Lockdown

Lockdown
by Walter Dean Myers

2011 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book

Teens

Maurice 'Reese' Anderson is a 14 year old boy that is currently being held in an institution for juvenile delinquents called Progress.  Reese was convicted of stealing prescription pads from a local clinic and selling them to known drug dealers.  The book describes prison life and the relationships that develop in prison.  Reese's character is revealed when he stands up for a younger, vulnerable inmate, Toon and through his love for his younger sister, Icy.  Reese is chosen to participate in a work release program near the end of his sentence and  is assigned to a nursing home, Evergreen, where he meets Mr. Hooft.  Mr. Hooft is a survivor of a Japanese youth prison camp during WWII.  Although he professes to not like African Americans or criminals, he grows fond of Reese and has a lot of good advice to offer.

Walter Dean Myers does a remarkable job of relating day to day life in prison and highlighting how difficult it is for children raised on the streets to break the cycle of violence and crime.  The characters are well developed and I came to understand Reese and the reasons that brought him to this point in his life.  Myers also has a message for readers about the importance of having a plan for your life and working hard to accomplish goals.  The message is not overpowering for readers, it simply flows from the story.

Here is a book trailer I created using Animoto.