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19th out of 20 books
—
6 voters
Rikers High
by
Paul Volponi (Goodreads Author)
Martin was sitting on the front stoop of his apartment building minding his own business when he was arrested for something he didn't even mean to do. Five months later, he's still locked up on Rikers Island, in a New York City jail. Just when it seems things couldn't get much worse, Martin is caught between two warring prisoners, and his face is slashed. Now he'll be fore...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
February 4th 2010
by Viking Juvenile
(first published April 1st 2002)
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This is a definite must-read book. "Rikers High" is a book that always keeps you on your toes. It constantly keeps you guessing and wanting to what is going to happen next. It is a book that will change your whole entire perspective on some things in life. I have never had to go to jail, but this really puts a good view on what it is like to have to live in jail and what some people have to go through each and every day. This book shows that even when you make one tiny little mistake, you can st...more
I would like to start off by saying Rikers high is my favorite out of all the books I have read. The book is full of excitement all i kept wondering what was going to happen next. Every time I read a page I couldn’t help but want to read the next i read the book all day nonstop. When I first picked out the book wasn’t really sure I would like it. I didn’t really think I would get all into the book either. But after reading a little the book had me thinking about what I have experienced in my lif...more
How would you feel being put into jail with no one you know and nowhere to go? That’s how Martin feels when he has to go to jail for something he didn’t mean to do. In the book “Rikers High” Martin is sent to a jail on the island of Rikers for supposedly selling drugs and leading an undercover cop to a drug dealer.
In this book the main plot is a young boy is sent to jail for leading cops to drugs. While he is imprisoned he gets his court dates brought back over and over again. He is stuck in jai...more
In this book the main plot is a young boy is sent to jail for leading cops to drugs. While he is imprisoned he gets his court dates brought back over and over again. He is stuck in jai...more
When you hear the title, Riker’s High, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it, “Well that’s original,” or does it capture your interest and make you want to find out more? For me, it did. After reading the introduction of Riker’s High by Paul Volponi, I felt that I had a pretty good understanding of what the book was like. I was wrong. Riker’s High contained a lot of twists and turns that I didn’t fully comprehend until the end of the book. The main character Martin, AKA “Forty”,...more
The following is a summary and review from Megan Honig of New York Public Library. Her review perfectly summarized my thoughts on the book.
"Martin Stokes is awaiting trial at Rikers Island, a New York City correctional facility. His alleged crime is steering: telling an undercover police officer where to buy marijuana in his neighborhood. Riding back to Rikers on a bus after his court date is rescheduled, Martin gets caught between two boys fighting and is cut in the face with a blade. He is ass...more
"Martin Stokes is awaiting trial at Rikers Island, a New York City correctional facility. His alleged crime is steering: telling an undercover police officer where to buy marijuana in his neighborhood. Riding back to Rikers on a bus after his court date is rescheduled, Martin gets caught between two boys fighting and is cut in the face with a blade. He is ass...more
Rikers High follows the pattern of all Volponi novels -- disadvantaged teens in trouble, trying to find their way through, while some adults are helpful and others totally useless.
In this case, Martin is in jail at Rikers Island. He's being accused of "steering" -- when an undercover officer asked him where he could score some dope, Martin told him. Because of the system, his hearing has been postponed several times, so Martin has been in jail for about five months and this story covers the last...more
In this case, Martin is in jail at Rikers Island. He's being accused of "steering" -- when an undercover officer asked him where he could score some dope, Martin told him. Because of the system, his hearing has been postponed several times, so Martin has been in jail for about five months and this story covers the last...more
The book starts out with the main character Martin imprisioned at Rickers Island correctional facility. He is arrest for a petty crime called "steering"(10). Martin was asked by a undercover cop where he could find marijuana so Martin told him. For that Martin a 17 year old boy is put in prison for 5 monthes while the prepare his court date. Martin is in the prison yard where inmates conjugate, Martin is caught inbetween a gang fight with two guys from different gangs. While in this situation M...more
Don’t you think it would suck if you had to go to jail for a crime you didn’t mean to commit? The book Rikers High, by Paul Volponi is a great book and it’s about a guy named Martin who goes to jail at 15 years old because of a setup. The way this happened is he was sitting on his porch when some undercover cops came and asked him where to buy drugs. Then the they arrested him five minutes later and then before you know it he’s been in jail for five months and counting waiting for his turn to se...more
At 17, Martin is arrested and thrown into jail--Rikers Island--for steering, telling an undercover police officer where to buy pot in his neighborhood. He's sure he'll be released as soon as his case is presented to the judge, but there's been no end of problems in getting his case heard, and his court date has been rescheduled several times. Martin is starting to lose himself to the misery of life in jail when he's moved to a different section of the prison--a section specifically for youth, wh...more
Summary: Martin Stokes is incarcerated in Riker’s Island for a crime that he did not mean to commit. While there, he must be always on guard against other inmates who would take advantage of him. This hardened exterior belies his inner feelings of fear and remorse for hurting his family. He is given an opportunity to work on his GED and meets a teacher who believes in him. His friend, Sanchez, is not so lucky and kills himself in his cell out of despair. This experience firms Martin’s resolve to...more
I now have read every book by "The King of Urban Fiction," Paul Volponi. RIKERS HIGH- first published in 2002 as RIKERS - was the first book published by Volponi - and the last one for me to read. Heart-stopping, powerful, exceptional, and REAL! These are just words that have no meaning unless you read this book.
