Born, Not Raised

In the final volume of her trilogy on interlinked social issues, Susan Madden Lankford explores the troubled psyches of young people incarcerated in Juvenile Hall. The perspectives of psychiatrists, neuroscientists, and experts in the field of juvenile justice- combined with striking contributions elicited from the youths themselves-underscore the social and neurobiological impacts of childhood trauma.

Born, Not Raised aims to have a dramatic impact on social policy with its powerful call to action for educators, social workers, psychologists, criminal justice and corrections professionals, as well as parents and parents-to-be. At the heart of Lankford's work is the conviction that early education and youth development are the most effective strategies for breaking the cycle of at-risk behavior and helping our country's youth thrive.

Unfortunate and scary are words that come to mind after reading this book. I am familiar with the population that Susan Madden Lankford interviewed in this book. I teach this age group in a similar urban setting on the East Coast. Unfortunately, I have experienced much of what she has written about. The book interested me and continues to intrigue me. The title is appropriate because the root of all of the juveniles problems come from their home lives as children. Without the appropriate interventions, they will be doomed to a life in institutions/jails.

The format of the book was thought provoking. To actually see the surveys/questionaires that the teens completed was mind blowing. Eerily they all had the same undertones in them. These teens had such a perverse way of perceiving the world that is makes one afraid for the future of our society.

Eye opening and a must read for those people who could possibly have an effect on these misguided young adults.

-- Gloria Keeler, NetGalley Reviewer