Murder Among Friends: How Leopold and Loeb Tried to Commit the Perfect Crime

 Bibliography:

Fleming, Candace. 2022. MURDER AMONG FRIENDS: HOW LEOPOLD AND LOEB TRIED TO COMMIT THE PERFECT CRIME. Anne Schwartz Books. ISBN: 0593177428.

Plot Summary:

The twisted story of two teenagers who were so bored in their high society lives that they decided to kidnap and brutally murder a child they knew. This is a readable true-crime story based on an event the "crime of the century", and how they got saved from the death penalty.

Critical Analysis:

This is a must-read for those crime junkies out there. I am one of those and I was blown away by this story. For two boys who had everything to kill a child just because was just flabbergasting to read about.  They were family and they lived right around the corner for each other and to think of the family having to see them during this all is so saddening. In the end, they were caught because of a pair of glasses, and when the sentencing came down those arounds were in shock. No death penalty and to think of what these teenage boys did; just didn’t make sense. Yet, it shows how money, especially in this era, could help you get away with murder. Yes, they still served time but was it enough for what they did?  I do question the age of 12 and up for this book but I know children can hear and see much worse on the internet so if you think your child is mature enough then it is a good read. I did research more after reading this book and Booby Franks's family never healed. This story has been depicted in many other books and films.

Review Awards and Excerpt(s):

★ "Fleming [is] a master of meticulously researched nonfiction.... Erudite, readable, and appalling." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "In the field of YA narrative nonfiction, Fleming continues to outdo herself." —The Horn Book, starred review

★ "The engrossing true-crime narrative style and high-interest subject will likely make this a very popular pick among teen readers.... Thought-provoking reading sure to spark further conversations about crime and punishment." —Booklist, starred review

★ "A chilling page-turner with compelling psychoanalytic aspects not often seen in young adult nonfiction. Highly recommended." —School Library Journal, starred review

Connections:

-       This would be for older students, and you could use the book to study criminology.

-       Researching what happened to these men once released from prison, or if they even got out.

-       Studying the psychology of these men and what drove them to commit such a hideous crime.