The Courage to Be Yourself: True Stories by Teens About Cliques, Conflicts, and Overcoming Peer Pressure

Cassandra is hassled by her friends for sitting with the “wrong” kids at lunch. Jennifer gets harassed because she’s overweight. Dwan’s own family taunts her for not being “black enough.” Yen is teased for being Chinese; Jamel for not smoking marijuana. Yet all find the strength to face their conflicts and the courage to be themselves.

In 26 first-person stories, real teens write about their lives with searing honesty. They will inspire young readers to reflect on their own lives, work through their problems, and learn who they really are.

| In 26 first-person stories, real teens write about their lives with searing honesty. | |

Al Desetta, M.A., was an editor at Youth Communication, a New York based nonprofit organization that teaches writing, journalism, and leadership skills to inner-city teens, from 1985 until 2002.

He is currently a freelance editor.