Crime and Forensic Science Young Adult Pairings

Crime and Forensic Science Young Adult Pairings

I am focusing on pairing crime fiction and forensic/true crime

nonfiction for young adults. My inspiration for this topic is the recent

Holiday, many students love scary movies and I recently read My

Friend Dahmer, I really enjoyed it and I know it has a high circulation

at our school library. I would design a display with most wanted signs,

crime tape, magnifying glasses, and evidence bags. I would set the

display up close to the Young Adult section and on a major path in the

library. I would advertise on the library website, Twitter and Facebook

pages. A potential problem could be that some parents may not like

the graphic nature of the material. The benefits of these pairings is

that it can introduce a variety of type of nonfiction books to young

adults.

My first pairing is about Jack the Ripper, a famous serial

killer from London in the 1800s. A study or display is not

complete without Jack the Ripper.

Jack the Ripper: A Journal of the Whitechapel

Murders 1888-1889

Rick Geary

This is a black and white graphic nonfiction work about the

serial killer Jack the Ripper. This case is very fascinating because the killer

was not found and the murders were never solved. I chose this option

because it is done in black and white so it is not as controversial as some of

the other graphic novels about Jack the Ripper.

Stalking Jack the Ripper

Kerri Maniscalo

This gothic thriller is set in the 1800s focuses on a lord’s

daughter who secretly studies forensic science in her

uncle’s laboratory. Her work brings her close to the

investigation of a serial killer which may put her in grave

danger.

My second pairing takes a look at what it looks like when someone is trying

not to be a serial killer. I thought this pairing would be unique because in My

Friend Dahmer, Jeff doesn’t know how to escape his unusual desires and in

I Am Not a Serial Killer, John has a very strict set of rules to ensure he does

not become a serial killer.

My Friend Dahmer

Derk Backderf

This graphic novel is a true accounting of what Jeffrey

Dahmer’s high school experience was like. It is written by

one of his high school classmates and probably one of his

only friends. This memoir gives real insight into some of

the things that probably led him on his path.

I Am Not A Serial Killer

Dan Wells

John is obsessed with serial killers and knows he is

dangerous. Is he really capable of being a serial killer, he

thinks he can prevent it by following a set of rules that will

make him appear as normal as possible. Will he be able to

keep this up when presented with danger?

My third pairing is based on a novel that kind of resembles the Natalee

Holloway case. The first is a novel and the second is an informational text

about forensic science.

Dangerous Girls

Abigail Haas

On a spring break trip to Aruba Anna’s best friend is brutally

murdered. Anna is trapped in the country and everyone is

convinced she is guilty. Will the judge agree or will she be

proven innocent.

Hidden Evidence: 40 True Crimes and How Forensic

Science Helped Solve Them

David L. Owen

This informational text explains the scientific procedures that

helped solve 40 cases. This includes: fingerprinting,

autopsies, handwriting analysis, ballistics, hair sampling,

blood typing, DNA testing, dental records, gas

chromatography, mass spectrometry, compound and electron microscopes,

and toxicology.

My fourth pairing is all about bones, can you solve a crime just based on a

skeleton, can you solve a crime without a body?

The Lovely Bones

Alice Sebold

A family is devastated by their teenage daughter’s

disappearance. Susie describes the murder from heaven,

while the family suffers not knowing what happened. Susie

keeps vigil over her family while hoping her murderer is

found and punished.

Forensic Identification: Putting a Name and Face on

Death

Elizabeth A. Murray

This book looks at how forensic scientists identify victims

and criminals by studying autopsies, facial

reconstructions, fingerprints, and DNA evidence.

My fifth pairing is a novel about cold cases in the FBI being solved with the

help of gifted teenagers and a nonfiction forensic title looking at how forensic science plays a role in the criminal justice system. This would be a great

pairing for those that love TV shows like Criminal Minds and CSI.

The Naturals

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Cassie has been asked by the FBI to help use her gift

at profiling people to help solve cold cases. As Cassie

works with other gifted teenagers to solve these cases

they are caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Blood, Bullets, and Bones: The Story of Forensic

Science from Sherlock Holmes to DNA

Bridget Heos

The author uses real life cases to tell the history of

modern forensic science. In doing this she shows the

the essential part forensics plays in the criminal

justice system.