Gangs and Self-Esteem

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