Synopses & Reviews
Stress hits these teens from all angles: pressure at school, at home, and in their relationships. The writers describe their stress relief techniques, including exercise, music, writing, and more, and offer inspiring examples of perseverance. Includes tips for cooling down.
Real Teen Voices Series
Teens open up to tell personal stories that tackle difficult, real-life issues. Direct, revealing, and often raw, these voices will ring true for any teen reader who has faced bullying, anger, or stress. Each piece has been selected and edited to appeal to reluctant and emerging readers as young as seventh grade. Readers will be inspired by the writers’ courage and strength in working hard to overcome problems both large and small.
Review
“Teens from New York-based Youth Communication pen autobiographical essays about their struggles with bullies, anger about bad home situations and unfair treatment, and pressure to conform or be successful. While not graphic or overly profane, their well-written stories are often harrowing to read, with frank accounts of abuse, neglect, sexuality, and crushing loneliness . . . What is most striking . . . is the teens’ resilience as they seek aid, learn coping strategies, or find outlets for self-expression.”—School Library Journal
Synopsis
Stress hits these teens from all angles: pressure at school, at home, and in their relationships. The writers describe their stress relief techniques, including exercise, music, writing, and more, and offer inspiring examples of perseverance. Includes tips for cooling down.
About the Author
Youth Communication is a New York–based nonprofit organization that teaches writing, journalism, and leadership skills to inner-city teens. Its mission is to help marginalized youth develop their full potential through reading and writing, so that they can succeed in school and at work and contribute to their communities.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Enjoy the Moment • Ngan-Fong Huang
Ngan-Fong wants to spend time enjoying herself in the present, instead of constantly worrying about the future
House of Stress • Anonymous
Because her stepmother is overwhelmed, the author has to take on the responsibility of caring for her siblings
Yoga Relaxes Me • Niya Wilson
Niya accepts a friend’s offer to try yoga for relaxation
Chanting Helps Me Clear My Mind • Anonymous
The author’s aunt introduces her to Buddhist chanting
Forced to Face College • Matt Lehrer
Matt feels pressured to get into a good college
My Journal Saved My Life • Anonymous
By writing and rereading her diary, the author gains a better understanding of herself and how to handle her emotional problems
She Got Game • Cynthia Orbes
Playing handball helps Cynthia release her anger and have fun
Books Got My Back • Janae Marsh
Janae escapes from her troubled family by reading books
My Favorite Escape • Martin Smith
Basketball gives Martin a sense of freedom
Stressed for Success • SaeRom Park
SaeRom writes about the stress of academic demands
Running My Problems Away • D’nashia Jenkins
When D’nashia runs track, she feels energized and leaves all her problems behind
Worn Down • Anonymous
After her father abandons the family, the author feels weighed down by family responsibilities
Tears of a Clown • Eugene Han
Eugene’s carefree persona masks the pain of a childhood burdened by adult responsibilities, including an incarcerated mother
Worried Sick • Megan Cohen
Megan has always been an obsessive thinker and worrier, but when her anxiety threatens her friendships, she decides to consult a psychologist for advice
Never Good Enough • Chimore Mack
Chimore thought she could be perfect if she just worked a little harder
Feeling the Pressure • Jennifer Baum
Jennifer looks at how several teens face stress and at positive ways to reduce it
Stress Is Not Just for Seniors • Tanya Owens
With schoolwork piling up, Tanya, a high school junior, needs a chat with her older sister to calm down and set priorities
Nature Is My Salvation • Emily OrchierEmily discovers that walking outdoors helps relieve her depression
Do for You • Shanté Brown
Shanté recommends a range of activities—including writing—as a way to battle the blues and negative feelings
My Optimistic Psychic • Tanisia Morris
Whether Tanisia is stressed about school, money, or a bad cold, her father can always reassure and calm her
Tips from Teens on How to Cool Down • various writers
Teens share their favorite techniques for relieving stress
Let’s Talk About Stress • Caitlin Lemmo and Peter Ramirez
A therapist describes the causes of stress, how it affects the body, and what teens can do to relieve it
How to Deal with Stress • Jennifer Ramos
Jennifer interviews a social worker for tips on managing stress
Stress Relief Techniques • Carrie Epstein, therapist
A therapist offers advice
About Youth Communication
About the Editors