MacKay, Jenny. Gangs .

MacKay, Jenny.     Gangs .      

Cengage (Gale,Lucent,Kidhaven/Blackbirch         

2011   112p   33.45  978-1-4205-0343-2           

hs/adult         Hot Topics (Lucent/Cengage)         VG-BNS          

Six chapters about gangs include the history & the culture of gangs, the

business aspect, the legal system (how gangs are organized as well as how our

police forces deal with gangs), the promotion of gang life and the effects of

gangs on society.       

In the United States, gangs originated for survival when

immigrants faced insurmountable odds.    Some gangs originated in response to

lawlessness in the Wild West.  Urban gangs arose in response to a need for self-

protection.  Whatever its origin, the typical gang combines 3 or more members,

criminal activity and some kind of identification device.  Examined in this book

are various topics including the culture and the business operations of gangs as

well as ways in which the legal system deals with gangs.  Songs, movies and the

news media have inadvertently promoted gangs, making them seem exciting or even

enviable.  Author Jenny MacKay describes all of this with clear organization and

solid research, ending with an examination of the cost to society.  Peppered

with photographs to support the text, quotations by a variety of contributors

and extra explanations separated from the basic text and highlighted in yellow

with red borders, the book offers something of interest to a student, a

researcher, a law enforcement agency, a city planner and/or a parent who hopes

to learn how to spot an at-risk teenager.  

The subject matter is advanced in

nature, making this book better for a more mature reader.  The notes and

bibliography are thorough, the list of organizations to contact for more

information is helpful and the index includes 4 pages of topics to find in the

book.  ╥Hot Topics╒╙ authors examine complex issues in an organized fashion,

present a detailed look at the most important topics to include about each issue

and provide a research tool for older teenagers as well as adults who  need a

starting point.            Squaresky, Martha

Friedman, Lauri. Dangerous Dues: What You Need To Know About Gangs.

Friedman, Lauri. Dangerous Dues: What You Need To Know About Gangs.
Compass Point Books/Capstone 2010 48p 27.99 978-0-7565-4253-5 ms/hs

What’s the issue (Compass Point) A chilling look at gang involvement based on teen interviews. This book does much to dispel the myth and glamour gangs have received in popular culture. Why does someone join a gang? Several reasons are given in answer this question. Some join a gang to substitute for a family others join to gain a feeling of power and respect and still others are compelled to join. Those that feel compelled to join do so for protection or because another family member was in one already. Sometimes people think they will like the lifestyle which they perceive as one of parties, money and ‘bling.’
Sadly, gang membership is not a benign brotherhood and children find out the costs too late. Gang initiation can include beating, rape and sometimes being made to commit a crime. Once in a gang it can be difficult to leave.
The final message here is that it is possible to find a better life and the experience of several individuals are given as a message of hope. To get the support needed to leave a gang contact information for several organizations are listed.
There is a brief glossary and index included as well are references to other sources.
Spadaro, Trish

McMullen, Margaret. Cashay.

McMullen, Margaret. Cashay.
Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher 2009 166p 15.00 978-0-547-07656-0 ms/hs

The personal thoughts and actions of 14 year old Cashay drive the plot which takes place after her younger sister is killed in the crossfire of a neighborhood gang. Cashay’s behavior reflects the anger feels after this tragedy. When she is given a mentor, their unlikely bond leads to a hopeful conclusion. The personal thoughts and actions of 14 year old Cashay, a child of an urban housing project in Chicago, drive the plot which takes place after her younger sister is killed in the crossfire of a neighborhood gang. With her mother turning to drugs after the loss of her child, Cashay is forced to fend for herself despite her own grief about her sister’s death. Cashay’s behavior reflects the anger she feels after this tragedy and when she is involved in a violent incident in the classroom, she is must see the school counselor who refers her to an after school program at the local Catholic Church, even though Cashay protests that she’s not Catholic. When matched with a mentor through the program, an unlikely bond develops between them. Allison, a high energy stockbroker, understands Cashay and provides solace to the teen. Cashay, in turn, offers Allison a chance to nurture and examine her own values. Although her neighborhood is fraught with danger, Cashay perseveres, getting a job, applying for a better school, and evading the shooter of her sister, who threatens her because she told the police. When the shooter endangers Cashay and invades her life with Allison, the plot takes a perilous turn. Cashay is such an authentic character and her voice is so strong that the reader will be totally drawn into this book. An excellent choice for middle and high school libraries, this title is recommended for Tristate Books of Note. Tina Weinraub

Elkeles, Simone Perfect Chemistry
Walker & Co 2009 360p 9.99 9780802798220 hs

Alex Fuentes is a gang member. Brittany Ellis is a blonde cheerleader from a wealthy family. Two teenagers from different worlds are about to collide and crossover boundaries into an unknown destiny of love and discovery. What transpires is a perfect chemistry that will have everyone questioning their values, feelings and reevaluating of their lives. A must read! Brittany appears to be the perfect golden girl head cheerleader, blonde wind blown hair, blue eyes, good grades and dating the captain of the football team. What no one knows is that Brittany leads a secret life full of family problems and is dealing with the care of a beloved sister that suffers from cerebral palsy.

Alejandro “Alex” fuentes is a gang member, owns a motorcycle, and acts like he is the man to be feared on campus. The truth; Alex fears for his two younger brothers and is hoping to be able to keep them from joining the gang. He is going to make sure they have a future even if it means he will have to sacrifice himself.

Then comes the day when school starts and in chemistry class the perfect girl has to sit next to the “mean” gang member. Mrs. Peterson the chemistry teacher is a teacher to be reckoned with and what she says goes. The project should have been simple but life is not simple and love is fickle. When Brittany and Alex sit next to each other and must interact with each other sparks always fly. But are these sparks the beginning of something else. The crossover is not easy and leaving the gang is not like getting out of a club. The choices these two teens face is full of questions, uncertainties, strange friendships, violence and even death.
Teens will love this book!!! MD

Perfect Chemistry.

Elkeles, Simone. Perfect Chemistry.
Walker & Co 2009 360p 9.99 9780802798220 hs

Alex Fuentes is a gang member. Brittany Ellis is a blonde cheerleader from a wealthy family. Two teenagers from different worlds are about to collide and crossover boundaries into an unknown destiny of love and discovery. What transpires is a perfect chemistry that will have everyone questioning their values, feelings and reevaluating of their lives. A must read! Brittany appears to be the perfect golden girl head cheerleader, blonde wind blown hair, blue eyes, good grades and dating the captain of the football team. What no one knows is that Brittany leads a secret life full of family problems and is dealing with the care of a beloved sister that suffers from cerebral palsy.

Alejandro "Alex" fuentes is a gang member, owns a motorcycle, and acts as if he is the man to be feared on campus. The truth; Alex fears for his two younger brothers and is hoping to be able to keep them from joining the gang. He is going to make sure they have a future even if it means he will have to sacrifice himself.

Then comes the day when school starts and in chemistry class the perfect girl has to sit next to the "mean" gang member. Mrs. Peterson the chemistry teacher is a teacher to be reckoned with and what she says goes. The project should have been simple but life is not simple and love is fickle. When Brittany and Alex sit next to each other and must interact with each other sparks always fly. But are these sparks the beginning of something else? The crossover is not easy and leaving the gang is not like getting out of a club. The choices these two teens face is full of questions, uncertainties, strange friendships, violence and even death.
Teens will love this book!!! MD