Library Book Discussion with Tewksbury Author May 12

Courtesy Photo: Author Jean Trounstine

TEWKSBURY, MA – Author Jean Trounstine will discuss her new book, “Boy With A Knife: A Story Of Murder, Remorse, and Prisoner’s Fight For Justice,” on Thursday, May 12, from 7-8 p.m., at the Tewksbury Public Library.

Nearly a quarter of a million youth are tried, sentenced, or imprisoned as adults every year across the United States. On any given day, ten thousand youth are detained or incarcerated in adult jails and prisons.

Putting a human face to these sobering statistics, Trounstine will tell the local story of Karter Kane Reed, who, at the age of 16, was sentenced to life in an adult prison for a murder he committed in 1993 in a high school classroom. Twenty years later, in 2013, he became one of the few men in Massachusetts to sue the Parole Board and win his freedom. Attendees will be taken step-by-step through Karter's crime, trial, punishment, and survival in prison, as well as his readjustment into regular society.

Trounstine will then offer a searing critique of the practice of sentencing youth to adult prisons.

"With skillful storytelling and rigorous research, Jean Trounstine shows us why young people engage in crime and violence, and how we can create rehabilitation and redemption for those caught up in the system,” says Piper Kerman, author of "Orange is the New Black." “[She] shows why youth justice should move to the top of our national priorities if we want safe and equitable communities for all Americans.”

Jean Trounstine is involved in prison activism and speaks often on the subject here and abroad. She is the author of the highly praised "Shakespeare Behind Bars: The Power of Drama In Women's Prison," about her decade directing plays and teaching at Framingham Women's Prison in Massachusetts. She has written numerous articles on prison issues for "Boston Magazine," the "Boston Globe Magazine," and other publications, and has been the subject of many articles, radio broadcasts and TV shows, appearing on "The Today Show" and NPR. Trounstine is also a professor emerita at Middlesex Community College and sits on the steering committee of the Coalition for Effective Public Safety in Massachusetts.

Adults and high school students from Tewksbury and beyond are invited to attend this free hour-long event. A Q&A and book selling and signing – for those interested – will take place after the presentation. Due to limited space, attendees are asked to pre-register and reserve their seats by calling 978-640-4490 Ext. 205, emailing rhayes@mvlc.org, or visiting the library’s online calendar of events at www.tewksburypl.org.

The event will take place in the library’s first-floor, handicap-accessible Meeting Room. The library is located at 300 Chandler Street, at the corner of Chandler Street and Main Street (Rte. 38).