NCJ Number
168809
Date Published
1994
Length
25 pages
Annotation
Directed to children and youth, this book tells the story of Jeorrick High, a youth who became involved in gang activity in Baytown, Tex. and ultimately was shot and paralyzed from the waist down.
Abstract
Jeorrick and his family moved from Houston to Baytown in the summer before he was to enter third grade. His father was not home much. His mother worked at night. He avoided doing homework, and his grades began falling. His academic problems increased each year. While he was junior high school, his father was shot and killed after an argument. Jeorrick stopped studying and was cut from the football team. He felt sad and lonely and decided to form a gang, because he thought that gang members were having fun. The group was informal at first. However, they decided to steal a gun. Jeorrick was arrested and convicted and spent 9 months in prison. On release he again became involved with his gang friends. The gang members' behavior and poor grades led to their expulsion from school. A school counselor tried to help them change and make peace with rival gangs. However, 6 weeks later Jeorrick was shot and paralyzed. His brother later died when a friend accidentally shot him with a gun Jeorrick had brought to their home. Jeorrick is now 20 years old, remains in a wheelchair, goes to schools to tell youth about the importance of staying in school and staying away from gangs, and coaches a youth basketball team. Discussion questions, illustrations, and photographs