol and Drugs, Teens and Crime, Age, Race, and Sex Discrimination, Gay and Lesbian Teens, Property Rights and Crimes Against Property, Entering Into Contracts, Taking Matters to Court, and How to Find the Law. It's a great reference if you have a specific question, and it's great if you simply want to become more proficient on all aspects of teen rights and laws affecting youth.

Puberty Strike

      I'd be able to give a much better review of this zine, if it wasn't "lost" in Nemomancer's house. He'd better find it soon, I payed $1 for this at a local zine festival.

      It covers the important aspects of being a teen, such as sneaking into theaters, eating those lick-a-stick candies, throwing cans of creamed corn under cars, old school rap and attire, the Goonies and other fine films, etc., etc. It also contains interviews and stories from a bunch of teen-band members which are pretty phat. This zine would definately be worth my dollar if Nemomancer would give it back. Send $1 and two stamps to Seth, 2007E. 3rd St., Tucson, AZ 85719.