Gangs and Drugs

by Stanley Tookie Williams, Barbara Cottman Becnel

One of the founders of the Crips, a Los Angeles gang, tells the reader about the dangers of gang life, particularly of getting involved with drug use and drug dealing

Genres: Crime

24 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Stanley Tookie Williams III was a leader of the Crips, a notorious American street gang which had its roots in South Central Los Angeles in 1969.
In 1979 he was convicted of four murders committed in the course of robberies, sentenced to death, and eventually executed. Once incarcerated, he authored several books, including anti-gang and anti-violence literature and children's books.

Reviews

[Ana]

that it don't have that much pages but the best thing about this book is because it really talk about how drugs and gangs could really do to you and people really need to see about that!

Will it take more than one long talk to resolve their conflict?

The way Stanley 'Tookie' Williams talk's about his life and how drugs and gangs effect people was really strong. But, it will take more then one long talk to make young people stop doing drugs and joining gangs. For example, when your growing up there could a family involved in gangs or doing drugs. And you see how young kids think it is also right to do drugs or join gangs because their parents can't help them out since their also on a bad path.People can't change from one day to another or people think that with one talk it will be it because Stanley is now in stat prison.

Dose one thing lead to another?

Stanley 'Tookie' Williams when he was young he liked to hang around with the older guys and they where hustlers who made money by doing bad things so Tookie,Than lean to do more wrong than good after that it lead him to do drug at a young age went on to stealing and fighting because he wanted to belong so yes one thing does lead to another see the wrong crowd you want to be like them want to belong you do drugs,fight and steal.

[Omer]

Is the proper point of view maintained in each scene?
Yes, it is maintained because it tells children to not do drugs and he recommends to not follow the wrong path.
For example,he says "whether you're a gang member or not,slinging selling drugs is a life of danger and violence.You worry about the police putting you in jail. You worry about others stealing your drugs and money. And you worry about someone killing you for what you have. People can make a lot of money slinging drugs. But its not worth it they wont stay free from prison, or stay alive,long enough to enjoy it."

Does the author intrude, or is he invisible so the story can tell itself?
Yes, the author intrudes because this is his life story. For example, in the book he intrudes
drugs make you hurt people and makes you feel dumb and do bad things and become addicted and start stealing and killing for drugs cause you need it so bad "don't do drugs if you have friends who do drugs. Stay away from them don't put yourself in those situation if they ask you to do drugs. Don't do it, even if they say your not cool or down. They want you to be like them and being down and cool to them is messing up your life.

















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[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the series of eight. Like all the books in the series the books can be read during the elementary years. Even though some parents may feel their children would never be influenced by gangs and drugs they can be. This book talks about sniffing glue (while living in England during the 80s it was the #1 abused drug with childhood death as young as 6 years old)and young children can easily try while making models. The book goes on to discuss addiction, dealing, and avoiding drugs as a smart child. Parents need to have these hard discussions with their children because if they don't, someone else will.

[Jeanette]

2. Is the proper point of view maintained in each scene?
Yes, In every scene the author is well aware of whats happening. on page 17 the author says " Drugs became important to gangs for another reason. Selling drugs was a way to make a lot of money", The author knows from each point of view from each gang they all are after the same thing they all want Money and Drugs.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

A children's book that is chock full of good advice about avoiding drugs from someone who should know.

[Jose Gonzalez · Rating 2 out of 5]

i think this book is bad because i believe the title should be pre pressure, it talks about how you shouldn't let someone talk you into those things