NO MATTER HOW LOUD I SHOUT : A Year in the Life of Juvenile Court,   ISBN:9780684811956

Customer Rating: 

Much like Mr. Humes' "Monkey Girl," he combines great writing and outstanding investigative work to produce a must read book. To say that the current approach in dealing with children is disfunctional would be putting it mildly. A chronically underfunded juvenile system, a short-sighted or unaware populace and no political will to fix this huge cancer is very well depicted in the author's book. Most of the repeat offenders, identified in the system as Sixteen Percenters, know full well how laughably arbitrary and ineffective justice is meted out to them. Though the scenes depicted are about the Los Angeles' juvenile court system, it is indicative of a national problem. Even in my very low crime-rate state of Maine, people who have worked within our juvenile-court system have said that Mr. Humes analysis is right on the money. Though it was published in 1996, his reporting holds up to today's zeitgeist. The book was extremely compelling, but so infuriating that I could barely see straight. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go hug my two young sons, now.

Customer Rating: 

I needed this book quickly and was surprised that it arrived earlier than quoted. I would recommend as well as, order from this person again.

Customer Rating: 

The juvenile justice system in Los Angeles, as well as the system in place to protect juvenile victims of abuse and neglect, are both a public disgrace. Author Edward Humes offers no suggestions, but he opens up what was a closed world to the view of outsiders for the very first time; the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles has always hidden itself well from public view and criticism.

There is nothing joyful to be found within the pages of this book. It is deeply disturbing, especially for those of us who know the juvenile justice system and how it works. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in these issues.

Customer Rating: 

This is an exceptionally insightful book looking into the juvenile criminal justice system in L.A. It does a good job of illustrating the perspectives of all individuals involved, from "criminals" to "officials" and also shows gradients of right and wrong, and just how complicated and even faulty the system may be. It is very well written, and I highly recommend it.

Customer Rating: 

A great introduction into the juvenile criminal justice system. I actually went to work for a public defenders' office because of this book.

A more recent book I'd highly reccommend is "Last Chance In Texas." Ironically, Texas has perhaps the most progressive juvenile justice system in the country. This book tells how Texas' worst juvenile offenders had their lives changed for the better.