Best Teen & Young Adult Homelessness & Poverty Issues

As her mother spirals out of control, Ashley is left clinging to an unpredictable, dissolving relationship, all the while getting pulled deeper and deeper into the foster care system.

The New York Times bestselling true story of an all-American girl and a boy from Zimbabwe and the letter that changed both of their lives forever. What started as chatty letters turned into a lifeline for Martin and his family, as Caitlin and her parents helped the boy stay in school and achieve his goal of studying at an American university. Told in the first person, with chapters alternating between Caitlin's and Martin's points of view, this title effectively conveys both of these young people's perspectives.

The New York Times bestselling true story of an all-American girl and a boy from Zimbabwe and the letter that changed both of their lives forever. What started as chatty letters turned into a lifeline for Martin and his family, as Caitlin and her parents helped the boy stay in school and achieve his goal of studying at an American university. Told in the first person, with chapters alternating between Caitlin's and Martin's points of view, this title effectively conveys both of these young people's perspectives. Caitlin's early chapters, however, in which she discusses friendship and boyfriend woes, feel somewhat superficial compared with Martin's genuinely troubled life. * "Sensitively and candidly demonstrating how small actions can result in enormous change, this memoir of two families' transformation through the commitment and affection of long-distance friends will humble and inspire. "― Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The remarkable tenacity of these two souls pulled like magnets across the world by their opposite polarities - one committed to helping, the other to surviving - is deeply affecting...It's quite a little miracle of unexpected genuineness. Told in the first person, with chapters alternating between Caitlin's and Martin's points of view, this title effectively conveys both of these young people's perspectives...a strong and inspiring story...and an eye-opening look at life in another culture.

Raised in a once-peaceful area of Pakistan transformed by terrorism, Malala was taught to stand up for what she believes. In this Young Readers Edition of her bestselling memoir, which has been reimagined specifically for a younger audience and includes exclusive photos and material, we hear firsthand the remarkable story of a girl who knew from a young age that she wanted to change the world -- and did. "Although her efforts to attend school, and the subsequent attack she endured, make for a powerful story, Yousafzai writes just as vividly about her daily life as a child in Pakistan.... Yousafzai's fresh, straightforward voice creates an easily read narrative that will introduce a slew of younger readers to both her story and her mission. [Yousafzai's] strong voice and ideals come across on every page, emphasizing how her surroundings and supportive family helped her become the relevant figure she is today....― SLJ.

Meticulously researched, drawing on the 658 letters Vincent wrote to Theo during his lifetime, Deborah Heiligman weaves a tale of two lives intertwined and the extraordinary love of the Van Gogh brothers. Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards Winner, Nonfiction "A remarkably insightful, profoundly moving story of fraternal interdependence and unconditional love." This illuminating glimpse into the van Goghs’ turbulent life and historical period will add compelling depth to readers’ understanding of the iconic painter. ". "An intensive exploration of their turbulent lives" ― Publishers Weekly , starred review , on Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers. "This title is a treasure for readers who want to immerse in a roiling domestic drama and who don’t back away from a good cry" ― The Bulletin , starred review , on Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers. "Passion, intimacy and family love propel this masterful, suitably impressionistic portrait of the relationship of artist Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo. "The unlikely, and happy marriage of Charles Darwin and Emma Wedgewood comes to life in Heiligman's intelligent and fast-moving book."

Whether it’s online, on TV, or in magazines, images of impossibly perfect—and mostly Photoshopped—young women are everywhere. In The Body Image Workbook for Teens , you’ll find practical exercises and tips that address the most common factors that can lead to negative body image, including: comparison, negative self-talk, unrealistic media images, societal and family pressures, perfectionism, toxic friendships, and a fear of disappointing others. I can’t wait to use the wisdom in these pages with the girls I work with!”. — Rosalind Wiseman , author of Queen Bees & Wannabes , the book that inspired the motion picture, Mean Girls. Filled with activities and peer anecdotes, this book helps girls identify the specific steps to confidently navigate the journey toward self-love. There are few educators who understand girls as well as her, and The Body Image Workbook for Teens is an exceptional example. Educators, school counselors, therapists, parents, and of course, teens—this is the tool we have been waiting for!” —Lisa Flynn , founder and director of ChildLight Yoga and Yoga 4 Classrooms , and author of Yoga 4 Classrooms Card Deck and Yoga for Children: 200+ Yoga Poses, Breathing Exercises, and Meditations for Healthier, Happier, More Resilient Children.

