Steve Harmon is facing one of the most terrifying situations of his life. He is looking at possible life in prison; an adult prison. Steve is only 16 years old. Steve got caught up in the inner city life of New York City where poverty, gangs, drugs, and violent crime influence urban survival for many kids every day. While waiting for his trial to take place, Steve starts to write down his experiences and feelings in jail waiting with some of the cities hardest criminals. He reflects on the series of events that led to the shooting on the fateful day. Steve’s writes in the genre of a movie script which includes all the mood details of each scene right down to the camera angles. The reader follows Steve and his emotional trip through the entire trial, witness examinations, opening and closing arguments, and taking the stand in his own defense. The reader can judge Steve like the jury and decide what his fate should be.Having teens in adult prisons has been a controversy for many years. Abuse by adult prisoners and even guards is more likely to occur to juvenile prisoners. Some states now have alternative prison systems for kids under a certain age, but there is still the question of what type a crime deserves the worst kind of punishment? Did Steve deserve a life sentence? Would an alternative prison be a better alternative for a kid like Steve. Is he worth the time and money for rehabilitation? Is Steve savable? What about his conspirators?
Walter Dean Myers has written a lot of books that deal with troubled teens and inner city life for minorities or people in poverty. His books have motivated many reluctant young male readers. I recommend Meyer's books to my students every year.
It sounds like he is telling the story to us from his journal that he has from inside the prison. Like in the book "When You Reach Me", the whole book is literally the letter she is writing to Marcus to guide him through his future.
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