THE BOOK UNFOLDS THROUGH A SERIES OF VIGNETTES THAT DEAL WITH PERPLEXING AND OFTEN INSURMOUNTABLE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TREATMENT OF INSTITUTIONALIZED DELINQUENTS. EVENTS PORTRAYED IN THE VIGNETTES ARE FIRMLY ROOTED IN REALITY. THEY CONCERN SUCH SUBJECTS AS YOUTHFUL FEELINGS OF PARENTAL REJECTION, MARIJUANA AND DRUG ABUSE, RUNAWAYS, FOSTER HOME PLACEMENT, DIVERSION PROJECTS, STAFF DISAGREEMENTS IN INSTITUTIONS, AND THE TRAUMA OF SUCIDE. THE COMPLEXITY OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR IS DEMONSTRATED IN THE SEEMING INTRACTABILITY OF SOME DELINQUENTS, THE INEPTNESS OF UNTUTORED BUT WELL-MEANING STAFF, INFLUENCES AND COUNTERINFLUENCES OF STAFF, AND RIGIDITIES OF ARCHAIC INSTITUTIONAL PROCEDURES. IN ADDITION TO THE VIGNETTES, THE BOOK CONTAINS A WORKSHOP INTENDED TO AID YOUTH CARE WORKERS, PROSPECTIVE WORKERS, AND THEIR INSTRUCTORS. THE WORKSHOP SUGGESTS A NUMBER OF CONCEPTS AND TECHNIQUES THAT MAY BE EMPLOYED TO ANALYZE MATERIALS IN THE VIGNETTES. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS TO POSE IN THE WORKSHOP AND REFERENCES CONSULTED IN PREPARING THE BOOK ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)