Diamond
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention records at least 766 murders in the United States in 2010, representing about 8% of all known offenders. There are some 75 million juveniles in the country with a ratio of one in every four youths having the potential of being labeled as a delinquent. Mental illness and substance abuse are the two most associated contributing factors among juvenile offenders.
Underscoring optimism and self-empowerment, Kirkland chronicles the life of 18-year-old Ace Sherrod. Having been incarcerated at the age of 12 for attempted murder, he eagerly awaits to be counseled by the parole board and leave the correctional institution. Ace’s life outside prison becomes a roller-coaster ride as he attempts to stay away from the life he used to have – back in the days when he was arrested and his brother was shot to death by the police after breaking in a house. Still, he encounters challenges along the way. It is Ace’s last chance to enroll in West Winsor High Charter School and he has to make it through, no matter what it costs.
This gripping book candidly tackles reality in Kirkland’s perception. Readers will see how difficult teen life turns out to be as they immerse in the ups and downs of the characters in Diamond.