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Lockdown
When I first got to Progress, it freaked me out to be locked in a room and unable to get out. But after a while, when you got to thinking about it, you knew nobody could get in, either.
It seems as if the only progress that's going on at Progress juvenile facility is moving from juvy jail to real jail. Reese wants out early, but is he supposed to just sit back and let his friend Toon get jumped? Then Reese gets a second chance when he's picked for the work program at a senior citizens' home. He doesn't mean to keep messing up, but it's not so easy, at Progress or in life. One of the residents, Mr. Hooft, gives him a particularly hard time. If he can convince Mr. Hooft that he's a decent person, not a criminal, maybe he'll be able to convince himself.
Acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers offers an honest story about finding a way to make it without getting lost in the shuffle.
It seems as if the only progress that's going on at Progress juvenile facility is moving from juvy jail to real jail. Reese wants out early, but is he supposed to just sit back and let his friend Toon get jumped? Then Reese gets a second chance when he's picked for the work program at a senior citizens' home. He doesn't mean to keep messing up, but it's not so easy, at Progress or in life. One of the residents, Mr. Hooft, gives him a particularly hard time. If he can convince Mr. Hooft that he's a decent person, not a criminal, maybe he'll be able to convince himself.
Acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers offers an honest story about finding a way to make it without getting lost in the shuffle.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2010
180 people are currently reading
1654 people want to read
About the author
Walter Dean Myers
232 books1,183 followerspseudonyms:
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.
Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.
In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.
Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.
In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 411 reviews
November 15, 2010
Start your story with a fourteen-year-old boy. He’s African-American. His father is not always around, and is abusive when he is. His mother is an addict. Most of the kids he knows are thugs.
He’s doing time for stealing a doctor’s prescription pad. Locked up in a dirty, tough New York juvenile facility, ironically named the Progress Center, he’s trying to walk a thin line between maintaining some dignity and staying meek enough to earn his release.
The story has to be in first person. It has to be straightforward and plainspoken. No riots or gangbanging. The only death caused by old age, and perhaps heartbreak. The voice has to be true, but also accessible, without relying on hip-hop slang or any other form of time-dated urban cultural baggage.
The boy has to be a good kid.
Those are not the broadest of parameters. Walter Dean Myers, author of the simple, gripping ‘Lockdown,’ makes it look like he’s got all the room in the world, and gets his reader rooting for Maurice ‘Reese’ Anderson, who desperately wants to be a good person leading a rewarding life.
Reese immediately shows his character when a twelve-year-old Progress inmate, the vulnerable Toon, is jumped. Trying to ignore Toon’s cuts and bruises—‘I couldn’t stand up for him and risk getting disciplined’—doesn’t work, and soon Reese is involved. Getting noticed by guards and administrators could mean the end of his work program, helping out at an old people’s home.
At Evergreen, Reese’s compassion is again demonstrated as he puts up with the bigoted remarks of the lonely Mr. Hooft, and eventually forms a friendship with him.
Reese’s humanity is especially evident in his relationship with his little sister, Icy, the protective way he treats her, his desire to preserve her sense of hope, wonder and naiveté.
His connections to others, Reese realizes, are what give him identity and strength, and enable him to negotiate the mean hallways of Progress with a chance to get out and not come back, or worse, move upstate to a real jail.
‘Being alive wasn’t just about breathing and whatnot,’ Reese says. ‘It was like you could look around and somebody else would notice that you were alive.’
Readers of ‘Lockdown’ will notice that Reese is vibrantly and emphatically alive, and will be captivated by his struggle to have that mean something in a society that doesn’t give him much help.
Short and easy to read. Highly recommended for sixth graders on up.
He’s doing time for stealing a doctor’s prescription pad. Locked up in a dirty, tough New York juvenile facility, ironically named the Progress Center, he’s trying to walk a thin line between maintaining some dignity and staying meek enough to earn his release.
The story has to be in first person. It has to be straightforward and plainspoken. No riots or gangbanging. The only death caused by old age, and perhaps heartbreak. The voice has to be true, but also accessible, without relying on hip-hop slang or any other form of time-dated urban cultural baggage.
The boy has to be a good kid.
Those are not the broadest of parameters. Walter Dean Myers, author of the simple, gripping ‘Lockdown,’ makes it look like he’s got all the room in the world, and gets his reader rooting for Maurice ‘Reese’ Anderson, who desperately wants to be a good person leading a rewarding life.
Reese immediately shows his character when a twelve-year-old Progress inmate, the vulnerable Toon, is jumped. Trying to ignore Toon’s cuts and bruises—‘I couldn’t stand up for him and risk getting disciplined’—doesn’t work, and soon Reese is involved. Getting noticed by guards and administrators could mean the end of his work program, helping out at an old people’s home.
At Evergreen, Reese’s compassion is again demonstrated as he puts up with the bigoted remarks of the lonely Mr. Hooft, and eventually forms a friendship with him.
Reese’s humanity is especially evident in his relationship with his little sister, Icy, the protective way he treats her, his desire to preserve her sense of hope, wonder and naiveté.
His connections to others, Reese realizes, are what give him identity and strength, and enable him to negotiate the mean hallways of Progress with a chance to get out and not come back, or worse, move upstate to a real jail.
