Teen to teen is the motto of the book. To share our knowledge, makes us stronger. This book has made me more spiritually aware of the power of one's self in the world, that we"re not alone. That there is someone else who has suffered the trouble you"re going through. Reading an optimistic tale gives hope to me, like "this is not the end", but rather just a stop sign on the way. There were way too many stories in this book that held great meaning and inquisitive knowledge but three especially felt close to me.
First is, Dear Child - A Sister's Message by Danette Julene Gomes. This short letter is all you need to survive your teenage life. In short, be confident, don't ever step down for something you believe in. Treasure yourself for who you are, don't ever put yourself down. No matter what people say or how they react to your actions, be proud of yourself. Never once doubt your power, you have everything you need, your soul and your body. True friends don't backstab you or tell you to stop hanging out with "certain" people. Sometimes the road of lonliness is the way to find who you really are. Be true to yourself. There are going to be bumps on your road, but you can get over it. Never dwell on something wrong, fix it! I was in great despair when I read this story! It helped a lot, with the oh so troublesome middle school years.
My second favorite story is Kissing the Bully by Lia Gay. Now Lia was not exactly "a woman" yet. She hadn't well, let's just say she hadn't blossomed yet. She was chased by a bully, Ben, every day. Having spitballs in her hair isn't really fun, she said. Every single day since seventh grade she was tormented, at home and at school. Most of the time it was for her "wall" or her flat chest. But during the summer between eighth grade and her freshman year she had finally "become a real woman". Every night she would have fantasies of those jerks (Ben's friends) asking her out on a date in public and her rejecting him coldly, so that they would feel the pain she felt.
