No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row

Kuklin, Susan, No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row, Holt, 2008, 212 pgs.

Summary: The realness behind this novel will touch those who read it. Susan Kuklin interviews and profiles four young adults who were either on death row or did in fact get executed. The differences between the cases are clear and the differences in the experiences while on death row are also very clear. The book strives to state only the facts of life on death row and besides the basics of the case; the reader is not forced to read through legalese, making the stories come to life. Because of the way that the book includes pictures, interviews, emails, and letters, the reader really feels like they are getting all points of the story. The back ground isn’t necessary and the way that prison is depicted is real, but still at a young adult understanding.

Evaluation: I found the book a great example of young adult nonfiction that relates to the audience. The topic is perfect to catch young adults’ attention and still provide them with information. The facts of the cases are explained thoroughly and without opinion which provides a good example for young adults of investigative writing.

Annotation: You are on death row at a maximum security prison and you are only 14 years old.

Significance of Book: This book provides the true stories of teen criminals. This is a first because minors can no longer be placed on death row and the author had to wait until the teens were no longer minors.

Genre/subject: nonfiction, teen crime

Awards:

National:

· ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers: 2009

· Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2009

· Kirkus Best Young Adult Books: 2008

· SLJ Best Books for Children: 2008

State:

• Kentucky: Bluegrass Award Nominees: 2010
• New Jersey: Garden State Teen Book Award Nominees: 2011
• Oklahoma: Sequoyah Award Nominees: 2011
• Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominees: 2011
• Texas: Tayshas Reading List: 2010

Why I selected the book: I found the topic to be very attention grabbing and I was interested to find out how the cases were presented.

Price: $17.99