‘Being alive wasn’t just about breathing and whatnot,’ Reese says. ‘It was like you could look around and somebody else would notice that you were alive.’
Readers of ‘Lockdown’ will notice that Reese is vibrantly and emphatically alive, and will be captivated by his struggle to have that mean something in a society that doesn’t give him much help.
Short and easy to read. Highly recommended for sixth graders on up.
February 27, 2011
Reese is 14 and in the second year of his sentence at the Progress juvenile detention center. He was arrested and convicted for stealing a doctor's prescription pads, and selling them to a drug dealer. If he behaves and follows all the rules, he might be able to get out early, especially if he gets good reports from his work assignment at a nearby nursing home. If he can't manage that, he'll get sent "upstate" and the prison there is far worse, with much less chance of getting out alive. Reese is smart, but he's made mistakes, and he knows the system will hold those against him... as well as the fact that his mother is an addict, his stepfather is abusive, and his family lives in the projects. Reese has hope, courage, and struggles every day to balance the choices he makes. If he stands up for a weaker boy, the inevitable fight will mean more time added to his sentence, but if he stands by and does nothing, he loses his self-respect. His goal is to get out and find a legit way to earn money to send his little sister Icy to college and get her out of the trap of poverty and crime, but to do that he has to get through the rest of his time at Progress. Actions and consequences are everything. The situations are realistic and uncertain, with threatened and real violence. Some language, but this is an honest part of the story... the conversations wouldn't ring true for imprisoned inner city thugs and thieves otherwise. 8th grade and up.
March 3, 2010
Walter Dean Myers has spent a lot of time with teenagers, inside and outside of juvenile detention centers, and it shows. This book about 14-year-old Reese in juvie lockup is not full of perfect happy endings and miracle cures. Reese isn't a bad guy, though he was born into bad circumstances and has made a bad decision (yes, he's in juvie because he's guilty). It's easy to get dragged down to the level of the most hopeless in juvenile detention and on the streets. Working at a home for the elderly gives Reese some perspective on happiness and his life. He also has a sister who is his heart and a couple of officers at the detention center who have some faith in him. But is it enough to get him through?
I really found this book interesting and read it very quickly. It is not the world's best constructed book -- story lines picked up and dropped quickly, some plot points don't seem to have a purpose at all -- but then life isn't so well-constructed, either. Reese's voice and problems were convincing and compelling.
Grades 8+
I really found this book interesting and read it very quickly. It is not the world's best constructed book -- story lines picked up and dropped quickly, some plot points don't seem to have a purpose at all -- but then life isn't so well-constructed, either. Reese's voice and problems were convincing and compelling.
Grades 8+
August 27, 2015
The book "LockDown" was interesting because Walter Dean Myers explains how Reese's situation is difficult and planning on how him and Toon are gonna make their way out of Progress. The reason why Reese is in a difficult situation is because he got caught up stealing meds for a drug dealer named Freddie but the detectives are trying to plant more things on him. When Reese talked to the people that are trying to let him go asks him what he's going to do with his life and says he gonna change his life around and take care of his sister,Isis and also try to take care of his mother which abuses drugs.
My opinion is that this book really teaches you a lot about the world and how you should do better and not take the easy way out. I feel like as a teenager people should read Walter Dean Myers books because their so touching and most of the books are true and not made up with bull doo doo.
My opinion is that this book really teaches you a lot about the world and how you should do better and not take the easy way out. I feel like as a teenager people should read Walter Dean Myers books because their so touching and most of the books are true and not made up with bull doo doo.
January 17, 2012
Quick read, but has some language. Story of a 15 year old boy who is in jail for stealing a drug prescription pad and trying to figure out how to straighten out his life when he gets out.
November 4, 2025
I enjoyed reading about Reese, but the plot felt lacking. I hope Icy got her Princeton diploma!
March 21, 2019
The book "Lockdown" tells the story about a boy named Reece who explains how he acted and how he survived in a juvenile detention center. I loved this book, and I loved the protagonist. At first, I was only interested in the fights that happened in this book but once Reece shared his thoughts more I got really into the book. The ending, however, ruined the book. It felt rushed and it really made me dislike the protagonist. It was like the author was being lazy and didn't wanna put the effort to put a good ending for the book so that's why I put three stars. I kind of understand what the author was doing though, he made the ending sound very realistic because not everyone has a good ending, sometimes they go back to bad habits or they are just trying to get by one day at a time. So, if this author wanted to make the ending sound like this put it in a different version so it doesn't sound like a 5th grader wrote it.
March 13, 2020
3.5 stars. Lockdown is a story about Reese, a 14-year-old African American boy who is serving time in a juvenile detention center because he stole prescription pads two years ago. Even though this book is classified as YA, it weighed me down . Reese faces so much systemic injustice, surrounded by adults who treat him like a criminal, and everything in his life seems to pull him toward a cycle of crime and prison.
Reese's love for his sister Icy, as well as his thoughtful, analytical commentary, saved this book from being completely a heavy read. Though the book is at times painfully realistic and unjust, I found myself always rooting for Reese and hoping against hope that everything would work out for him and his family.
