In My Shoes - Teen Reflections on Hope & The Future (Paperback)

What happens when adults ask teenagers what is going on in their lives and then really listen to the answers? Once the teens trust that the adults are sincere and accepting, this book is what can happen. Written by two classes of seniors at Omaha South High Magnet School with the support of 29 volunteer writing mentors, this collection of personal essays reveals some of the issues American teens face every day but often keep to themselves. These insightful students share experiences of survival, the reasons for their dreams and their secret hopes for their lives. This book was produced by The Omaha Young Writers Project using the philosophies of the Freedom Writers and 826 Valencia as inspiration and guidance. Includes a foreword by Erin Gruwell, teacher of the Freedom Writers, an afterword from the classroom teacher 's perspective and an epilogue by Gallup Senior Scientist in Residence Shane J. Lopez on how we can all spread hope to kids and our communities.