A general comment:
I hope EVERYONE reads Volponi's books, including this one. He opens windows to society that few have the guts to see. Most shut their eyes tight and never give this p...more
A general comment:
I hope EVERYONE reads Volponi's books, including this one. He opens windows to society that few have the guts to see. Most shut their eyes tight and never give this p...more
Ages 13+ (language in jail is rough, yo)
Gritty and realistic, the story follows Martin, a teenager who is locked up on Riker's Island for "steering" - telling an undercover cop where to buy drugs in his neighborhood. His court date has been delayed three times, and following vicious fight he found himself in the middle of, he's been moved into a new building. He's got two weeks before he goes back to court. Can he make it just a little longer?
Martin isn't given a "good kid who made a bad mistak...more
Gritty and realistic, the story follows Martin, a teenager who is locked up on Riker's Island for "steering" - telling an undercover cop where to buy drugs in his neighborhood. His court date has been delayed three times, and following vicious fight he found himself in the middle of, he's been moved into a new building. He's got two weeks before he goes back to court. Can he make it just a little longer?
Martin isn't given a "good kid who made a bad mistak...more
Just finished the ARC for Rikers High and I loved Paul Volponi's character, Martin Stokes, an African American teen still incredulous about how "steering" landed him at Rikers Island jail. With short, terse, descriptive sentences we live the fear and horror of juvenile jail. From the first sentence, Martin narrates his life as inmate number "40" and the daily grind at Rikers with chilling, no nonsense details. Martin expected to be home already but there were holdups with his case and as he goes...more
Really good look at life in jail for one teen, who isn't really even supposed to be there but due to various judicial snafus he's being held at Riker's Island for a few weeks that turned into months while he waits for his trial to come up. He's learned how to navigate the system and avoid becoming the target of bullies, but an accidental knife slash to his face (while trying to avoid a fight between others) and a transfer to a new ward make him the new kid all over again. He goes to school class...more
Really good look at life in jail for a teen, if you ever thought of doing something unlawful, this will cure you. Martin Stokes has landed in jail for steering, telling an undercover cop where to buy drugs. He is due to be released but due to various judicial mishaps he's being held at Riker's Island for a few weeks that turned into months while he waits for his trial to come up. He's learned how to navigate the system and avoid becoming the target of bullies, but an accidental knife slash to hi...more
This is the 2nd book by Volponi I've read and it met my expectations. Martin, now called Forty, his count off number, is on Riker's Island on a BS charge, one that anyone with money for a good lawyer would have beat. He's been to the judge three times, but his legal aid lawyer just doesn't have it together. Coming back from the fourth time, a guy with snake tattoos on his neck slices his face with a razor. He goes to the clinic and then is moved to a different house. One where he can go to schoo...more
I recently visited Rikers Island with a small group of fellow librarians to provide a storytime program for the mothers and babies who are incarcerated in the nursery. The mothers are allowed to live with and care for their children until the child is one year old. If the mother is not paroled after this point, the child is released into the custody of family or put into foster care. My experience at Riker's not only put library services into a completely new context for me, but also changed the...more
A moving depiction of life in Rikers prison for teenagers who are awaiting trial or release. Martin known as “forty” in prison learned the rules of prison life fast, but even so it doesn’t save him from getting slashed across the cheek by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It also doesn’t save him from the typical horrors of abusive guards, prison thugs, and wrong decisions that have life altering consequences. However, with the lesson learned from his father letter from prison upstate...more
My Review:
Characters:
Paul Voloponi creates authentic characters in Rikers High. Martin the main character is brought to life through the descriptions and interactions with other characters. Ritz, Jessup, Sanchez, Brick, and Shaky are all inmates in Rikers. These characters each play a significant role in developing the authenticity of the novel. Paul Voloponi pulls from his background knowledge to create this range of characters. In addition to the inmates, Voloponi does an excellent job creatin...more
this book is one of the best books i have ever read its a story about a kid who goes to juvie on Rikers Island he gets cut and is sent to another part of an island .there he has to go to school and meats new people and new co's. he makes a friend by giving him a nick name ritz he talks about ritz being the only white kid in jail he starts geting along more with his romeate sanchez. he also meats brick the guy with the story and in charge of the phones. 40 is the main characters nick name by the...more
