Pressure: True Stories by Teens About Stress

by Youth Communication, Al Desetta (Editor)

Stress hits these teens from all 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.

165 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Payton Factor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author, Al Desetta, from Youth Communication, wrote the book, “Pressure” which was published in 2012 by the company Free Spirit. The book was published in Minneapolis, and was targeted towards a young adult audience. Desetta wanted teenagers to read his book to learn about the effects on mental health. This book helps expands the mindsets of people and teaches them how to overcome everyday struggles. Desetta contacts teens around the world to hear their experience with the topic he’s writing about. The book was very straightforward to read and cut out the insignificant details. This made it easier for the reader to continue because he or she wouldn't get confused or distracted. One positive of his books is that the factual evidence that is supported by the company Youth Communication. This is a company in New York with very good ratings and known for helping battling teens with their mental health. The book “Pressure”, edited by Al Desseta can help you relax with your own stress and help you relate to other people's situation, to realize you’re not alone.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

From what I've seen, many reviews say that the stories that the teens have written inside this book are not really accurate for other teenagers to relate to;I disagree.Pressure is a book that displays real life struggles of teenagers and their ways they dealt with the pressure that they encountered.I myself have learned a few ways that can help myself with pressure if it ever got in the position as bad as these teens faced.
The stories of these teens make you have such empathy for them it really hurts sometimes to keep reading.However in my opinion some of these teenagers who told their story just seemed they were looking for attention more then trying to help other teenagers who would have a similar situation as theirs.Also they didn't seem to be teaching a lesson on how the teenagers reading the book could deal pressure.I definitely have a few stories I wish I could rip out of the book and others where it really made me feel as if I were in their position.
Overall I liked "Pressure" and it in a way reminds me of "Freedom Writers". However these teenagers only had themselves and whatever it was that helped them deal with pressure.It could have either been a journal/diary,books,exercise,or even yoga(it was one relieve stress activity a teen used in the book). I definitely recommend this book to every teen because it gives us a reality check on the real world we live in.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright, I suppose, but some parts were pretty cheesy, just language-wise. I'm not totally sure that actual teens would relate.