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 ...
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Nov 30, 2011
Keyon
rated it: 
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 thi
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Nov 10, 2011
Vincent
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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
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Mar 19, 2011
Brandy
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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, w
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Jan 12, 2011
Jan
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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 reso
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Jul 20, 2010
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 eye 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 eye More...
Feb 04, 2010
Ann
rated it:
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 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 More...
Jul 07, 2009
bjneary
rated it:
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 h
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Oct 31, 2010
Christina
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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
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Jul 03, 2011
Yvonne
rated it:
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 h
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Nov 04, 2010
Cathy
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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
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Apr 26, 2010
Rita
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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
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Jul 29, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
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
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Apr 18, 2011
J
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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 More...
Jan 04, 2011
Tina
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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
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Mar 14, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
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 h
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Feb 01, 2012
Andrea
rated it: 
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
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Dec 31, 2010
Andy
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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. More...
I also enjoyed it as an adult. More...
Jan 31, 2011
Jennifer
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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.
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May 24, 2011
Adrian
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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
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Jun 17, 2011
Chris
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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 refle
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Nov 03, 2010
Alicia
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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.
R More...
R More...
Jan 11, 2011
Brayan
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I picked this book because it seemed really interesting to read. The little preview of the book caught my attention and so i started to read it. This book is realistic fiction because it tells many things that would happen in real life. The setting of this book is in New York. Martin which is the main character is a very innocent boy in the story until one day coming back from court he gets attacked by another inmate and gets slash on the face. He'll have that mark on his face for the rest
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Aug 05, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Author Paul Volponi's real-life experience working with kids behind bars is the inspiration for RIKERS HIGH. His work teaching adolescent inmates to read and write help give this novel a realistic tone that will speak to teen as well as adult readers.
Martin is weeks away from being released from Rikers Island. He earned his time there for giving an undercover cop information about where to buy drugs More...
Author Paul Volponi's real-life experience working with kids behind bars is the inspiration for RIKERS HIGH. His work teaching adolescent inmates to read and write help give this novel a realistic tone that will speak to teen as well as adult readers.
Martin is weeks away from being released from Rikers Island. He earned his time there for giving an undercover cop information about where to buy drugs More...
Jul 19, 2011
Kok Thong
rated it:
What I like about the book is that the writer gave readers a glimpse into what goes on behind the bars of a juvenile prison.
Written in the form of a diary using a simple and straightforward style, the writer has, nevertheless, engaged my senses fully through the vivid descriptions of a juvenile inmate's daily experiences to fend off enemies and survive in a prison facility. The book provides a window through which we could view a facet of life that many of us would otherwise be un More...
Written in the form of a diary using a simple and straightforward style, the writer has, nevertheless, engaged my senses fully through the vivid descriptions of a juvenile inmate's daily experiences to fend off enemies and survive in a prison facility. The book provides a window through which we could view a facet of life that many of us would otherwise be un More...
Mar 19, 2010
Christine
rated it:
Written by a teacher who really taught kids at Riker's Island, this book gave a glimpse at the inner workings of a juvenile jail. Martin, the main character, is a likeable kid and I found myself rooting for him. A lot of the instances in the book were drawn from what really happened. A good read for adolescents - might sway them away from the dark side a bit.
I definitely recommend going online to paulvolponibooks.com to read the epilogue to Martin's story. It's very satisfying.
I definitely recommend going online to paulvolponibooks.com to read the epilogue to Martin's story. It's very satisfying.
Jun 07, 2010
Claudia
rated it:
Volponi understands teens in jail...he's been their teacher. That background brings a reality to this novel about Martin, stuck in the system, jailed at Rikers, waiting for his day in court. Martin has been reduced to '40' by a system that probably at one point was designed to protect these kids...but we see from Martin's eyes, there's not a lot of protection to be had.
But school is an escape. The boys who attend classes really DO want to better themselves. They all have a dream of More...
But school is an escape. The boys who attend classes really DO want to better themselves. They all have a dream of More...
Apr 21, 2011
Evan
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 13, 2011
Arlie
rated it:
The narrator in Rikers High take the reader through two weeks (one week?) in jail. It was interesting - sad, as I'm sure Volponi's picture was fairly accurate. (He taught at Rikers High for several years.) Unfortunately, it was yet another tale of injustice: teachers who don't care about their kids, corrections officers who mistreat the inmates, superiors who lie. Thankfully there are a few teachers in the story who care - I hope that's also the truth in real life.
Jan 04, 2012
Joanne
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I read this book for a YA Lit class. The story of a boy sent to jail for a very minor crime. As he awaits his trial which will get him sent home, he spends his time in a juvenile unit with other kids. At the jail there is a school program and he is allowed to go. We meet the different teachers, inmates and correctional officers who all have well crafted personalities. A well done book that teaches kids that education is power.
Feb 27, 2011
Anna
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Rikers High is a very interesting book that is different from anything I've ever read. It's a very interesting tale about what it's really like in jail and what the teenagers in the jail system are like. It says in the beginning of the ARC that Rikers High is based off of stories that happened when Volponi was a teacher there.
The only thing that I can really complain about with Rikers High is that I never felt connected to the main character. I felt like I was just reading the More...