Martin Stokes, 17 and an inmate at Rikers Island jail. He is actually there for a bogus charge...unable to afford a lawyer. Martin is only known as inmate #40. He is only trying to survive until his next court date with hopes of being able to join his family at home - 3 trips to the court have failed. On one trip home from the court, he is caught up in a fight between other inmates and is cut on the face. Martin must attend school on Rikers Island - some teachers are good and genuinely care, but...more
Great book!! I finished this one in about 3 days. The pages flew by and I had to stop myself from skipping to the end to find out what happens. 17 year old Martin Stokes has always been a pretty good kid. He wants to finish high school and help out his mom and grandma with his 2 younger sisters. He knows the realities of life in the ghetto, especially with a dad doing time upstate. The irony of it is that he day Martin gets arrested all he was doing was sitting on his front porch minding his own...more
While the main character is learning valuable life lessons and the overall theme of the book may be that young people can choose to learn from mistakes . . .theirs and others'--this book just didn't deliver for me. The characters remained shallow and underdeveloped, which may have been intentional since it is the story of life in jail, but it kept me from caring much about anyone. There are quite a few subtle subplots and character clues that may not be easily recognized or interpreted by some j...more
I liked this a lot for a few reasons and I will admit the first reason may not be valid. I like this, because I know I can recommend it to my reluctant boy readers and they will like it. It is short and really entertaining. The setting is a jail where the main character, who will be released shortly gets to attend school. Of course there is lots of jail violence and injustices towards the juveniles in lockup and that is what makes the book addicting.
I also enjoyed it as an adult. The author wor...more
I also enjoyed it as an adult. The author wor...more
Volponi taught on Rikers for 6 years, and his experience certainly gives the book plenty of verisimilitude. The story is told from the point of view of Martin, a young man who spends a few weeks in jail on Rikers Island after a basically bogus drug charge. While Martin has a strong voice and does a good job of depicting the many stresses of life in jail, the book is too episodic to have any real tension. There's no central conflict, and even Martin's own future never seems seriously in doubt. Wh...more
Apr 14, 2013
Rhonai
added it
The book " Rikers High" is a book that I normally wouldn't read because its for boys I would think, but this book is so good . It's like a bad cold you can't get rid of . I say that because when you get a cold it's hard to get the cold to stop , like with the book you can't just stop on a page in the middle Of a chapter you have to finish the chapter . It's even hard to not read on to the next chapter to see what's going to happen next !!! "Rikers High" is a book I strongly recommend you to try...more
I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS REALLY GOOD IT ALWAYS HAD A TWIST SOMTHING ALLWAYS DIFFRENT HAPPEND LIKE WHEN HE GOT STABED OR HOW HE KNOWS THE WAY TO COURT AN THE WAY HOME HE CLAIMS, (HE COULD CLOSE HIS EYES AN HE KNOWS WHERE HE IS). HES BEEN IN PRISON FOR A WHILE HE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENDS HOW IT HAPPENDS WHERE IT HAPPEND HES STREET SMART. IF I HAD TO SCALE THE BOOK FROM 1-10 I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE IT A 10.THE MAIN CHARICTER'S MOM IS ON HIS SIDE HIS MOM IS THE ONE WHO KNOW WHAT HAPPEND BUT SHE FORGAVE HIM.I...more
The book "Rickers high" By paul volponi. is about a teen named martin stokes, he got arrested on his block when someone came up to him asking him where he could buy drugs.now he is spending time on rikers island he has been in for five months for something he didnt do , he goes through alot like a razor fight with other inmate gangs and gets cut int the face. i like this book because my favorite rapper is lil wayne and he spent 8 months there and this book was really descriptive on hoe rikers is...more
This year, I put Rikers High on our summer reading list at the recommendation of one of our school librarians. After finishing the book myself, I'm glad I took her advice. Volponi's protagonist (Martin, who is called "Forty" because that's the bed number he is assigned) is a likeable kid who has made mistakes and grapples with his place in Rikers Island's Sprung #3 and in the larger world. It's easy to read and interesting story will appeal to the reluctant readers, who may see a reflection of t...more
A thicker-than-normal Volponi story of Martin who was jailed for pushing drugs to an undercover cop. So, a day by day story unfolds of about a month at Riker's Island, but in a Sprung where juveniles are sent to get some schooling while awaiting hopeful release. The usual happens, Martin is cut from ear to cheek, but in the end, does not exact revenge, he witnesses a hanging by a friend, and details the day to day life of being in the juvenile system trying not to get sent upstate.
Really uninsp...more
Really uninsp...more
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