Essays by family and friends help to tell Esther’s story along with an introduction by award-winning author John Green who dedicated his #1 bestselling novel The Fault in Our Stars to her. John Green dedicated The Fault in Our Stars (2012) to Esther, and in his introduction to this memoir, he notes that while he’s proud of Fault’s success, “the one person I most want to read it never will.” Featuring essays from friends, family, and doctors and curated by her parents, this collection—part autobiography, portfolio of her fiction and drawings, and photo album—is a touching eulogy, and it fulfills her dream to be an author.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion marks the stunning debut of a provocative new voice in contemporary fiction: The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting coming-of-age story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up. What is most notable about this funny, touching, memorable first novel from Stephen Chbosky is the resounding accuracy with which the author captures the voice of a boy teetering on the brink of adulthood. We learn about Charlie through the letters he writes to someone of undisclosed name, age, and gender, a stylistic technique that adds to the heart-wrenching earnestness saturating this teen's story. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day, and how they are able to cope with having three quizzes and a book report due on top of that. With the help of a teacher who recognizes his wisdom and intuition, and his two friends, seniors Samantha and Patrick, Charlie mostly manages to avoid the depression he feels creeping up like kudzu.

Teen advocate and trailblazer Jazz Jennings--named one of "The 25 Most Influential Teens" of the year by Time --shares her very public transgender journey, as she inspires people to accept the differences in others while they embrace their own truths. This groundbreaking interview was followed over the years by other high-profile interviews, a documentary, the launch of her YouTube channel, a picture book, and her own reality TV series--I Am Jazz--making her one of the most recognizable activists for transgender teens, children, and adults. Jazz has faced many challenges, bullying, discrimination, and rejection, yet she perseveres as she educates others about her life as a transgender teen. PRAISE FOR JAZZ JENNINGS: "Jazz is one of the transgender community's most important activists." I found it deeply moving in its simplicity and honesty.” — Laverne Cox, acclaimed actress and transgender advocate “A terrific and timely book that explains to kids what it means to be transgender and — more importantly — that reminds kids our similarities are much more important than our differences.” — New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult “All young people — regardless of difference — deserve the things Jazz shares in her lovely book: a loving family, supportive friends, and the freedom to be their true selves. A beautifully illustrated and accessible primer on one trans girl's journey of living her truth.” — Janet Mock , New York Times Bestselling author of Redefining Realness “ I Am Jazz is honest, inspiring, and beautiful—but its greatest strength is it never apologizes for being different.” — New York Times bestselling author. Brad Meltzer.

This positive, straightforward book offers kids with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) their own comprehensive resource for both understanding their condition and finding tools to cope with the challenges they face every day. The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders covers all of these areas, with an emphasis on helping children gain new self-understanding and self-acceptance. [a] big thumbs up to [the] authors for tackling a tough subject and giving voice to the very group it impacts—kids with autism.”—Louise Sattler, school psychologist, contributor to Education.com. They have produced an informative, practical guide for late elementary and middle school students that neither talks down to them nor floats above their heads.”— VOYA. “This book is designed to be a resource for the entire ‘team of helpers’ rooting for every child trying to reach [his or her] full potential, including parents, teachers, friends, and support staff. “Filled with useful, accessible advice; appealingly colorful, and jauntily illustrated, The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders should be one of the first books a family buys after a diagnosis. I wish it had been around when my own son was the right age for it, but I’m glad it’s here now; it will be invaluable to so many children and their families.”—Claire LaZebnik, coauthor of Overcoming Autism and Growing Up on the Spectrum.

