Writing From the Margins: Exploring the Writing Practices of Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

The book is a critical examination of the complex role of writing in court-involved young adults’ lives. The purpose of this book is to provide an in-depth look at how writing might possibly be the best opportunity to give students multiple tools to deal with their circumstances in life: to give them a voice to express themselves; an opportunity to recognize their strengths; a way to document their aspirations; and chance to give them hope. Furthermore, this book will advocate for literacy instruction that is grounded in research, and will advocate for youth to be creative meaning-makers, and finally this book will underscore the power of writing as a way to amplify beliefs and life experiences. This book includes current research that supports a framework for teaching writing, particularly for those youth who are marginalized and disenfranchised, while considering the meaning of equity in education.