"Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty" by G. Neri

In 1994, Robert "Yummy" Sandifer, received national attention when he made the cover of TIME magazine. Nicknamed Yummy for his love of candy and sweets, he was just 11 years old when he shot and killed a 14-year-old girl. He became a poster child for youth gang violence and drew attention to this heartbreaking problem in his Chicago neighborhood.

This graphic novel illustrates Yummy’s involvement with the Black Disciplines gang, and how he may have joined forces with these criminals in order to escape his sordid home life and absent parents. Told through the narrator’s Robert’s eyes, he explores what may have drawn Yummy into this violent life, and what (if anything) could have been done to avoid such tragedy. This is an excellent, quick read for middle school and higher.

"Always Running - La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A." by Luis J. Rodriguez

This powerful memoir recounts Rodriguez's youth as a gang banger in the barrios of East L.A. in the early 1960's. He served time in prison for attempted murder, had near-death experiences involving crack and heroin, and witnessed the premature death of many friends and neighbors. His language is raw and powerful, this autobiography was written to help deter his own son from following in his gang footsteps. Rodriguez found support within his community, and was able to break free of his gang activity. He is now a leading Chicano author. "Always Running" won a Carl Sandburg Literary Award, and was a New York Times Notable Book. In 1999 the American Library Association called Always Running one of the 100 most censored books in the United States.