Rikers High

An unflinching story about justice, courage, and the life of one young man behind bars.

It started out as an innocent day for Martin, but it quickly turned into his worst nightmare–arrested for something he didn’t even mean to do. And five months later, he is still locked up in jail on infamous Rikers Island. Just when things couldn’t get worse, Martin gets caught in a fight between two prisoners, and his face is slashed. He’s scarred forever, but one good thing comes from the attack: Martin is transferred to a part of Rikers where inmates must attend high school. When he meets his caring and understanding teacher, will Martin open up and learn from his situation? Or will he be consumed by prison and getting revenge on his attackers?

“Volponi, who taught on Rikers Island for six years, writes with an authenticity that will make readers feel Martin’s fear.”–Publishers Weekly

“Volponi . . . brings to life a believable range of teachers, COs, and inmates and portrays power, hierarchies, and race relations both outside and inside the jail walls with unflinching realism.”–School Library Journal 

“With down-to-earth language based on his own experiences . . . Volponi captures the reader.”–VOYA