| Don Smarto takes the reader behind the scenes of | | | | reflection, emotions, and values. They are written in a |
| juvenile correctional facilities and into the minds and | | | | strong voice, from the depth of their hearts, in a |
| hearts of incarcerated gang members and troubled | | | | straight forward style. |
| youth in "Heart of the Young Gladiator." The book is | | | | The still photos of incarcerated teens included in the |
| the result of Don's four-hour Writing Seminar, taught | | | | book portray the pensive expressions of loneliness, |
| over a period of six years, in thirty juvenile facilities | | | | hurt, confusion, despair, boredom, hope, and |
| throughout the United States. | | | | expectancy while in custody. |
| The book includes 55 poems written by youth | | | | Don's thirty-three years working with troubled youth |
| participating in the seminars as well as 40 photos of | | | | and his experience in camera work for NBC News, |
| prisoners Don photographed in facilities throughout | | | | documentaries, and presswork for PBS qualify him to |
| America and Russia. Don explains that the purpose of | | | | produce this work of the poetry and photography. |
| "Heart of the Young Gladiator" is to show the | | | | "The Heart of the Young Gladiator" is a |
| potential of youth who have only known negative | | | | heartwarming, eye-opening, account of the realism |
| labels, the impact of social prejudice, neglect, and | | | | experienced by youth held in detention facilities |
| poverty. | | | | throughout our country today. |
| The poems are authentic, simple, original, and | | | | Frontline Press, 978-1450706001, Expressions of |
| imaginative marked by a fierce individuality that | | | | Despair and Hope - Youth in Custody |
| resonate the inner being of the soul. The writing is | | | | As reviewed for Midwest Book Review. |
| haunting, showing amazing insight into self expression, | | | | |