Last Chance In Texas Summary

John Hubner, the author of Last Chance in Texas, lives in Santa Cruz, California with his wife and two children. He used to work as a staff writer for the Boston Phoenix. After that, he worked a magazine writer and then an investigative reporter for many years at the San Jose Mercury News and is now the regional editor there (Penguin Random House). In this book, Hubner examines what a normal day is like behind the gates of the Giddings State School. He tells his story not only from his experiences being at the facility, but also by sharing other people’s experiences. Hubner talks with and gets insights from therapists, students, coaches, teachers, and even some parents to get all the information necessary to complete this book. Elena and Ronnie

The introduction talks about the juvenile facility called the Giddings State School that lies in the small town of Giddings, Texas. Hubner primarily talks about the State School and how it is ran to be one of the best in the country. During both part one and two, Hubner tells his readers the life stories that were told by students and everything else that goes on during a Capital Offenders Group session. Part one consists of chapters one through seven. In these chapters, Hubner tells his readers everything he experienced when he observed what it was like on the boys’ side of the Giddings State School by watching group sessions through a one-way mirror and by talking with the Giddings faculty. Part two consists of chapters eight through twelve. In these chapters, Hubner now tell his readers about the girls’ side of the Giddings State School. The thesis of the book is examining the spike in violent juvenile crime between the years 1984 and

It had many facts and resources to help the reader get a greater understanding of the Giddings State School and how it operates. Although the book very entertaining, it was also heartbreaking and unsettling at certain times. Hubner’s thesis is neither supported nor not supported. His thesis is examining the spike in violent crimes within ten years, but there is never a clear answer as to why the crimes went up. He found a way to tell these kids’ stories while also shining a light on the ties between physical/emotional abuse and violence; children grow up inflicting violence on others when they themselves were once the victims of that