Overall, a quick read with a lot of needed insight into the flaws of the juvenile criminal justice system, important commentary on race and education, some truly hate-worthy but incredibly complex characters (Mr. Pugh, Mr. Hooft, the police detectives...the list goes on), some sympathetic characters (also Mr. Hooft, Icy, Toon), and finally the wonderful main character that is Reese.
Reese's love for his sister Icy, as well as his thoughtful, analytical commentary, saved this book from being completely a heavy read. Though the book is at times painfully realistic and unjust, I found myself always rooting for Reese and hoping against hope that everything would work out for him and his family.
Overall, a quick read with a lot of needed insight into the flaws of the juvenile criminal justice system, important commentary on race and education, some truly hate-worthy but incredibly complex characters (Mr. Pugh, Mr. Hooft, the police detectives...the list goes on), some sympathetic characters (also Mr. Hooft, Icy, Toon), and finally the wonderful main character that is Reese.
June 15, 2011
Perhaps more of a 2.75--how's that for hedging? The story is fairly obvious, no surprises, could be construed as didactic, but wouldn't it make sense for a juvie-based novel to have a message: don't do crimes and don't end up in jail? Well, this one has that message, and it's a good one, but I wish the characters beyond the protagonist had interested me a bit more. On the other hand, it's a pretty good pick for reluctant readers who will be interested in the day-to-day of life and fights inside for 14-year-old Reese, his work program at an old-folks home where he meets a dying man named Mr. Hooft, and the little sister that helps to motivate him to be one of the small percentage of kids like him--black, poor, with screwed up parents--who can make it and live straight after doing juvie time. There are some bad-asses in Progress who want to jump in or beat up a small Indian kid, and Reese has some hard decisions to make about how much he can help the little dude they call Toon without screwing up his own chances of getting out and getting home. The situations seem fairly realistic with the exception of a lack of teen and street language, but I guess that makes it pretty much clean enough for middle school and not much of a library shelf wave-maker.
November 12, 2015
Reese Anderson is given an opportunity to spend time helping in a nursing home as a break from an institution he has been housed in for two years. He is being punished for a crime involving drugs. He is only 14. At the nursing home, he meets a resident named Mr. Hooft. Although their relationship is contentious at the start, they eventually get to know one another. It turns out that Reese grows to understand some lessons about life from Mr. Hooft. By the end of the book, the reader feels very hopeful that Reese will be able to get his life on track. This book is truthful because you never know who you are going to meet who might help you on YOUR life's journey. The only thing I wished for from this book was more conversations between Reese and Mr. Hooft. Although, I must admit, what was portrayed was probably realistic because they would have not had that much time to spend together/talk.
March 6, 2020
This book is not for those who would want to read a non-fiction fairy tale. This book is very realistic and has true in site on what it is like to be in prison at a young age from a first person view. 14-year-old Reese is battling a charge of stealing prescription pads and giving them to a drug dealer to sell. This young child is very committed to his sister’s future though it may not seem like it comparing to his own path. He does not want his sister to end up like anyone else in his family. While facing his sentence in the prison, the child struggles with racism and unfair treatment of the system.
Reese is sentenced to jail but also works in a nursing home while serving his time. He works at Evergreen where he collected trash and does other duties. He seems like a very unproblematic kid but while in jail he runs into some conflicts. He tries his best to stay out of fights but when his friend Toon is getting picked on it takes all he strength to not defend him. Reese knows that getting into a fight or drama in the facility will get him kicked out of the program with the nursing home and he doesn’t want that.
The point they are trying to get across the most in this book or the theme would be no matter how hard you try things do not always turn out the way you want. I like this theme of the book because it is very realistic. No matter how much you try to prevent something, the outcome always has a chance of turning out the way you don’t want it to, but that is just life. Reese tried very hard to prevent getting into fights but some how he always seemed to get into trouble.
“Each time I think there is no place lower to go, I find that there is at least one place that will mess you up worse than you were.” This quote is well known in the book because it supports the theme. This quote is Reese realizing that not everything will go your way in life. From his racial issues that he is facing in the facility to him not being able to help his sister succeed in life as much as he wants to. Reese’s relationship with his drug addicted mom is also not exactly what he wants it to be, and it just seems to keep getting worse as he thinks they are getting better. Reese wants the best for his family but soon comes to realize that he can not change the damage that has already been done to his family when he realized his mom is using his program for money.
This book has a very good take on a real look at life. The first-person view helps the reader get inside the mind of Reese as he is battling the struggles of life as a 14-year-old. The authors tone and theme of this book was perfect for the situation and I would read more of his work! Reese has had to grow up a lot for one charge and now this has forever affected his family relationships and his life. He learns more about his relationship with his mother and opens his eyes to how badly he wants to help his little sister Icy succeed in life.
Reese is sentenced to jail but also works in a nursing home while serving his time. He works at Evergreen where he collected trash and does other duties. He seems like a very unproblematic kid but while in jail he runs into some conflicts. He tries his best to stay out of fights but when his friend Toon is getting picked on it takes all he strength to not defend him. Reese knows that getting into a fight or drama in the facility will get him kicked out of the program with the nursing home and he doesn’t want that.
