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Summary: Writing From the Inside Out: A Good Thing to Do
Review: Mark Salzman invites the students at the LA Youth Authority to express themselves in writing and he records their reflections in TRUE NOTEBOOKS. In their own words, they voice their love for the mothers, their anger at their absent fathers, and their remorse for their mistakes/crimes. Most believe in God and are committed to changing their lives for the better. But, most won't get the chance because today's juvenile justice system is not about rehabilitation; it is about punishment. And, most comment that their "home" environments have contributed to their criminal behaviors, so going home is not an answer for a "homie." The boys' conversations describe the monotonous routine of the monastic, sterile detention center where they feel like rats in a failing experiment and showing emotions is not allowed. But, all the boys cry in their cells and their sorrow turns to anger. Tao says that society will face the consequences of the "benefit of lockin' kids up and throwin' away the key." When these adult prisoners are released, they will get "revenge." So, why do Mr. Sills, Sister Janet, and Mark try to do anything positive for these kids? After all, making them feel special is dangerous because it creates an individual who may resist the "program." Salzman asks, "What is the value of a positive experience if it is only temporary?" His answer is simply this: " ... a little good has got to be better than no good at all." Mark Salzman has recorded the students' dialogue and selected writings that accurately describe our present juvenile justice system. They ask the important questions that society needs to reflect on and answer. At the end of the book, Salzman gives a website for the InsideOutWriters program. You might be interested in checking that out. You might also be interested in reading about my personal experiences teaching in a juvenile detention center at my personal website. Look under teaching strategies/archives/juvenile justice?.
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Summary: HARSH REALITYS!
Review: Mark Salzman invites you into the harsh reality of our judicial system. Salzman introduces us to his students, allowing the reader to more clearly understand his students and their backgrounds. His writing class enables the students to express their feelings towards their environment and offers a glimpse into their backgrounds. This book reads as a fiction but is a genuine portrayal of their lives. A captivate read and highly recommend.
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Summary: Must Read for Everyone
Review: Mark Salzman needs to be congratulated for volunteering to teach a creative writing class to juveniles in jail for severe crimes (most have committed murder) and being able to share his experiences in this fabulous book. His class becomes an avenue of release for these inmates to vent their frustrations at the system, their horrible family lives and life in general. Of course, he does not ignore responsibility of these kids for choosing to commit these crimes and that they should shoulder the consequences. However, through their own words we get a snapshot into what drove them to their crimes, and how the legal and penal system fails to stop them from becoming career criminals with its emphasis on jail time over everything else. It is amazing to read the high-quality writing from most of the class that would shame any amateur writer like myself and shows the capability of the so called "dregs" of society if given the chance that Salzman gives
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Summary: An Eye Opening Collection of Suppresed Voices
Review: Mark Salzman's True Notebooks is a genuine resource that details the individuals and stories behind the violence they created. When Mark was first offered this assignment, he was very insecure about it and had to force himself visit the detention facility. Little did he know he was going through the same misconceptions about these kids as the rest of society. As with most documentaries, there is no plot being told; rather a message that does it's best to convey the same type of impact on us as it did him. During the book's progress, don't be surprised to find yourself feeling sorry for the people who have done the unthinkable as the author does a fine job channeling the kids often sobering thoughts into words on paper, giving the youth an opportunity life did not give them before. By doing this Mark develops a bond with the delinquents understanding he is helping them reclaim their true identities and feels obligated to come to the facility. Unfortunately these benefits will turn into hardships down the road for most of the kids as showing any sort of weakness is suicide in the adult system. So these people that are supposed to be getting rehabilitated are caught in the same web they got themselves into on the "outs." On the other hand, releasing their feelings and knowledge is an effective way to help people who still have a chance to turn the ship around. The only issue I ran into was in a couple of areas it seemed like the author trimmed some of the fat.
Certain ideas could use some fleshing out, including Mark's overall reaction and conclusion about the whole situation. Some additional information on the circumstances of the crimes to relate more to the writings wouldn't of hurt either. Otherwise it's a well done book deserving of everyone's attention.
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Summary: Authentic
Review: Mark Salzman's writing always makes me shiver, but TRUE NOTEBOOKS also kept me up all night. Reading. Wishing. Writing. Salzman uses the powerful, authentic voices of his students and lets the story live in their words as well as his own. It's inspirational, leaving me yearning for a reform of the juvenile justice and social service systems.
