We're Not Monsters: Teens Speak Out about Teens in Trouble [Paperback]

Sabrina Solin Weill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 2002

I think adults miss something very important about teenagers. They think teenagers are dangerous I little vortexes of evil. I. But my friends and I have so much more we'd rather do than waste time gathering guns and ammunition and stuff. My friends and I are not harmful. But inconsiderate treatment can stir to terrible action those who are." -- John, 15

"We are human beings, not machines. A person can only take so much before reaching a breaking point." -- Jill, 19

We've all seen the newspaper stories, watched the TV dramas unfold. They're everywhere, it seems: teenagers who shoot classmates in schools, who molest children, who commit suicide or cut themselves or give birth in secret and leave babies on doorsteps or in Dumpsters, Are these teenagers born bad -- or did something happen to make them act this way? Why do teens today feel so angry, so full of pain, so alone?

Listen to the voices of teenagers as they comment, candidly, on teens in trouble. The experts, those who study these difficult issues and discuss them in the media, draw their own conclusions. The teens here tell it like it is.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

School shootings, suicide, self-injury, and sex crimes Sabrina Solin Weill takes on tough topics in We're Not Monsters: Teens Speak Out About Teens in Trouble. Each chapter offers a roundup of the issues, facts and statistics, plus advice and the voices of teenagers themselves, gathered from extensive interviews and hundreds of Web postings. Suggestions for further reading as well as phone numbers and Web addresses of organizations designed to help are included.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up-With candor and a mix of teenage testimony and professional advice, this book sheds light on some of the most disturbing contemporary issues: teen killers, suicide, sexual offenders, dangerous sex with older men and women, infanticide, and self-injury. Weill explores the reasons for the emergence of these societal problems and admonishes teens to build connections and communicate with their peers and parents. For each topic, the what, who, why, and how are addressed along with warning signs and possible solutions. Relevant profiles of teens who made the news and "Scary Stats" close each chapter. Written for teens and concerned adults, this open, forthright discussion taps the experiences, attitudes, and opinions of an array of young people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds across the United States. These teens speak out about the behaviors of their troubled peers and share their insights on why they occur. Information and observations from experts offer constructive responses to deviant behaviors. Although there is no index, an appended list of resources is helpful. Rosen has published separate self-help titles on each of these issues in its hi/low "Need to Know Library" series. However, We're Not Monsters offers a more widely documented, higher-reading level presentation. It goes well beyond media coverage of shocking incidents in a hopeful effort to unmask and understand adolescent criminals and victims.
Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (January 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380807033
• ISBN-13: 978-0380807031
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,913,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, but not comprehensive, February 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: We're Not Monsters: Teens Speak Out about Teens in Trouble (Paperback)

We're Not Monsters is a excellent, factual portrayal of many of the issues facing teens today. For each topic, there is a wide variety of resources, from basic information and statistics to stories and quotes from other teens. It also clearly explains what a concerned friend can do and gets into some of the social issues involved and potential areas for advocacy. One major gripe that kept me from giving 5 stars: a lot of common, important teen issues (eating disorders for example) aren't covered in here. I was happy with the chapters on teen suicide and self-injury (both topics are near and dear to my heart), and the section on killer teens was interesting, but I was disappointed that the chapter on teen abusers didn't include more information for victims of abuse, and the chapter on teen pregnancy left a lot of potential avenues unexplored. Overall, though, I would recommend this book to teens in trouble, their friends, concerned adults, and anyone curious about what's going on with troubled teens.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars adequate monsters, September 21, 2004

By 

Michael Nolan "Michael Nolan" (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We're Not Monsters: Teens Speak Out about Teens in Trouble (Paperback)

As a collection of stories, this one is adequate. The stories themselves are realistic but seem to be taken from a small unrepresentative portion of society as there are a lot of important teen issues that don't even garner a mention. What is included is well written, but as someone who has worked with teens in crisis for years, I was disappointed that there wasn't more to this book than there was.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for teens, July 16, 2010

By 

Lisa Braun (NE, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: We're Not Monsters: Teens Speak Out about Teens in Trouble (Paperback)

I read this book when I was in high school and I think that it is a great read for teens or those who work with teens. It covers some great topics. And while it doesn't cover everything, it discusses some crucial things and when I read it as a teen it made me think that the book's author did understand what it was like to be a teenager in today's world. Most teens just want to be "normal". This books helps them feel that way, or at least, lets you know that you aren't "abnormal" or a horrible person.