Are the kids alright?

Sometimes I randomly pick books with similar settings or themes. Recently I read two books that both explore the awfulness of institutions for children.  With the closing of the Iowa Juvenile Home being a hot topic in the local news, I find both of these books very enlightening.

The Panopticon is set in the UK and concerns a young woman with some serious behavioral and emotional disorders. The institution described is  designed to provide continuous supervision of inmates in a prison setting. The irony is that the kids in the story seem to do whatever they want so I guess that the message is that no one cares. The main character, Anais has a history of broken foster homes and dreams of escaping impending lifelong institutionalization.  She makes some progress but ultimately also is self destructive. It was an interesting read but the Scottish slang took some getting used to. I give this book a 3 out of 4 stars. It was interesting but not super original.

Good Kings, Bad Kings is set in Chicago and concerns the staff and residents of a care center for children with emotional, mental and physical disabilities.  I really can't say enough good about this book. First off, you come out of it with a whole new respect for those with a physical disability who are unlucky enough to be wards of the state. Second of all you can see how the privatization of formally State run institutions can go bad. This book really helps me have some perspective on the whole issue of the Iowa Juvenile Home and about nursing homes in general. In addition, the characters are extremely realistic and lovable.  Four out of four stars.