The point they are trying to get across the most in this book or the theme would be no matter how hard you try things do not always turn out the way you want. I like this theme of the book because it is very realistic. No matter how much you try to prevent something, the outcome always has a chance of turning out the way you don’t want it to, but that is just life. Reese tried very hard to prevent getting into fights but some how he always seemed to get into trouble.
“Each time I think there is no place lower to go, I find that there is at least one place that will mess you up worse than you were.” This quote is well known in the book because it supports the theme. This quote is Reese realizing that not everything will go your way in life. From his racial issues that he is facing in the facility to him not being able to help his sister succeed in life as much as he wants to. Reese’s relationship with his drug addicted mom is also not exactly what he wants it to be, and it just seems to keep getting worse as he thinks they are getting better. Reese wants the best for his family but soon comes to realize that he can not change the damage that has already been done to his family when he realized his mom is using his program for money.
This book has a very good take on a real look at life. The first-person view helps the reader get inside the mind of Reese as he is battling the struggles of life as a 14-year-old. The authors tone and theme of this book was perfect for the situation and I would read more of his work! Reese has had to grow up a lot for one charge and now this has forever affected his family relationships and his life. He learns more about his relationship with his mother and opens his eyes to how badly he wants to help his little sister Icy succeed in life.
June 22, 2017
This YA book is centered around Reese (short for Maurice), a teen in juvy who in his heart, is thoughtful, caring, and wants a better life. The book shows how systemic oppression and social pressures work against Reese's better nature and describes the struggle of making good decisions and staying cool with so many obstacles (gangs and violence inside detention, adults that don't understand you, racism and poverty, drug abuse, etc) that seem more powerful than you. Ultimately, the book has an existentialist theme, inspired by Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, and Reese has to decide (1) how he will transcend his shitty circumstances through the power of his own mind (2) what kind of story he will tell about his own life to keep him on track. The book has lots of poignant moments that would spark deep conversation with a mature teen.
February 21, 2021
Trigger warnings: incarceration, violence, racial profiling, assault, parent with substance abuse issues, mentions of drug use, mentions of death, mentions of gun violence.
I read and loved Monster by the same author several years ago and I was hoping that this would fall into a similar knock-it-out-of-the-park category. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite hit for me. For one thing, it's very short, and there is so much going on in the story that it ultimately felt like none of it was handled quite as thoroughly as I would have liked. Add in an especially abrupt ending to the story and I was just left wanting...more. Sigh.
I read and loved Monster by the same author several years ago and I was hoping that this would fall into a similar knock-it-out-of-the-park category. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite hit for me. For one thing, it's very short, and there is so much going on in the story that it ultimately felt like none of it was handled quite as thoroughly as I would have liked. Add in an especially abrupt ending to the story and I was just left wanting...more. Sigh.
June 18, 2018
I read this for Remann Hall Book Club. We will not be using this as a book club selection because of numerous references to suicide. Surely Myers’ depiction of juvenile detention accurately reflects his experience. I am so grateful the readers at Remann Hall are treated more fairly and more humanely.
April 28, 2022
i thought this book was incredibly well written! the writing was very simple, but it portrayed a lot within it. it was an interesting look into the life of someone who was pushed down by personal means and the environment they lived in, and how they tried to bounce back up. the only real critique i had was with how quickly it ended, and how quickly the threat of reese's arrest being pushed for was dropped. other than that, it was excellent.
May 8, 2025
The library at the school was giving away free books so I got this one. I enjoyed it and seeing a perspective I haven’t thought about.
April 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It's very informative about the youth of today especially troubled youth. Reading this book was a very eye opening experience. I felt that I was actually in the book itself. Myers does an incredible job. And it was interesting how Myers still wanted readers to keep in mind that the juvenile youth still are good kids. And its must have been hard to remain unbiased during the writing of this book. I'm glad I read it and now I have a new perspective of the youth of today.
November 20, 2018
I loved this book it always kept me on the edge of my set you can always realte with somone when thevye don something bad are main chacter reese is strong and brave enthough to survive juvie by not getting in fhights but these book is really good. I love how the chacters are so fleshed out that you can kinict with them on so many levels.
October 18, 2010
When I saw this on the National Book Award finalist list for 2010, I thought - "Another Walter Dean Myers book?" Yawn. However, this book was a pleasant surprise. Myers is controversial. Some have criticized his work for perpetuating stereotypes - here is another book about a black teen who is incarcerated and, through his period of imprisonment, he learns to turn his life around. Myers defends his work by saying that he calls it as he sees it. This is, in fact, the reality for many inner city black youth. What makes this book stand out, however, is that it really provides insight into what the life of some black male teens might be like and how difficult it is to break out of the cycle of fighting battles with your fists, crime, failure in the educational setting, and on and on. On the flip side, it does offer HOPE. It is definitely a book that provides both windows and mirrors. It would be an awesome choice for male reluctant readers. Those who are turned on to reading through books like "Tyrell" and "The Juvie Three" would enjoy this piece of urban fiction.
