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Book Review of Anton Woode: The Boy Murderer

Anton Woode: The Boy Murderer
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This is an interesting story of an 11-year-old boy who, in 1893, murdered a man in Colorado for his watch. As the book cover states, "Anton Woode was at that awkward age---too old to set free, too young to hang."

The book covers Woode's crime, his trial and prison life, which included one escape. His requests for parole were repeatedly denied, until he helped prevent another jail break. It then covers his life after prison, and his attempt to lead a normal life. The final two chapters discuss juvenile justice in the U.S., then and now.

His trial included some humorous testimony. One prospective juror was asked if he had any sons. He replied, "No sir, my boys have all been girls."

When Woode's father was on the witness stand, he was asked, "Have many children have you had?" To which he replied, "None."

He was then asked," Well, how many has your wife had?"

Although 202 pages long, the book's format and larger than normal type make it an easy and quick read.