APA handbook of psychology and juvenile justice /

James Baldwin is quoted as saying, "For these are all our children. We will all profit by, or pay for, whatever they become." How true. But what does one do with children (young persons) who violate laws and find themselves in the justice system? This question is the heart of yet another fine title from the American Psychological Association, Handbook of Psychology and Juvenile Justice. Most of those involved in analyzing or working within the system understand that juveniles should be adjudicated differently from adults--if for no other reason than the hope for rehabilitation. But that does not always translate into understanding what to do with juvenile offenders. The 31 chapters in this handbook address the myriad issues one must understand to truly comprehend the complexity of juvenile justice. Dealing with topics from human development to risk factors for offending, interventions, and costs, the handbook paints a clear, comprehensive picture of the juvenile justice system, from its strengths to areas needing improvement. Required reading for those working with juveniles, in an effort either to avoid offenses (proactive) or to rehabilitate those who already have offended. Summing Up: Essential. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, professionals. --Randall E. Osborne, Texas State University