Cooking for teens, like finding the perfect gift for teen boys and girls, is almost impossible. MEGAN CARLE and JILL CARLE are both graduate students at Arizona State University.

When the war began, Irene Gut was just seventeen: a student nurse, a Polish patriot, a good Catholic girl. Forced to work in a German officiers' dining hall, she learns how to fight back. She spent a year tending to the ragtag remnants of a Polish military unit, hiding out in the forest with them; was captured and raped by Russians; was forced to work in a Russian military hospital; escaped and lived under a false identity in a village near Kiev; and was recaptured by the Russians. In translating Opdyke's experiences to memoir (see Children's Books, June 14), Armstrong and Opdyke demonstrate an almost uncanny power to place readers in the young Irene's shoes.

These questions sparked Gaby’s high school senior project: faking her own pregnancy to see how her family, friends, and community would react. But more than that, Gaby’s story is about fighting stereotypes, and how one girl found the strength to come out from the shadow of low expectations to forge a bright future for herself. Gaby Rodriguez made national headlines in 2011 when, as a seventeen-year-old high school senior from Toppenish, Washington, she revealed she had faked a pregnancy for a class project.

You're surrounded by sex constantly--in movies, on TV, video games, music, the Internet. Every Young Man’s Battle shows you how to rise above today's debased, self-seeking culture by examining God's standard, training your eyes and mind, cleaning up your thought life, and developing a plan. Steve Arterburn and Fred Stoeker, the authors of the hard-hitting best-seller Every Man?s Battle, now focus on the temptations young single Christian men like you face every day?and they offer workable, biblical strategies for achieving sexual purity. Every Young Man?s Battle will show you how to train your eyes and your mind, how to clean up your thought life, and how to develop a realistic battle plan for remaining pure in today?s sexually soaked culture.

In. Sexual Assault: The Ultimate Teen Guide. , Olivia Ghafoerkhan describes the various ways sexual violence can be perpetrated, discusses myths many teens believe about the subject, and outlines how young adults can get the help they need to begin the healing process. This important teen guide performs two crucial functions: educating teens on numerous myths associated with sexual assault, and showing teens how to help both themselves and their friends. Given that teens are, according to the author, more likely to confide about these assaults to their friends rather than to an adult, Sexual Assault: The Ultimate Teen Guide. provides essential guidance for the all-too-many teens who have to confront these issues.... The author begins by discussing the many ways sexual assault happens, followed by the myths that surround the situations and the ways a person can get help if it happens to them. The author discusses how important it is to speak up about instances of sexual assault, but that many times the person to whom the victim speaks is a friend who may not be able to help.

Surviving her suicide attempt but losing her legs launched Kristen into an even deeper battle with depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as unrelenting physical pain—all from the seat of a wheelchair. For anyone struggling to find the strength to go on, the message of this heart-wrenching yet hope-building book is a clear and extraordinary reminder that even when we give up on life, God doesn’t give up on us. Kristen Jane Anderson’s riveting story unmasks the thief and gives hope a face.”. —Dr. I hope you’ll read her story, see her smile, and know why she lives.”. —Michael Easley, former president, Moody Bible Institute.

The workbook is made up of 42 step-by-step self-help activities designed to help you learn anti-bullying tips and strategies, manage emotions such as anxiety, fear, anger, and depression, and learn constructive communication skills to help you express your feelings. If you are experiencing bullying, this book will offer sound psychological support to help you gain confidence in yourself and in your interactions with others. “ The Bullying Workbook for Teens is a remarkable, relevant resource for both teens and professionals.

A Young People's History of the United States is also a companion volume to The People Speak, the film adapted from A People's History of the United States and Voices of a People’s History of the United States. In his books, including A People’s History of the United States , its companion volume Voices of a People’s History of the United States , and countless other titles, Zinn affirms the power of the people to influence the course of events.

The Secret to Teen Power makes the knowledge of the law of attraction accessible and relevant to today's teens.