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

~ Al Desetta M.A. (Editor), Sybil Wolin Ph.D. (Editor) "Where does it come fromthe ability to be strong?..." (more)
Key Phrases: soldier girl, foster care system, Baby Troy, Youth Communication, Coney Island (more...)

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

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Product Details Reading level: Young Adult Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing (January 15, 2000) Language: English ISBN-10: 1575420791 ISBN-13: 978-1575420790 Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,033 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #64 in  Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Abuse #88 in  Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Emotions & Feelings > Nonfiction

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Where does it come fromthe ability to be strong? Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
soldier girl, foster care system

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Baby Troy, Youth Communication, Coney Island, Puerto Ricans, Tamara Ballard, Charlene Johnson, Jackie Robinson, New York City, Lenny Jones, Tamecka Crawford, Santa Claus, Terry-Ann Da Costa

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 15 books:

• Skin Deep: Real-Life Lesbian Sex Stories by Nicole Foster in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• The Moral Life of Children by Robert Coles on page 135
• Spiritual Resources in Family Therapy by Froma Walsh PhD MSW in Back Matter
• Marisol and Magdalena: The Sound of Our Sisterhood by Veronica Chambers on page 5
• Resiliency in Schools: Making It Happen for Students and Educators, Updated Edition (1-Off) by Ms. Nan Henderson in Front Matter

See all 15 books this book cites

 

20 books cite this book:

• A Leader's Guide to The Struggle to Be Strong: How to Foster Resilience in Teens (Teen-Focused Coping Skills) by Sybil Wolin on 10 pages
• The Courage to Be Yourself: True Stories by Teens About Cliques, Conflicts, and Overcoming Peer Pressure by Al Desetta M.A. on 4 pages
• A Leader's Guide to The Courage to Be Yourself: True Stories by Teens About Cliques, Conflicts, and Overcoming Peer Pressure by Al Desetta M.A. in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
• Booktalks and More: Motivating Teens to Read by Lucy Schall on page 7, page 33, and page 66
• Children At Promise: 9 Principles to Help Kids Thrive in an At Risk World by Tim Stuart on page 51, and Back Matter

See all 20 books citing this book

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	68% buy the item featured on this page: The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times 3.5 out of 5 stars (4) $11.24
	10% buy The Courage to Be Yourself: True Stories by Teens About Cliques, Conflicts, and Overcoming Peer Pressure $11.19
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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews 5 star:  (1) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 3.5 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 4 of 4 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 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)    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 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.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 3.0 out of 5 stars It Realated I like the book because it realated to everyday life and some of the stuff or stories in the book reminded me of me. Read more Published on October 30, 2002 by De'Audra crawford Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575420791
• ISBN-13: 978-1575420790
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,033 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #64 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Abuse
  #88 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Emotions & Feelings > Nonfiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 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 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)

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 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.