My Story Starts Here

October 14, 2019
In this eye-opening compilation, based on original interviews, Ellis (the Breadwinner series) allows Canadian young people who have experience with the criminal justice system to tell their own stories. In addition to a young person’s story, each chapter includes relevant research—rates of suicide and drug overdose for homeless youth, the high percentage of high school dropouts who do jail time. Sidebars include probing questions (“If your parents are not good role models, what can you do to find other mentors?”), and “Taking Steps” sections suggest positive, practical actions. While the young peoples’ family structures, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender, and sexual orientation vary greatly, common themes recur: domestic violence; foster care and group homes; early exposure to alcohol, drugs, and criminal behavior; and frequent moves and repeated school transfers. Stories also relay the powerful effect that kindness from teachers, foster parents, cops, and counselors can have on an individual’s ability to sustain hope, and they also make clear the benefits of alternatives such as diversion programs, which offer an opportunity to avoid a criminal record, and the restorative justice process, rooted in indigenous cultures. Ellis deftly combines heartbreaking recollections, stories of recovery, and concrete suggestions for cultivating resilience, while making a powerful argument for breaking cycles of trauma by investing in preventive measures. Ages 12–up.

October 1, 2019

Gr 7 Up-Ellis's collection of interviews offers a varied and deeply humanizing picture of young adults who have interacted with the criminal justice system. The book effectively ties the issue of youth in conflict to poverty, substance abuse, violence, intergenerational trauma, and failure of government programs to provide an adequate safety net to children and families. The volume offers an alternative to institutionalization in the restorative justice movement, which is defined as a process that culminates in an opportunity for the offender to "make restitution to the victim and to the community." Readers may wonder how much liberty the author has taken with editing the narratives, as the writing voice is noticeably consistent throughout the book despite a diverse interviewee cohort. This leads to a tone that feels inauthentic at times, but the benefit is a very clear, concise, and readable set of interviews. VERDICT A worthy addition to a middle or high school library, especially one that serves students in conflict. A sensitive and informed look at court-involved youth with writing that is thought provoking and precise, if somewhat specious.-Mallory Weber, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2019
Ellis' (Sit, 2017, etc.) compilation shares stories from Canadian youth and adult offenders, many of whom have experienced homelessness and been in and out of juvenile detention centers, foster homes, and group homes. Nearly all the people profiled had troubled childhoods, with parents or caregivers who were abusive, neglectful, substance abusers, or a combination of the above. The stories connect the history of physical and emotional violence in their families with the young people's own experiences of mental health challenges, anger, theft, drugs, and gangs, mirroring the negative models and environments they had growing up. The stories are compelling and dark, with some sharing how they have taken responsibility for the role they played in perpetuating the cycle of inflicting pain on others with their actions as well as how they have begun to turn their lives around, especially with the help of restorative justice practices and diversion programs. Each story is told in a short chapter of four to six pages. Text boxes offer discussion questions, action steps, and contextual information that could be used as prompts with teens. While the stories are quite moving, readers may wonder how Ellis gained access to these individuals; transparency regarding the sourcing and adaptation of the stories, as well as around agency, privilege, and civil rights of this vulnerable population, would have provided valuable ethical context. The people profiled represent diversity across multiple dimensions. A powerful collection. (references and resources) (Nonfiction. 13-18)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2019
Grades 9-12 Young people of different genders, sexual orientations, and ethnicities share powerful stories of being incarcerated or homeless. All but one are Canadian. They share how addictions and problems with anger led to incarceration for offenses like stealing or assault. Many of their parents were unfit to care for them because of their own drug, alcohol, and mental health issues. These stories are poignant, hopeful, and rage-inducing because so many of these young people were let down by abusive parents. Mothers, siblings, and older "voices of experience" also share their perspectives. Many stories are supplemented by statistics and sidebars on related topics, and focused questions allow the reader to consider each person's situation. Many of the contributors now have their own children, for whom they want a better life. They share their hopes for the future and offer advice for other young people. Their stories show how important social service support is for young people to help prevent them from committing crimes that can lead to incarceration.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)