44 pages • 1 hour read
John HubnerLast Chance in Texas: The Redemption of Criminal Youth
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2005A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Last Chance in Texas by John Hubner follows the author’s nine months observing juvenile offenders in the Capital Offenders Group program at Giddings State School in Texas. Hubner watches therapy sessions and interviews staff, revealing how storytelling and role-playing aid rehabilitation. He focuses on Ronnie and Elena, showing their journeys from neglected, abused childhoods to empathetic individuals. The book includes graphic descriptions of child abuse, sexual assault, and other violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Last Chance in Texas by John Hubner offers a profound exploration of a Texas juvenile facility that employs innovative rehabilitation methods for violent offenders. Reviews praise its in-depth research and empathetic storytelling. However, some critics argue the narrative occasionally veers into sentimentality, detracting from its factual strength. Overall, it’s a compelling read on juvenile justice.
Who Should Read Last Chance in Texas?
Readers captivated by the complexities of juvenile rehabilitation, social justice, and true crime will find Last Chance in Texas by John Hubner compelling. Fans of books like The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore or Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson will appreciate Hubner’s in-depth exploration of troubled youths and transformative justice.