Dangerous Comrades : A Misadventure in Gang Affiliation

Rating:
Summary: Key to Understanding Gangs and Their Effect on Youths
Review: The dangers of gang affiliation are numerous. But the subject is not often touched upon in a manner suitable for younger readers. However, Julie Bonn Heath has taken the time to write Dangerous Comrades, a book designed for Jr. High aged readers to alert them and their parents to these perils. Within the covers of this story, she illustrates this through Dani's adventures.

Dani is a young teen who has just moved to a new area. None of the kids except those of the Fifty Fourth Street Gang have made an effort to be her friends. Almost before she realizes it, she's breaking the rules and getting into deep trouble. In this story, Julie Bonn Heath acquaints the readers with the ways that gang members recruit, the consequences for going in, trials with getting out, and the dangers involved in all these areas.

The material is suitable for young teens, since it shows the various aspects of gang life, such as stealing, literal back stabbing revenge, and smoking pot, to be both undesirable and troublesome. It is also a good book for parents to read, so that they know what to watch for in their kids. More teens than people realize are associated with gangs. But, as Ms. Heath demonstrates, these kids aren't too far for hope. So whether you're trying to get out of a gang or considering being involved in one or even don't know anything about them, this book is a key to understanding and escaping.


Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read for every tween and parent
Review: As a former gang member, I'm pleased to have had the opportunity to review this well written, cutting edge book on the inside picture of the gang life. Included are the subtleties of the deception to get one 'in', the family like feeling, and the betrayal.

This is a must read for all preteen and teenage youth. Parents can also definitely benefit from reading this book. If families read and discuss Dangerous Comrades: A Misadventure in Gang Affiliation, I believe that more kids will refrain from choosing gang affiliation. If you're a youth leader...your group will also benefit from reading this book!

Dangerous Comrades is also a great tool to help parents and youth leaders learn. Many may not understand what makes gang life so appealing and the true dangers that hide within a gang.

Rating:
Summary: Bridging the Gap
Review: Dangerous Comrades: A Misadventure in Gang Affiliation
by Julie Bonn Heath
Publish America
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN# 1-4137-0844-7

Having just completed a manuscript about street gangs myself, when I saw Ms. Heath's new book, Dangerous Comrades: A Misadventure in Gang Affiliation, I knew I had to read it. What I discovered over the next couple of days was an insight into a youth's way of thinking, and how serious peer pressure and the need for friendships really are.

Dani Winters begins the awkward and frightening task of making new friends, when her family moves to a new town due to her dad's company's steady growth.
Although Mr. Winters didn't mind the move, he didn't take into account how that move emotionally challenged his twelve-year old daughter in making new relationships.

Dani had made a couple of friends, who were members of a street gang, the 'Fifty-Fourth Street Pirates.' She didn't feel comfortable introducing them to her parents, which resulted in her telling lies and sneaking out of the house.

She feels accepted and loved by her new friends, especially M-Dog, who is as handsome as he is charming, and seems to be interested in her. One member even gave her fifty dollars for no reason at all, other then just being her friend.

Now feeling a sense of loyalty to her friends, Dani allows them to persuade her into taking part in stealing car stereos. One thing leads to another as she is identified and ends up on the wrong side of the law.

Does she find forgiveness with God in her spirit and make peace with those she has hurt? Be among the first ones to order this book, and share it with kids of all ages.

Julie Bonn Heath gives her readers a glimpse of what our kids are facing in today's world. As a mother of a twelve year old, I believe Dangerous Comrades: A Misadventure in Gang Affiliation is a practical way to open the door of communication with today's youth on the dangers of being involved with the wrong crowd.

Melody Ravert
Reviewer for 'Inspired By Faith' Book Reviews
www.inspiredbyfaith.tk

Rating:
Summary: If you've got a teen, read this book!
Review: New in town, twelve-year-old Dani Winters found it hard to make friends. So she is flattered and excited when a few kids purposely seek her out. She knows these new friends would not meet with her parents' approval and soon she is lying to her parents and sneaking out of her room to meet with them.

The two girls Shy and Pepper, and two boys, M-Dog and Loco -- members of the Fifty-Fourth Street Pirates, skillfully stroke Dani's hunger for friends. They even give her a gang jacket and bestow on her the official nick-name of Dani-girl. But Dani is caught climbing back into her room one night and she is placed on restriction and her allowance cut off. Now she'll never get her video game out of lay-a-way.

When Shy hands her fifty dollars to get that video game, Dani finds herself obligated. It doesn't take long before this group of 'friends' coerces her into doing something she really doesn't want to do - because she knows it's wrong. Yet, she DOES owe them. And they ARE her friends-aren't they?

DANGEROUS COMRADES tells the story that is all too current and painfully relevant. Gangs surround is in every city across the country. And they target our children when they sense insecurity, an apparent lack of close friends, new in town...myriad traps for the unwary. Gangs and gang activity is escalating at a horrific rate. Hardly a day goes by without a report of a gang-related crime, drive-by-shooting, and even the deaths of innocent bystanders caught in the cross-fire or backlash. It is truly alarming.

But this story is hardly new. As I read Dani's story, I was pulled back in time to David Wilkerson's CROSS AND THE SWITCHBLADE book, when...back in the 50's - 60's? This is a never-ending battle. Kids need to become aware. Parents need to be informed. This little book of 85 pages is an excellent start to that awareness. I urge every parent to get a copy and read it and encourage your children to read it. Dani is only twelve years old and she got snared into a potentially deadly situation. She was lucky. But not all gang members can escape. Many don't and are either still hopelessly ensnared with no way out-or dead.

Gang affiliation is not about fun. It is not about friends. Gangs ARE about vandalism, graffiti, drugs, stealing, beatings and killings. It is the embodiment of all that is evil sucking in our youth today. And it is deadly. If you suspect your child is involved in a gang, get help immediately.

DANGEROUS COMRADES - get the book. It may be a matter of life-or death for YOUR child.