Buy new:
$12.20
FREE delivery: Thursday, April 25 on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon.
Ships from: Amazon
Sold by: alibabaa
List Price: $21.95 Details

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Save: $9.75 (44%)
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Thursday, April 25 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$12.20 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$12.20
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon
Ships from
Amazon
Sold by
Sold by
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime
FREE delivery Thursday, April 25 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Friday, April 19. Order within 13 hrs 54 mins
Used: Very Good | Details
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Nice clean copy with no highlighting or writing. We take pride in our accurate descriptions. Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Other Sellers on Amazon
Added
$12.90
FREE Shipping
Get free shipping
Free shipping within the U.S. when you order $35.00 of eligible items shipped by Amazon.
Or get faster shipping on this item starting at $5.99 . (Prices may vary for AK and HI.)
Learn more about free shipping
on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon.
Sold by: KayaBookStore
Sold by: KayaBookStore
(37 ratings)
100% positive over last 12 months
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Shipping rates and Return policy
Added
$12.96
FREE Shipping
Get free shipping
Free shipping within the U.S. when you order $35.00 of eligible items shipped by Amazon.
Or get faster shipping on this item starting at $5.99 . (Prices may vary for AK and HI.)
Learn more about free shipping
on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon.
Sold by: DojoBooks
Sold by: DojoBooks
(1596 ratings)
98% positive over last 12 months
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Shipping rates and Return policy
Added
$19.00
FREE Shipping
Get free shipping
Free shipping within the U.S. when you order $35.00 of eligible items shipped by Amazon.
Or get faster shipping on this item starting at $5.99 . (Prices may vary for AK and HI.)
Learn more about free shipping
on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon.
Sold by: Hope_10
Sold by: Hope_10
(177 ratings)
97% positive over lifetime
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Shipping rates and Return policy
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living Hardcover – March 22, 2011

4.6 out of 5 stars 112

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$12.20","priceAmount":12.20,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"20","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"svs6VdI%2FuXFYl%2BMQx7qHX6Ux7AQJrtw0lWbFI1obJTXbcL5NDTAPBNc899H%2BQq3Al9SPKLkHVyasgffCP96apt%2FPfq8z8v2wB6%2BjZgdPVlZ012pq7PIkHT4d%2BKxcDZQBfQ4GmPtkIxUvlLg1Q7UqdPxyNn5iTWI16S2mun8A8a7KX0Ml4j7xlo8w5EfaDUtu","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$9.01","priceAmount":9.01,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"9","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"01","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"svs6VdI%2FuXFYl%2BMQx7qHX6Ux7AQJrtw0SAryrZyNT%2FlU5yg5wKilBxFJDU%2BNtXSjdJTfgpQz0d5Sy76fqvOLeLPnat%2BxKWnOJFe1k40idkwO351iB9iAoWFLTNF6yreQn0E3oH11wFYwKx8AOctRwQBt4mtfkpp%2BEB2Ehek42FCXV5n4lW%2F9ZKZWinlq1Hc%2F","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Every story can change a life.

  • Watch a video
Growing up isn't easy. Many young people face daily tormenting and bullying, making them feel like they have nowhere to turn. This is especially true for LGBT kids and teens who often hide their sexuality for fear of bullying. Without other openly gay adults and mentors in their lives, they can't imagine what their future may hold. In many instances, gay and lesbian adolescents are taunted - even tortured - simply for being themselves.

After a number of tragic suicides by LGBT students who were bullied in school, syndicated columnist and author Dan Savage uploaded a video to YouTube with his partner Terry Miller to inspire hope for LGBT youth facing harassment. Speaking openly about the bullying they suffered as teenagers, and how they both went on to lead rewarding adult lives, their video launched the It Gets Better Project YouTube channel and initiated a worldwide phenomenon. With over 6,000 videos posted and over 20 million views in the first three months alone, the world has embraced the opportunity to provide personal, honest and heartfelt support for LGBT youth everywhere.

It Gets Better is a collection of expanded essays and new material from celebrities, everyday people and teens who have posted videos of encouragement, as well as new contributors who have yet to post videos to the site. While many of these teens couldn't see a positive future for themselves, we can. We can show LGBT youth the levels of happiness, potential and positivity their lives will reach if they can just get through their teen years. By sharing these stories, It Gets Better reminds teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone - and it WILL get better.

Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Handpicked and heartfelt essays from contributors famous and obscure, gay and straight." — Chicago Sun-Times

"A masterstroke . . . revolutionary." —
Armistead Maupin, author of Tales of the City

About the Author

Dan Savage is the editorial director of Seattle's weekly newspaper, The Stranger. Terry Miller is an event promoter, musician, and DJ. They were married in Canada and live in Seattle with their son, DJ.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dutton; First Edition (March 22, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525952330
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0525952336
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 112

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
112 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2011
What is there to say? Of course this book is great. The entire It Gets Better Project is great and it is making a difference in the lives of LGBT youth. It started with videos, expanded to public service announcements on TV and on March 22, 2011, the six-month of anniversary of Dan and Terry's video going live on YouTube, the book came out, extending the project to a print platform.

It seems a little backwards, doesn't it? Doesn't the movie usually get made from the book? Well yes, but Dan and Terry had a great idea to use social networking as a way to speak directly to LGBT youth. The phenomenal success of the project (at present, there are more than 10,000 videos at the It Gets Better website) demonstrates that there is a need, interest, and support for outreach to young people who may be struggling with their feelings and fears.