Maurice Anderson (Reese) has been incarcerated in a juvenile detention facility called "Progress" for stealing prescription drug pads from a doctor's office for a drug dealer. At Progress he is surrounded by other young males who have committed crimes of their own and are used to scoping out the defenseless and attacking them to establish their power. They deal with conflict through insults and physical violence. Maurice, who has been doing relatively well at Progress is chosen to be a part of a trial work program. He is sent to Evergreen, a senior citizen home, where he is assigned to care for Mr. Hooft. The two slowly build a relationship and learn to see past their prejudices, and to see the truth in each other. On his journey to turn his life around, Reese takes steps both forward and backward. He learns through his mistakes. At the end, we are left hopeful that he will be able to return to his old world (which has not changed) yet make new, positive choices for himself.
There is lots of material here that would be good for discussion - what leads to a smart basically good kid making bad choices?, how do we deal with conflict and setback?, what is the value of education?, what is the role of the parent in a teen's life?, what is the importance of role models and a caring adult in each teen's life?, does the juvenile justice system succeed in rehabilitating criminals?, and on and on."Lockdown" is a short, fast, easy read. Myers deals with a gritty subject without having to use obscenities, graphic sex scenes, and portraying underage drug and alcohol abuse.
Recommended, but worthy of the National Book Award? No.
Maurice Anderson (Reese) has been incarcerated in a juvenile detention facility called "Progress" for stealing prescription drug pads from a doctor's office for a drug dealer. At Progress he is surrounded by other young males who have committed crimes of their own and are used to scoping out the defenseless and attacking them to establish their power. They deal with conflict through insults and physical violence. Maurice, who has been doing relatively well at Progress is chosen to be a part of a trial work program. He is sent to Evergreen, a senior citizen home, where he is assigned to care for Mr. Hooft. The two slowly build a relationship and learn to see past their prejudices, and to see the truth in each other. On his journey to turn his life around, Reese takes steps both forward and backward. He learns through his mistakes. At the end, we are left hopeful that he will be able to return to his old world (which has not changed) yet make new, positive choices for himself.
There is lots of material here that would be good for discussion - what leads to a smart basically good kid making bad choices?, how do we deal with conflict and setback?, what is the value of education?, what is the role of the parent in a teen's life?, what is the importance of role models and a caring adult in each teen's life?, does the juvenile justice system succeed in rehabilitating criminals?, and on and on."Lockdown" is a short, fast, easy read. Myers deals with a gritty subject without having to use obscenities, graphic sex scenes, and portraying underage drug and alcohol abuse.
Recommended, but worthy of the National Book Award? No.
September 19, 2011
So, this is the first book I read for the 2012-2013 possible Gateway Award nominees through the Missouri Association of School Librarians. I've already 2 others on the list, but that was a while ago. Anyway, on with this review. It's also the first book that I ever checked out as an e-book from our public library! Very cool. And one other first, the very first Walter Dean Myers book I've ever read. Lots of firsts for this book.
This book reminded me of a few that I read for the Gateway award last fall, specifically
. Both were good, and while not normally the type of book I would pick out to read, I can totally see the audience in my classrooms who would really want to read them. I'm so glad that I've gotten the opportunity to be a reader selector for the past few years for the different Missouri award book nominees. It has really given me more insight into books for all readers, and if I ever get the chance to be a school librarian, I'll feel even more prepared.
The main character is Reese, short for Maurice. He is in a juvenile detention center, jail for juvies basically. His crime was stealing prescription pads and giving them to someone so that person could then write fake scripts for drugs to sell. We start out the book with Reese hearing he has a chance to possibly get out early, and part of it is being a part of a new work program the center is trying. This center is called Progress. The job is working at a retirement home. At this home he meets a man named Mr. Hooft, who really is of that generation that doesn't trust black people and judges him as a criminal. Meanwhile, Reese is dealing with the other kids back at the detention center. While he's not in for a violent crime, he can lose his temper so quick and become extremely rough. And he actually does this most of the time in order to protect another inmate who keeps getting picked on, to the point where Reese is afraid this kid will be killed. But fighting is fighting, no matter why, and so he gets punished every time as well as the other person. And keeps putting his chance of early release in jeopardy.
I really liked the story between him and Mr. Hooft. It had parts that made me smile. I liked that deep down this kid was good, that he wanted to be good, but there were things in his environment that just kept getting him down and pushing him a step backward from his goals. I think the portrayal of the people working at the center is probably realistic, and kind of sad to think of. I know kids I can recommend this to, and I will. Good book.
This book reminded me of a few that I read for the Gateway award last fall, specifically
. Both were good, and while not normally the type of book I would pick out to read, I can totally see the audience in my classrooms who would really want to read them. I'm so glad that I've gotten the opportunity to be a reader selector for the past few years for the different Missouri award book nominees. It has really given me more insight into books for all readers, and if I ever get the chance to be a school librarian, I'll feel even more prepared. The main character is Reese, short for Maurice. He is in a juvenile detention center, jail for juvies basically. His crime was stealing prescription pads and giving them to someone so that person could then write fake scripts for drugs to sell. We start out the book with Reese hearing he has a chance to possibly get out early, and part of it is being a part of a new work program the center is trying. This center is called Progress. The job is working at a retirement home. At this home he meets a man named Mr. Hooft, who really is of that generation that doesn't trust black people and judges him as a criminal. Meanwhile, Reese is dealing with the other kids back at the detention center. While he's not in for a violent crime, he can lose his temper so quick and become extremely rough. And he actually does this most of the time in order to protect another inmate who keeps getting picked on, to the point where Reese is afraid this kid will be killed. But fighting is fighting, no matter why, and so he gets punished every time as well as the other person. And keeps putting his chance of early release in jeopardy.
