PRESS RELEASE: Author Coe Booth Visits Juvenile Hall
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—October 29, 2008—In collaboration with Amy Cheney of the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center and Rachel Bernstein of the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center Library, City Youth Now sponsored a visit by author Coe Booth to the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center. Booth spoke to the youth about her books, Tyrell and Kendra, the first of which won the LA Times Book Prize. Booth was able to speak to three groups of detained youth while visiting Juvenile Hall. She came offering insight into the mind of a writer and to her own life experiences.
Throughout the three sessions, the youth wanted to know what inspired Booth to write. Booth replied by saying that she always has ideas floating around. She used to be 'that' student sitting in class, writing, instead of paying attention to the teacher. Although she had always been interested in writing, Booth never thought that it could be her job. After countless other jobs that didn't seem to satisfy her, Booth's friends set her on track. Booth went back to school to get her Master's Degree in writing and had her first book, Tyrell, published upon graduation. Today, after writing two popular young adult books, Booth has changed her view of what writing can become.
Interestingly enough, the conversation soon turned toward Booth's education. Booth urged the youth to seriously think about college. Having grown up in the inner-city neighborhood of the Bronx, Booth had her own obstacles to overcome. Booth says, "I tried my best not to make bad decisions. I like to say I had a lot of life experience before I started writing." Booth helped to make college sound possible to these youth and helped them to get over some stereotypical barriers to it. "There is financial aid available. There are scholarships and special programs that can accommodate your needs. Don't let the lack of money hold you back. You can make it work." Overall, Booth's visit was an eye-opening one.
About Coe Booth:
Born and raised in New York City, in the borough of the Bronx, Booth has certainly made some great accomplishments for herself. After she graduated from college in 1996, she started working with teenagers and families in crisis. This was the inspiration for her first novel, Tyrell. www.coebooth.com
About City Youth Now:
City Youth Now supports youth in the San Francisco foster care and juvenile justice systems by providing funds for services and programs that promote stability and personal growth. www.cityyouthnow.org
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Press Contact:
Brittany Jarabek
Executive Director
City Youth Now
brittany@cityyouthnow.org
