Dear Diary, I'm Pregnant: Ten Real Life Stories [Paperback]

Anrenee Englandar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 2010

"All teens need to read this book." -- Katherine A. Kelly, RN, BSN, CEN, Nursing Director for Emergency Services, Rideout Memorial Hospital, California

"... provides a much-needed voice -- that of personal experience -- to the literature on the subject." -- School Library Journal

Chosen by the New York Public Library's "Books for the Teen Age" list and hailed by The Globe and Mail for its "... frank, revealing and brave conversations," this is a must-read book for young women looking for reassurance that they are not alone.

In poignant and insightful interviews, Anrenée Englander presents the voices of 10 pregnant teens as they discuss their experiences and choices around motherhood, adoption and abortion. First published to critical acclaim in 1997, this new edition updates the original interviews and includes a new introduction and a new resources section.

Presenting different points of view, Dear Diary, I'm Pregnant is a nonjudgmental source of information for all teens that provides support and guidance for those who find themselves in this difficult situation.

(201003)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A moving and thoughtful collection of interviews. (Canadian Children's Book News 201003)

An important and relevant item for collections in public and school libraries. (CM Magazine 201009)

Thanks Anrenée Englander...[the] stories will give both teens and adults courage to confront their problems. (What If? Canada's Creative Teen Magazine 201003)

A moving and thoughtful collection of interviews. (Canadian Children's Book News 201009)

The book is meant to provide support and to initiate conversations, not to endorse any specific course of action. (Canadian Teacher )

A moving and thoughtful collection of interviews. (Canadian Children's Book News )

Thanks Anrenée Englander...[the] stories will give both teens and adults courage to confront their problems. (What If? Canada's Creative Teen Magazine )

About the Author

Anrenée Englander is interested in women's health issues, particularly as to how they affect youth. She canvassed and interviewed teenage girls throughout North America for this award-winning collection of personal testimonials. Englander currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.

(20101105)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 159 pages
• Publisher: Annick Press; Revised Edition edition (March 18, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554512360
• ISBN-13: 978-1554512362
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,518,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and non-judgmental, July 13, 2010

By 

Jyotsna Sreenivasan "Gender Equality Bookstore" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dear Diary, I'm Pregnant: Ten Real Life Stories (Paperback)

First published in 1997, the book has been updated in 2010 with a new resources section, including emergency hotlines, resources for finding a health clinic, and resources for abortion and adoption.

Dear Diary features 10 teenaged girls who talk about how they decided to keep their baby; give the baby up for adoption; or choose an abortion. They also talk about the consequences of those decisions: their feelings, their lives after giving birth or having an abortion, and their advice to other teens facing a similar situation.

Interestingly, no matter what their own personal decision, all the young women in this book expressed the belief that women should have a choice in this situation-that no one else should force them to make one choice over another.

The interviews are presented without any judgment, and with very little editorial commentary. The young women talk about failed birth control; lack of birth control; drugs and drinking; being homeless; religious beliefs; boyfriends; parents; their love for their baby; and more. Many of the girls said they wanted to participate in the interviews to help other teens. "I just want other people to know that they're not alone," said Rose. "Having a baby isn't going to end your life."

A nonjudgmental book like this one can help teens sort out their own feelings and needs from the demands and opinions of society and family members. I have included this book in my online Gender Equality Bookstore.