Book Review- Forty to Life

Forty to Life is the first book I have read by author Dave Jackson. Jackson is the husband of Neta Jackson, author of The Yada Yada Prayer Group Series.

Jackson writes a Christian Novel that looks at the live of Ray, a young gang member who makes a bad choice and ends up in prison with a sentence of Forty to Life.

The book leads the reader into a life that most have never entered. We see life through Ray Slewinski's eyes as a teen living both in the "hood" and in the Correctional System in Chicago. Ray grows up (physically, emotionally and spiritually)throughout the book.

Jackson shows the readers the difficult life that many teens, and adults as well, face when dealing with gangs and violence. It was truly and eye opener. While it may not be on the same level as some "scared straight" books, Forty to Life definitely makes you stop and think about the choices that you make and how they may effect not only your life but the lives of many others.

My favorite line in the book is one that Ray hears- first with his ears only and then with his heart: "HE came to pay a debt HE didn't owe because I owed a debt I couldn't pay"

It did take me longer than usual to get through this book but I am glad that I continued reading it in it's entirety.

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