I really liked the story between him and Mr. Hooft. It had parts that made me smile. I liked that deep down this kid was good, that he wanted to be good, but there were things in his environment that just kept getting him down and pushing him a step backward from his goals. I think the portrayal of the people working at the center is probably realistic, and kind of sad to think of. I know kids I can recommend this to, and I will. Good book.
October 19, 2014
In Walter Dean Myers' story, Lockdown, he tells the story of a young teen who just wanted to help his family but made the wrong choices trying to help. Reese, a nice young boy wanted to help his mother by helping her pay for stuff at home. Him being young, and living In a bad location, came upon wrong choices. He would steal from doctors and sell stolen pills to people on the street. He was caught by the police and brought to a juvinial detention. He will do anything to get home early to make his siblings are doing the right things and so he can help his family out but not making the wrong decisions this time. He is forced to put in hours at a retirement home and his personality is changing completely. He regrets making doing illegal actions, but will the police let him out early so he can help his family?
Walter Dean Myers does a great job expressing how at heart Reese is a nice young boy. He shows how caring he is and how he just wants to help others before himself at all occasions. He makes you feel sympathy for Reese because now he is just stuck in a bad situation, with a police record. The readers may not like how the story can get boring and how a lot of the story is just sitting in the jail cell. He shows how Reese would put his life on the line to help others.
Overall, I give this story a 4/5 stars. I really like how the writer worded each event, and how he set up the scenes so the entire story would make sense. I enjoyed reading each page, learning about Reese's life. At some points in this story, I did get bored. I felt like the writer rambled on when he shouldn't have and that he added unnecessary I formation. I would recommend this book to readers in the low teens. I think many can relate to how Reese feels and they could enjoy hearing about the story of Reese.
Walter Dean Myers does a great job expressing how at heart Reese is a nice young boy. He shows how caring he is and how he just wants to help others before himself at all occasions. He makes you feel sympathy for Reese because now he is just stuck in a bad situation, with a police record. The readers may not like how the story can get boring and how a lot of the story is just sitting in the jail cell. He shows how Reese would put his life on the line to help others.
Overall, I give this story a 4/5 stars. I really like how the writer worded each event, and how he set up the scenes so the entire story would make sense. I enjoyed reading each page, learning about Reese's life. At some points in this story, I did get bored. I felt like the writer rambled on when he shouldn't have and that he added unnecessary I formation. I would recommend this book to readers in the low teens. I think many can relate to how Reese feels and they could enjoy hearing about the story of Reese.
April 11, 2019
This book tells the story about a boy named Reece who explains how he acted and how he survived in a juvenile detention center. I believe this book was a disappointment by Walter Dean Myers. At first, the book was interesting due to the fights and drama that occurred. The ending, however, ruined the book, it felt rushed and it felt as if the author didn't want to take the time to fully explain what happened next. I do however like the fact that the author made the book very realistic by saying not everybody has a happy ending. As you can see, this book by Walter Dean Myers was a disappointment considering the fact that the book wasn't finished in the correct way.
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September 20, 2011It seems as though the more books I read, the more interesting they become. Previous books that I've read were interesting, but after reading "LockDown" by Walter Dean Myers, it sparked my attention that to me, was really enticing, and made me to a point, not wanting to put the book down for an instant or stop reading at all because that's just how interesting the book became as I started reading it. To me, "LockDown" by Walter Dean Myers was an inspirational story that motivates young adolescent to make something of themselves, leave the streets alone because it has nothing to offer you but hurt, pain, and grief, only if you allow it, and to love yourself, know your identity, and trust no one. I feel as though life was given to you by God and this world he placed you in, is evil, and will at all cost take you under, but God placed us here for a reason. I belive he wanted to see how we would be able to cope with things and to how we would handle things upon the actions that were present or the consequences that were given. I believe he wanted to see who was the strongest, (although he knows and sees everything) and dealt with their penalty in a way that would better someone in their life. Life is not fair and sometimes you have to deal with things the best way you can or else. What other choice do you have? People will lie on you to better themselves, they will hurt you out of jealousy and hatred, they will decieve you only to take everything that you have and what they don't have. "LockDown" by Walter Dean Myers inspired me a lot and I learned about how someone else was feeling and for a moment felt what they may have been going through. I am glad that I read "LockDown" by Walter Dean Myers and I enjoyed reading every last bit of it without any regrets.
