A young girl in juvie receives a letter from her favorite writer, whose past resembles her own (03:30). Luis Rodriguez, author of Always Running: La Vida Loca Gang Days in L.A , joins us for a very special episode of "Thursdays In Juvie" (09:13). . Luis Rodriguez is an award-winning author and Poet Laureate of Los Angeles. Rodriguez' accolades include: the Carl Sandburg Literary Award, a New York Times Notable Book recognition, a Lannan Foundation Fellowship, a Poetry Center Book Award, the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award, and the Paterson Poetry Prize. His children’s books, América Is Her Name (Curbstone Books, 1996) and It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way: A Barrio Story (Children’s Book Press, 1999), were awarded The Paterson Prize for Books on Young People, two Skipping Stones Honor Awards, and a Parent’s Choice Book Award. (Poetry Foundation) . Thursdays in Juvie is brought to you by Advot. Advot is a nonprofit that uses arts education to empower system-impacted youth. To learn more, visit: https://www.advot.org . . . Executive Producers: Sara Acevedo, Naomi Ackerman Editor: Brendan Flavin Music: Patrick Burns Audio Engineers: Kennia Almonte, Calista Pineda Special thanks to the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory and Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural & Bookstore…