Nicole Collymore
Take-Home Exam
The Bling Ring and Gang Leader for a Day are stories both relating to gang activity. In
both books, the gangs’ behavior related to a life of lies, dreams, and crime. It is almost
impossible to believe that each gang did not have its trials and tribulations. In order to uncover
what each gang went through, a synopsis for each book will be discussed, starting with The
Bling Ring by Nancy Jo Sales.
The Bling Ring by Nancy Jo Sales (based on a true story), is about a group of California
Valley teenagers who robbed famous celebrities by the likes of Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and
Audrina Patridge to name a few. Over the course of a year from 2008-2009, the Bling Ring crew
stole over an estimated $3 million dollars’ worth (p. Preface) of property from well-known
celebrities. The Bling Ring all started with two teenagers Rachel Lee and Nick Prugo. Both Nick
and Rachel did not have the easiest life growing up. Nick grew with anxiety and depression
issues, as did Rachel. Besides their troubled past, both had a common bond for fashion. They
first met at Indian Hills High School. Rachel was a celebrity-obsessed and influenced Nick to be
a part of her lifestyle. The first house Rachel and Nick broke into was Paris Hilton’s. The two
rummaged through all the items in her home especially her closet. From then their obsession
turned into a hobby including several other people along the way.
Rachel and Nick included “friends” Alexis Neiers, Diana Tamayo, Courtney Ames,
Johnny Ajar on their theft activities. The gang of friends lived a double life. They would party
with celebrities in the Hollywood Hills till the wee hours of the morning, yet burglarized the
homes of the hottest celebrities at the time. Each teen was submerged in the glamourous
Hollywood lifestyle, however, because of their selfish and careless ways, all got caught up in a
life of crime they thought they were immortal to. Everyone involved in the gang had a role in the
robbery of celebrity homes taking jewels, guns, clothes, or even selling items they have stolen on
the streets on Hollywood. Because their story was being recorded through the likes of celebrity
news sites of TMZ and E! News, the teens became consumed by their infamous lifestyle.
Eventually, the robberies caught up with the gang. Because of the pressure of getting caught,
Nick eventually told police he committed the Hollywood robberies. One by one, each teen was
arrested and charged with theft. Following their convictions, the gang soon became enemies, all
placing the blame on Nick or each for becoming such criminal activity. Once can say, following
their arrests their lives changed forever.
In Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh, describes the story of a popular drug