March 20, 2013
Lockdown. Walter Dean Meyrs. New York: HarperCollins: 2010. 247pp
This would would the second book that I read from Walter Dean Myers and it was an excellent book. The main character is Reese, he is a teenager in juvenile jail. Reese had committed the crime of stealing prescription pads from a doctor office to later sell them to a drug dealer. Sentenced to 32 months in progress Reese had to face multiple obstacles to no get in trouble. He was given multiple opportunities to make himself a better person to not cause problems but at times it was hard so he would get in trouble which reduced the chances of him getting out. One major opportunity that he had was that he was able to go out of progress to a nursing home to help out the old people. There he meet an old man named Mr. Hooft which talked to him about world war two and was able to change Reese’s way of looking at things and his way of making choices the right way. Every time he committed a crime he was punished for a very long time that he felt he was going crazy. This would be a good book for teenagers to read because it gives good examples of how hard it is being in juvy and things that they may face in there. Kids need to know that in juvy they have no rights, they must do whatever they are told to do no matter what or else they will be sentenced for longer or maybe even go to jail which is worse. Adults should also read this book because they may learn a thing or two of what some teenagers have to face in their neighborhoods that causes them to become criminals. There are also emotional parts in the story were Reese wants to get out of juvy because he wants to help his little sister. This would be a great book for anyone to read if they are into real life event books.
This would would the second book that I read from Walter Dean Myers and it was an excellent book. The main character is Reese, he is a teenager in juvenile jail. Reese had committed the crime of stealing prescription pads from a doctor office to later sell them to a drug dealer. Sentenced to 32 months in progress Reese had to face multiple obstacles to no get in trouble. He was given multiple opportunities to make himself a better person to not cause problems but at times it was hard so he would get in trouble which reduced the chances of him getting out. One major opportunity that he had was that he was able to go out of progress to a nursing home to help out the old people. There he meet an old man named Mr. Hooft which talked to him about world war two and was able to change Reese’s way of looking at things and his way of making choices the right way. Every time he committed a crime he was punished for a very long time that he felt he was going crazy. This would be a good book for teenagers to read because it gives good examples of how hard it is being in juvy and things that they may face in there. Kids need to know that in juvy they have no rights, they must do whatever they are told to do no matter what or else they will be sentenced for longer or maybe even go to jail which is worse. Adults should also read this book because they may learn a thing or two of what some teenagers have to face in their neighborhoods that causes them to become criminals. There are also emotional parts in the story were Reese wants to get out of juvy because he wants to help his little sister. This would be a great book for anyone to read if they are into real life event books.
March 27, 2014
Reese once lived out in the world with the rest of society, but he’s now a criminal living in a correctional facility. Being in the Progress facility has made Reese realize one thing; that once he gets out, he never wants to go back. While at Progress, Reese is put into a work-release program. A couple days every week he will work at a nursing home. If he’s good in the program, that’s just one step closer to freedom for him. He makes a friend while working at the home, and elderly man named Mr. Hooft. The two don’t get along at first, but Mr. Hooft seems to be trying to help Reese become a person in the long run. He’s going to do whatever it takes to get out so he can take care of his family as well as himself. What will Reese’s fait be? Can he better himself and prevail over everything trying to hold him back, or will he crack under pressure and mess it all up…
Any reader that likes a book that gives you a true insight on the main character(s), would be interested. This book lets you travel with the character through the good and bad as if you are living the life with them. Also, with that said, anyone who likes books that are a kind of urban fiction would be interested in Lockdown. If you like Walter Dean Myers work period, you should read this book.
I was very satisfied with the book. Throughout the whole story, I could relate to Reese. I felt as if I was going through every struggle and every smile with him as they happened. Walter Dean Myers is one of my favorite authors. This book supports that. I didn’t want to put it down. As a whole, I give the book 5 stars.
Any reader that likes a book that gives you a true insight on the main character(s), would be interested. This book lets you travel with the character through the good and bad as if you are living the life with them. Also, with that said, anyone who likes books that are a kind of urban fiction would be interested in Lockdown. If you like Walter Dean Myers work period, you should read this book.
I was very satisfied with the book. Throughout the whole story, I could relate to Reese. I felt as if I was going through every struggle and every smile with him as they happened. Walter Dean Myers is one of my favorite authors. This book supports that. I didn’t want to put it down. As a whole, I give the book 5 stars.
November 3, 2016
Like Steve in Monster Monster, Walter Dean Myers’ main character in Lockdown, Reese, is also incarcerated. Unlike Steve, however, Reese has already been sentenced and is serving his time in a juvenile correctional facility. While Reese may be guilty of his crime, he is a dimensional character, and the reader experiences his struggle to find his identity, envision a better future for himself, and find the strength to face his struggles and avoid self-destructive choices.
There are a few characters in the novel who are willing to help Reese with a second chance, but he is faced with negative expectations (even from some of them) because of his choices and record. Reese is a young man who feels trapped by circumstances, not just in the present while he is locked up, but also about what prospects will be facing him when he is eventually released back into society. He is also a sympathetic character, and Myers’ depiction of him will prompt readers to examine their prejudices and assumptions. He is a flawed character who has a hard time resisting when a bully tries to goad him into a fight, but the reader will likely find herself hoping for him to be strong and wishing that adults don’t write him off.