And now there is the book. One goal of the project is to have a copy of the book in every single library in the US. Because, guess what--there are probably kids out there who don't have access to the Internet, or whose parents won't let them watch YouTube, or who are so fearful and afraid of what might happen to them if someone found out they were surfing the `net for info on being gay that they don't. So this vast resource that has been created in six short months is not available to them. But hopefully they have access to a library, whether in their school or town, and they can go there and find this book and realize: it gets better.

If you've watched any of the videos, you know what the essays in the book are like. Many are transcribed from the videos but there is also new content, or in Terry Miller's words, "Videos that haven't been made yet." There are lots of famous names but also plenty of stories from ordinary people. The variety of emotions, topics, and thoughts that are presented are important--it is clear that Savage and Miller wanted to make sure that every base was covered so that no child who reads this would feel left out--no matter who you are, where you live, or what your circumstance there is someone else out there in the world who has gone through what you are going through and came out on the other side--and is able to say: it gets better.

This is not the sort of book to read straight through--it's not a novel, after all. It's better to flip though and read essays at random, bookmark those that resonate, and make notes (if you are a note-making-in-the-book type of person). Fortunately, the publisher realized these features apply to e-readers as well as those who enjoy print. The table of contents is linked so that on my Kindle, it was very easy to skip from chapter to chapter.

I think this is an important book to own and equally important to pass on. Consider, please, if you can afford it, buying a copy to give to a friend, a young person, or a library. I just gifted a copy of the paperback to my daughter's high school. Won't you join me and do the same?

Highly recommended.
3 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2011
Continuing the lifesaving efforts started with the It Gets Better Project on YouTube, writer Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller have collected over 100 essays written to teens from celebrities, political leaders and everyday people in the book "It Gets Better." While it's admirable that the collection contains contributors such as President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, young readers will more likely relate with the LGBT adults who candidly share their firsthand experience of coming out, overcoming obstacles and creating a life worth living.

Among my personal favorites by known names within the community are the contributors Alison Bechdel, Kate Bornstein, Kate Clinton and Urvashi Vaid. And I must mention that the book includes an essay by one of my favorite writers, David Sedaris.

In his essay, Sedaris notes: "A gay fourteen-year-old in the year 2010, even one living in the smallest of towns, must surely know that he's not the only homosexual on earth. He might need reminding, though, that all the best people are tormented in junior high school. If they're not getting harassed for being gay, they're bound to get it for being too smart, too loud, or too independent. It's always something, and then you get older, and things change for the better."

Many of the essays that touched me the most are from everyday people, and from various artists with whom I've been introduced by reading this book. For me, a particularly memorable essay is by Gabrielle Rivera, a writer, poet and film director, born and raised in the Bronx, NY.

"First of all," Rivera writes, "it doesn't get better but what does happen is this: You get stronger. You realize what's going on; you see how people are; you see how the world is. And as an adult, you learn how to deal with it. You learn that other people are just crazy and caught up in their own crap."

No matter what our age or the progression of our coming-out process, there are always times when we need encouragement. I suggest reading "It Gets Better." And afterward, consider giving the book to someone else -- perhaps an LGBT or questioning youth.

Looking for another reason to buy the book? All proceeds will be donated to LGBT youth charities.
One person found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2017
I am a CMHC LPC student, specializing in Veterans' and Victim's services. This book was recomnended by one of my professors, and I now highly recomnend it myself. Cultural sensitivity is of the utmost importance in this age of anger and hatred, this book helps to engage your mind in the difficult decision to "come out", and continued support in the life after doing so. Being able to read personal stories in the book helps those of us who don't know their struggles, to better comprehend and empathize.

Great read with critically important life lessons on supporting the LGBTQ community as they seek to find acceptance and peace in a world of misunderstanding.
2 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2022
I’ve read this book on MANY occasions since it came out right after I graduated high school. It does get better, and there may be times even years later that you need that little reminder. This book is great to read, reread, and gift to any area library where LGBTQUI children may need a bit of help coping.

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Tomás Loyola Barberis
5.0 out of 5 stars ¡Estupenda recopilación!
Reviewed in Spain on June 10, 2016
Experiencias, emociones, historias, vivencias, sentimientos... Hay tanto en todos y cada uno de los mensajes que componen este libro, que me quedo corto en palabras para poder describir lo que significa entrar en el mundo privado de personas LGBTIQ+ que comparten aquí, sin tapujos, aquellos momentos difíciles que han dado paso a unas vidas más plenas y felices.
One person found this helpful
Report
Tim Kidd
5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2011
This book is simply uplifting (even the hard passages). As someone who is in the process of coming out later in life it is a piercing education.
One person found this helpful
Report
Dan Filson
4.0 out of 5 stars A worthy compilation of just some of the many It Gets Better messages
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2011
I am a great fan of Dan Savage and his warm and very stark advice on sexual matters from his Seattle lair (he also now travels all over spreading the word) and his caustic but witty commentaries on the humbuggery of those who make life so tough for people who are gay.

His initiative in launching YouTube messages to try to stem the flow of gay and lesbian teen suicides - and suicides of those fingered as gay but not - mushroomed well beyond his own and anyone else's imagination so that now there have been thousands of such messages.

This is a compilation of barely a hundred of those messages, and in a way the warmth of the human straight to camera messages on YouTube is slightly lost in the cold print on page. That's a great shame. Personally I would have omitted the messages from Nancy Pelosi and David Cameron, which read to me like going through motions messages, though keeping that from President Obama. It is the messages from folk who are actually lesbian or gay and who now live happy lives despite all they went through that are the most inspirational.

With that caveat I thoroughly commend this book. Every school library and youth club should have it, casually left where a teen can pick it up. And if you're the parent of a kid you suspect might be gay, get it and leave it around likewise - this may help him/her come out to you, the first step in the rest of their life.
2 people found this helpful
Report