Changing Lives Through Literature

The book offers several important selctions from contemporary literature and demonstrates through the discussions by Waxler and Trousntine how powerful literature can be. The book should be read and used in any group that still believes in the possibilities of creating a human society.

From Library Journal: This book is the result of work that Waxler and Trounstine have done within the Massachusetts Correctional System. An alternative to jail, Waxlers program, Changing Lives Through Literature, encourages offenders to examine their lives through discussions of literary works. This book contains selections used in the program as well as discussion ideas. In addition, before each section readers will find discussion of the theme (i.e., violence, identity/voice, friendship/love, and family) and explanations of why the particular stories were selected and how they can be used to facilitate discussion. The authors represented include James Dickey, John Steinbeck, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, and Jack London. An interesting addition to criminal justice, penology, or social welfare collections, this might also work in education collections for teachers who are looking for innovative ways to teach contemporary classics.Danna C. Bell-Russel, Lib. of Congress, Washington DC