Welcome to my Books For Incarcerated Youth Page!
This year I decided to participate in this project because children deserve to be children and teens deserve to be teens. Growing up many of us had the experience of going to the school library to pick out a book or two to read at home. It is some of my best memories, because I felt like I was independent since I could take a book of my choosing home. For some of these young people this experience may have been revoked from them, so I would like to give it back to them. Despite the reason they are held at correction facilities, the youth should still be able to pick up a book. Books can motivate, teach, and let their imagination run to escape their reality even for some moments. And books will prepare them more for their release because of the vocabulary and skills they learned about while reading.
How I did it…
I went to family and friends to see if they had any spare books to donate and explained why its important to give books to incarcerated youth since most of their libraries are limited financially. I also went to a few second hand stores to see if there were any books that may interest the youth.
What I donated…
I donated a total of 7 books. Some books are for the imagination and to escape reality for example Tangerine is a book I enjoyed reading with my class. R.L Stien’s The Babysitter and Bridge of Terabithia are books that I picked out in the library when I was a middle schooler and read multiple times. The magician is a book my cousin wanted to share with others. The Vigilant Investor is for older youth that wants to learn about how to invest lawfully donated by a friend. And Running Deep is a book I think those who are interested the submarine life would enjoy. I also included Rufus Estes’ Good things to Eat: The First Cookbook by an African American, for those who are into cooking. 
How to donate…
When donating remember that these kids are going through a rough time, so donating anything that may give them a smile or a new interest is good. But if you want to be more inclusive about who the books are for click here and scroll down for a list of recommended books. I specifically sent the books to the Director of Library Services in Forsyth County, Ga. Director of Library Services
Attn: Medeana Hinson
Upshaw, 2nd Floor
300 Patrol Road
Forsyth, GA 31029
But there are plenty of places that need and would happily receive books all over the country. Just look up where to send it. When sending it through USPS let them know it is media mail for a more economical option.
Additional Information and Readings
Books Can Put Incarcerated Youth on a Productive Path (sanantonioreport.org)
Youth Incarceration Rates in the United States – The Annie E. Casey Foundation (aecf.org)
How A Donated Book Changed This Incarcerated Teen’s Life For Good – MTV