45 pages • 1 hour read
True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall is a 2003 nonfiction book by Mark Salzman. In the first three chapters, Salzman, currently writing his latest novel, and stuck, begins volunteering as a writing teacher at Central Juvenile Hall, in Los Angeles. Mark has little connection with the correctional system, and is ambivalent about taking on the role. The facility leaves a powerful impression on Mark; he decides that it might prove to be helpful research for his novel, but not until he reads one outstanding essay from Ruben, an HRO, or "high risk offender," does he commit to participating. When Mark begins the class, the majority of his students are HROs—that is, students awaiting trial or sentencing for violent crimes.
In Chapters 4 through 6, Mark settles into his course. Aside from Duane, another writer who introduced Mark to the program, and Sister Janet, a nun working at Central Juvenile Hall, few of the staff at the facility are convinced the program will be of much use to the students, most of whom will be found guilty and receive lengthy sentences. Some of these students include Kevin Jackson, Unlock all 45 pages of this Study Guide Plus, gain access to 8,900+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
