Boys and Criminal Justice in Young Adolescent Fiction

Abstract

In this article, books with male characters who have incarcerated parents, older siblings in prison, and who face their own incarceration or who have already faced punishment for breaking the law are introduced. Possible reader responses are given, as well as helpful ways to incorporate these novels into the curriculum. Finally, strategies for using these books in critical literacy discussions are provided.

Keywords:

• adolescent males
• criminal justice issues
• multicultural children's literature
• young adolescent literature