The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times [Paperback]

Al Desetta M.A. (Editor), Sybil Wolin Ph.D. (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Dream It! Do It! | Publication Date: January 15, 2000

Jamel loses his friends to marijuana; Artiqua dates a boy of another race despite her family’s opposition. Youniqiue was abandoned by her mother; Charlene is raising her brothers and sisters because their mother is addicted to drugs; Craig is gay and worried about coming out.

All of these teens have more than their share of troubles. And all have the resiliency needed to face them, live through them, and move forward with courage, confidence, and hope.

In 30 first-person accounts, teens tell how they overcame major life obstacles. Many aren’t the everyday problems most kids encounter, which makes their stories especially compelling—and their successes especially inspiring.

As teens read The Struggle to Be Strong, they discover they’re not alone in facing life’s difficulties. They learn about seven resiliencies—insight, independence, relationships, initiative, creativity, humor, and morality—that everyone needs to survive and thrive in even the toughest times. Vivid, articulate, and candid, this book will motivate readers of all ages to build the skills and strengths they need to triumph over adversity.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-A self-help book written predominately by African-American, Latino, and Asian teens who have attended writers' workshops sponsored by Youth Communication, a nonprofit organization in New York City. Short entries are grouped together into seven categories that the editors call "resiliencies." Categories are: "Insight," "Independence," "Relationships," "Initiative," "Creativity," "Humor," and "Morality." The young people talk about their experiences with drug-addicted, alcoholic, or abusive parents; friends or parents with AIDS; school problems; homosexuality; and foster care. Throughout the book, teens are encouraged to be a part of the solutions and emerge victorious from hardships in life, rather than remaining victims. Thought-provoking questions end each piece, and a brief note tells a little about its author. The articles were first published in New Youth Connections or Foster Care Youth United. Easy to read and often inspiring, these selections will fill a need for many teens, including reluctant readers.
Kim Harris, Newman Riga Library, Churchville, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Engaging, empowering testimony to today’s teens struggling to make something of themselves.” —Voice of Youth Advocates

 “Easy to read and often inspiring.” —School Library Journal

 “An important resource.” —Youthworker

Parent's Guide Award

Parent Council®  Selection

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575420791
• ISBN-13: 978-1575420790
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #592,960 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have over 20 years of editorial experience, with outstanding references from publishers, editors, authors, and collaborators. My work has received numerous awards, as well as praise from Jonathan Kozol, Marian Wright Edelman, and Martin Seligman, among others.

As a developmental editor, I help authors conceptualize, shape, rewrite, and correct their manuscripts for submission to publishers. I've worked on book projects for Free Spirit Publishing, McGraw-Hill, Simon and Schuster, Corwin Press, Persea Books, Youth Communication, and National Professional Resources, among others.

I've edited books on a wide range of subjects, including:

* education,
* psychology, mental health, and self-help,
* autobiography and memoir,
* peer and family relations,
* young adult issues,
* sexuality,
* diversity and multiculturalism,
* bereavement, and
* conflict resolution.

Find out more about me at http://aldesetta.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for teens!, October 28, 2005

By 

JT (AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times (Paperback)

This is a great book to use with teens who are going through difficult times. I have used it in therapy sessions and my kids have been able to connect to the situations that the young authors write about.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Real Thing" for Teens, June 4, 2008

By 

Nancy Henley (Mount Holly, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times (Paperback)

The stories in The Struggle to Be Strong ring with truth and authenticity to which teenagers can relate. I used this book in my classroom with the high school students I taught in a psychiatric day treatment facility. Their therapist also used it in group with them. No one can speak to our problems like someone who has been there. Their own experiences bring the authority to the teenaged authors of these stories, and their voices speak to other teens who find themselves mired in overwhelming situations. A great book for any teenager; a therapeutic book for those with intense needs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Okay, May 21, 2006

By 

em "em" (MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times (Paperback)

This was an okay book, just not my favorite. It did have some helpful stories and can relate to a lot of the problems teens have today, but some of the stories just seemed to drag on and have not point to them. Other than that, this was a very good book.