Voices from the Streets: Young Former Gang Members Tell Their Stories

by S. Beth Atkin

Photographs, poems, and interviews with former gang members from different regions of the United States depict their experiences.

131 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

S. Beth Atkin is a graduate of Barnard College and started a career as a photographer while assisting on photo shoots for publications including Time, Life, Sports Illustrated, Smithsonian. In 1988 she started a commercial and editorial photography business and moved to California. Her clients have included: Digital Equipment, Pebble Beach Company, Cellular One, National Geographic, San Francisco Chronicle, Cycle World, Houghton-Mifflin, Scholastic Inc., The U.S. Open, Nike, and The Nation.

Atkin lectures about youth issues, her books and photography, continues to do editorial photography and consults, volunteers, and donates her work to at-risk programs for youth and non-profit organizations.

Reviews

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books

[Betsie Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

2020 Reading Challenge - Read a YA Nonfiction Book.

I read Voices from the Streets: Young Former Gang Members Tell Their Stories by S. Beth Atkin. It is insightful but dated (published 1996). I fear a lot has changed in 24 years, and yet, the essence has likely stayed the same. Kids still need love, attention, a mentor, and something to live for (a passion).

Question: What or who inspired you as a youth to excel and become the amazing person you are today?

[Darlene Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. About gangs and why kids join them.

[Anne Diouf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy am I glad I have a strong mom and good influences. Very touching book :)

[Alte Gillum · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was not a very interesting book to me