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Summary: The Discomfort of Truth
Review: My daughter, soon graduating with honors with a degree in social work and planning a career working with at-risk youth and juvenile offenders, is currently completing an internship in the probate courts. Her work, to boil it down to its essence, is to champion the young people society has forgotten. She stands up in the courtroom as they are about to be tried and sentenced, offering an articulate perspective on the background of these young lives so few seem to care about any longer. Certainly, a great many of these youth are without champions among their own family members, even fewer champions in society in general. When I picked up Salzman's "True Notebooks," I expected it would give me more insight into the world my daughter is now entering. I, too, have spent some time visiting various at-risk youth homes and juvenile centers and prisons. I found the deeper insights I was looking for. I recognized my own mirrored insights in Salzman's experiences in a Los Angeles Juvenile Detention facility. My understanding of my daughter's passion for her developing career was expanded. The United States has the world's largest prison system. We are the only country to my knowledge that sentences juveniles to the death penalty. While crime rates for juveniles have actually dipped, the detention facilities become increasingly crowded and increasingly ineffective in rehabilitating these young souls. Should we not ask why? Should we not seek these deeper insights? Salzman's account is invaluable in disspelling the dispassionate views of many who are only too ready to blame others (oh, but it does take a village!) for the losses within our younger generations. He fears the unknown, as we all do, when he enters this facility and first touches on the lives of these young criminals. For they have committed crimes, many of which are serious, even brutal, but to know only this about them is to know and understand, and, more importantly, solve nothing. I can remember the first time I walked into a similar youth detention facility to meet similar "gangbangers" and offenders. I was afraid. I didn't know what to expect. What I found, almost exactly as Salzman relates in his book, were children like all children. The only difference was that these young offenders had come through the filter of neglect, abuse, and apathy that would transform most any of us into a deeply damaged psyche. But for that, they had the same hearts with the same dreams, the same aches, the same longings, the same confusions, the same hopes. Looking into their faces, I found myself looking back at myself, at my own children. If a few of us have been given the role in society to pass judgment, then we must do so armed with knowledge and understanding of those we judge. Salzman's book helps us to gain some of that much needed knowledge and understanding. Highly recommended reading.
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Summary: Do not miss this book!
Review: One of the best books I have ever read, certainly the best this year. I feared it might be sentimental or preachy, but Salzman's approach is so fresh, honest, unexpected and funny. Strange to say about a book about juvenile deliquents, but it's totally entertaining. The characters are full and vibrant, and Salzman lets their voices come through in every chapter. The ending is surprising in its impact -- so moving, I couldn't breathe for a moment. I read this book in two sittings. I've liked all of Salzman's books but this may be his finest.
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Summary: Read this book if...
Review: Read this book if you need to be reminded of the beauty of giving; if you do not believe that society's lost children have anything to offer (you will be enlightened and amazed); if you've forgetten that teachers learn volumes from those whom they teach; if you want to listen to inspiring, complex, heartwrenching, and surprisingly melodic voices; if you need a nudge to "get involoved."; if you want to laugh; if you've lost hope. Read this book.
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Summary: A truly moving read
Review: Salzman's latest is my favorite of his so far. It is not some glossy "To Sir, With Love" or "Dangerous Minds" but a real, insightful glimpse into the world of juvenile delinquents, showing them at their most vulnerable. Their stories (in their own words) are depressing, funny, heart wrenching and violent - but all are brutally honest. Their writings are framed by Salzman's thoughtful and spare prose; without judging these troubled kids he helps us appreciate how they became who they are. It is not a hopeful book, but it does build compassion and understanding, which is much more useful than hope. It is a fantastic book.
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Summary: Powerful...Salzman does it again...
Review: Since Mark Salzman is one of my favorite writers, I couldn't wait to read his new work of non-fiction. Lost In Place made me laugh so hard in some parts that I cried, but in True Notebooks, I cried for different reasons. This book chronicles Salzman's experiences as a volunteer writing instructor in L.A.'s Central Juvenile Hall. This could have easily been one of those memoirs where readers are taken down a "feel good-I'm such a noble guy" journey. We have all seen Hollywood renditions of such situations, but Salzman doesn't portray himself as a hero. Instead, he reveals his doubts, fears, and insecurities right along with those of the juvenile offenders he works with. Without intending to, this book makes a powerful political statement as to why juveniles should not be tried as adults and how the justice system fails too many poor and minority youth. I was moved by the writing that these young men produced, and you will be, too. As an English teacher, I only dream of getting such work turned in to me. As expected in a book such as this, there is no happy ending. But, Salzman has truly given these young men a voice by helping each find his own through the written word.
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