There are a few characters in the novel who are willing to help Reese with a second chance, but he is faced with negative expectations (even from some of them) because of his choices and record. Reese is a young man who feels trapped by circumstances, not just in the present while he is locked up, but also about what prospects will be facing him when he is eventually released back into society. He is also a sympathetic character, and Myers’ depiction of him will prompt readers to examine their prejudices and assumptions. He is a flawed character who has a hard time resisting when a bully tries to goad him into a fight, but the reader will likely find herself hoping for him to be strong and wishing that adults don’t write him off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2012
I really enjoyed this book! The story of Reese was something I could relate to on multiple levels. I got into some trouble as a teen and have a best friend who went to prison for selling illegal substances. This book made me realize how sometimes getting into trouble often makes us a stronger individual; how your eyes are opened by the trials that we are faced with. The story was really great because this kid Reese gets into trouble for selling a prescription note pad to a drug dealer, and when he gets sent to a juvenile detention center, he learns lessons most kids don't have the opportunity to learn until they are adults. I would definitely recommend this book to any teen, not just one with legal / authority issues. There was a really great relationship between Reese and the older gentleman at the nursing home (I can't remember his name). It was really touching. Sort of reminded me of that one movie with Clint Eastwood where he helps the asian kid from the gang members..... Anyways, this was a pleasant surprise from Walter Dean Myers.
Language: A lot actually. If you don't like swear words, you might not want to read this.
Sex: None that I can remember!
Violence: Some. There are some gang members that try to jump another detainee.
Language: A lot actually. If you don't like swear words, you might not want to read this.
Sex: None that I can remember!
Violence: Some. There are some gang members that try to jump another detainee.
December 27, 2010
I always read Myers' books and always buy them for my high school library. This one is not his best, but should appeal to teen boys. It's the story of Reese, who's stupid mistake has landed him in Progress -- a juvenile detention facility. Here he is given the opportunity to turn his life around or take the path so many young African-American boys seem to take -- from petty crimes to an endless cycle of violence and then prison. There are some stereotypical characters here, but Myers' purpose seems to be to teach a lesson, and he does that well.
The theme of self-determination is very obvious. Reese is given a few opportunities to prove himself -- including a work-release program where he spends a couple of days a week at a nursing home. But old habits die hard and he gets tangled in a couple of fights that are not really his fault. This is a definite "message book", but it's heavy on the story and not too overpowering with the teaching. This is what Myers does best. I don't think this is as powerful as Monster, but that's a very hard act to follow. I'm sure the intended audience (teen boys) will like it, just as they do everything he has written.
The theme of self-determination is very obvious. Reese is given a few opportunities to prove himself -- including a work-release program where he spends a couple of days a week at a nursing home. But old habits die hard and he gets tangled in a couple of fights that are not really his fault. This is a definite "message book", but it's heavy on the story and not too overpowering with the teaching. This is what Myers does best. I don't think this is as powerful as Monster, but that's a very hard act to follow. I'm sure the intended audience (teen boys) will like it, just as they do everything he has written.
June 19, 2011
Teenage Reese, serving time at a juvenile detention facility, gets a lesson in making it through hard times from an unlikely friend with a harrowing past.
I was actually pretty surprised at this book. Having missed (to my embarrassment) Myers' other acclaimed teen books, I didn't know what to expect when I picked this one, but I anticipated lots of teen angst and platitudes about life on the streets. What I got instead was an in-depth, honest, open story about one kid trying to put his life together, but afraid and unsure of himself without strong adult guidance. He discovers he's stronger than he realized and shows an amazing maturity as he goes through the final months of his prison sentence. The book never wallows, never descends into preachiness. You feel Reese's struggle and you genuinely sympathize with him. This is an easy read, but shows great substance. Regardless of whether readers identify personally with the trials of the main character, they will care about him and his fate. I think it's one of the stronger teen books I've read in the past few years.
I was actually pretty surprised at this book. Having missed (to my embarrassment) Myers' other acclaimed teen books, I didn't know what to expect when I picked this one, but I anticipated lots of teen angst and platitudes about life on the streets. What I got instead was an in-depth, honest, open story about one kid trying to put his life together, but afraid and unsure of himself without strong adult guidance. He discovers he's stronger than he realized and shows an amazing maturity as he goes through the final months of his prison sentence. The book never wallows, never descends into preachiness. You feel Reese's struggle and you genuinely sympathize with him. This is an easy read, but shows great substance. Regardless of whether readers identify personally with the trials of the main character, they will care about him and his fate. I think it's one of the stronger teen books I've read in the past few years.
April 12, 2015
"Lockdown" is an interesting book about a 14 year old boy named Maurice Anderson nicknamed Reese who spends 3 years in juvie jail for stealing prescription pads from a doctor and giving them to a drug dealer. He meets a man named Mr. Hooft while being forced to work in a senior citizen center and even though Mr. Hooft dislikes Reese at first, he gets along with him later in the book. This book does have some parts that make you want to skip like Reese and his friend Play talking to each other which happens in some parts of the book. It also has an interesting backstory to Mr. Hooft of him being sent to a Japanese prison camp as a young boy. It shows how much Reese has to suffer getting in fights with bully inmates and guards ruining his life. I recommend it to people who like books about people in jail or prison because it tells how much Reese is feeling bad and Mr. Hooft says that his experiences in the Japanese prison camp is much worse than juvie and it makes you want to keep reading.
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