Bottom of the Barrel by Freddie King ISBN 1-933265-29-9 “Bottom of the Barrel is a remarkable story lived and written by a remarkable human being. With more Freddie Kings, with the strong sense of ethics and uncanny insights on dealing with underprivileged young people, there could be hope for future generations.

This docudrama is a must for each of us that is concerned with the question “what can be done?” --Lanie Carter, Author: Congratulation You’re a Grandmother and The Miracle Years. Bottom of the Barrel is now available for purchase in our paperback format. To purchase a copy with your credit card, Click "Add To Cart". Paperback Edition (Unsigned) $12.00/Copy  +  $5.50/S & H                    Click Here to Buy!

This story is about a group of young boys ages 13 to 17. Each of them has committed some type of serious crime such as assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft or armed robbery. Most also have a gang affiliation. They also have in common their lack of success at various rehabilitation programs and are now incarcerated in a "last Chance" group home. "The bottom of the Barrel". If they are not successful here they are locked up in the California Youth Authority. Simply, they will start their education in the prep-school for state prison. 

Bottom of the Barrel introduces the audience to these apparent anti-social misfits through the vernier of their hostility, anger and predator instincts. As the story progress the individual personalities emerge and start to portray a human image and the audience is emotionally alined with the individuals struggle. Each child shares the stitictally accurate inability to read above the second grade level. This handicap makes for lighter moments in the story such as when Brill Creme is used as tooth paste. The audience laughs at the moment because they have identified with this youth, they also experience the dark side of humiliation. The pit of their stomach focuses their insight as to why these boys need to protectively group into gangs and violently survive in an environment hostile to their abilities.

The audience also learns that 75% of the adult prisoners and 85% of youth prisoners are illiterate and that the numbers climb higher if white collar crime is taken out of the mix. They also learn that uniformly, true and permanent rehabilitation requires literacy education. They will understand the direct impact on them as well because (i) crime is frequently violent and (ii) even if they are never a victim of crime it  costs $6,000 to $12,000 annually to educate a child and $40,000 to $75,000 dollars annually to house a criminal. Incarnation last longer then education. The next time they complain about the size of the deduction on their pay check they will understand that the deduction is high because we have to pay to house criminals rather then teach youth.

The audience leaves emotionally exercised and stimulated and maybe inspired to help cure the very real problem, in any case, they leave thoroughly entertained.