And the winner is.........

The ALA (American Library Association) announced its book winners for this year. Paul Volponi's book Rikers High was on the list of Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.

Congratulations to Mr. Volponi! Well done!

Author Interview: Paul Volponi

Author, Paul Volponi was kind enough to answer a few of my questions about his latest book Rikers High. Check out what he had to say! Thanks again Mr. Volponi!

Rikers High is your latest novel. What was your inspiration?

I wrote Rikers High to be a mirror reflection on what life was like for teens (1992-'98) in a huge and impersonal jail facility which housed school.

Martin is attacked while in prison and his face is slashed. Can that happen in a real prison?

Yes, the slashing that happened to Martin can occur to teen inmates on Rikers, although that kind of extreme violence is not the norm.

Why do you think Martin's friends abandon him when he is in Rikers?

It's too much trouble to visit him. Normally, your friends cut you loose quick, and only your family stays by your side.

Is Martin based on a real person?

Martin's story represents the journey of several teens I knew.

In all of your novels your characters swear. Why is that?

My characters use the language that people use in tense situations. Otherwise, you book would not be real and that mirror image I mentioned would be distorted.

Are you working on a new book? Can you tell us about it?

Crossing Lines is next, about a macho teen football player who must learn to be around his sisters friend- a boy and classmate who decides he feels more comfortable wearing first lipstick and then a dress. Also, in a few years, I will have part II to Black and White, which I think will be called Marcus and Eddie.

Life ain't easy on the inside...

Paul Volponi's newest book has hit bookstores. I am a huge Volponi fan. My male students eat up his novels. So whenever he writes something I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Mr. Volponi was kind enough to send me an ARC of Rikers High.

This novel is different than his other ones because it takes place in prison instead of on the streets. Martin Stokes was arrested when he told an undercover cop where to buy drugs. He then found himself shipped off to Rikers to await trial..a trial that is taking far too long.

What happens next is Martin's experiences in prison. There are so many subjects that are touched upon including loneliness, race relations, how the young inmates feel and their pecking order. What's great about this book is Mr. Volponi taught on Rikers so he saw what happened to these young teens as they struggle to make it out or get caught up in the system. The story is gritty, but the language is tamer in this novel than in previous books. Once again everything is touched upon including the sensitive subject of suicide. Mr. Volponi's characters feel real, which I think is one of the reasons male students like to read his novels.

I enjoyed this book and I think students looking for urban, realistic fiction will enjoy Rikers High.