You Got This!: Unleash Your Awesomeness, Find Your Path, and Change Your World

by Maya Penn

Everyone is talking about the entrepreneur, animator, eco-designer, and girls’ rights activist Maya Penn. Her TEDWomen Talk has been viewed over 1,200,000 million times (and is one of the top 15 TEDWomen Talks of all time). Now this amazing teenager has written an inspirational handbook for teens and young adults to help them discover their passions and maximize their full potential for a creative, successful life.

Maya Penn is a remarkable teen entrepreneur who has given three TED Talks, created her own eco-friendly fashion line, developed animated films, and appeared on The View with Whoopi Goldberg. She has even been name-checked by bestselling authors Gabrielle Bernstein, Steve Harvey, and Eve Ensler. All while still in middle school!

Although Maya is extraordinary in many ways, and her success is a testament to her own creativity, passion, and fearlessness—these are traits that can be cultivated in all of us.

In You Got This! Maya shares her incredible journey to becoming an artist, designer, philanthropist, and business owner. She provides a creative blueprint for teens and young adults, along with the tools she used to build an authentic, exciting, and connected life, and offers creative prompts for cultivating success. So let your creativity and passion flow freely and watch as your world transforms—it all starts with you!

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Middle Grade, Self Help

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 2016

Reviews

[Kelly]

Brené Brown wisdom for the middle grade set. For real. Penn's voice is enthusiastic, encouraging, and always realistic -- she talks about why pursuing your dreams is important while being level-headed about the challenges and mental blocks that emerge when you do just that. It's definitely her voice in the book, and she's the kind of voice that middle grade readers should have.

[Katiera]

I am at the end of my journey of the book You Got This! By:Maya S. Penn. As this is a non-fiction book about her and her journey in her early youth, she is the main character. In this book she explains how you can improve yourself and others in the process. Penn uses the word "awesomeness" to describe both herself and the reader. Something that I like about this book is that it encouraged me to want to be better without trying to make me feel worse first. I dislike this book because it is non-fiction and I don't particularly care for that genre. I recommend this book because people can actually learn that even because of your skin complexion or race you can still accomplish your goals.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book via a Goodreads Giveaway Drawing.

I was marveled by this book. There were so many insights that it was hard to believe this book is written by a very smart, smooth, and gracious young Lady.

If you do not feel inspired as you read, and after you read this book, I will be dumbfounded?

I highly recommend you read this book, your partner, your kids, your friend, and more, should read this book.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I loved the way it was written with the little side notes and finding out what type of person you are. It really helped be know that I can do whatever I put my mind too. I feel like this really helped me know what I want to do with my life and how to get there. I really recommend this book to anyone who needs a little boost to get them through the year and help them find what there ultimate goal in life is.

[Makayla Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reason I give it a 4 star because i was getting tired of saying you got this but I Love this book i would read it again i think you should read this because If you and a friend is not getting along you need a book like this because it’s telling you you got this don’t worry about him or her

[Imagin · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book❤ It has great advice and its was nice to read about her path to success. It was refreshing to read about a young person being a entrepreneur, philanthropist etc. It made me feel like "if she can do it I can to". Ugh! I just really loved this book.

[Leslie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to give to a daughter, niece, or friend

[Gianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book! 10/10

[Kora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keine Idee ist zu klein, um groß zu sein

Seit jüngsten Kindertagen begeistert sich Maya S. Penn für Animation, handgemachte Mode und Umweltschutz. Nicht gerade typisch für ein Mädchen im Vorschulalter, aber für Maya ist ihr etwas spezielles Interesse der Schlüssel, der sie mit acht Jahren ihr eigenes Unternehmen gründen lässt. Das ist nun alles andere als gewöhnlich für ein Kind in diesem Alter. Doch Maya ist beseelt von dem Wunsch und Willen, möglichst viele Menschen davon zu begeistern und zu überzeugen, dass jeder von uns seinen ganz eigenen Teil dazu beitragen kann, unsere Welt durch eine ganzheitliche Nachhaltigkeit in beachtlichem Maße zu erhalten. Mit ihrem rastlosen Engagement für soziale und ökologische Belange gehört Maya, die inzwischen auch eine Non-Profit-Organisation, Maya's Ideas 4 The Planet, gegründet hat, zweifellos zu einem Vorbild und Motivator für ganze Generationen.

In "You Got This! Unleash your awesomeness, find your path and change your world" teilt Maya S. Penn ihren unbändigen Enthusiasmus für die Umsetzung von kleinen und großen Ideen. Das Resultat ist ein allseitig sympathisches "Handbuch", das all seine (jungen) Leser bestärkt, ihren eigenen Geistesblitzen und Intuitionen zu vertrauen.

Wohin des (Lebens-) Weges? Worin könnte meine kreative Bestimmung liegen? Wie trage ich meine Idee am besten in die Welt hinaus? Kann es mir wirklich gelingen, tatsächlich etwas Größeres zu bewegen? All diese und zahlreiche weitere Fragen, die vermutlich jeder von uns kennt, beantwortet Maya S. Penn in ihrem Buch auf eine Weise, deren Strahlkraft absorbiert. Denn die Philanthropin weiß, wovon sie spricht. Mit einer Mischung aus jugendlichem Charme, ausgereifter Kompetenz und eloquentem Schneid entzündet die Autorin ein echtes Leuchtfeuer mit Signalwirkung.

Was neben den großen Leistungen der jungen Autorin an diesem Buch besonders beeindruckt, ist die wahrrhaftig nahbare, inspirative und quirlige Persönlichkeit Maya S. Penns. Auf dem Weg, während des Lesens die eigenen Möglichkeiten und Stärken zu entdecken, fühlt es sich an, als wäre Maya selbst stets als "friend-tor" (Freund und Mentor) präsent.

Gewissermaßen ist das Buch natürlich vor allem von einem Teenager für andere Kinder und Jugendliche geschriebenen worden. Was allerdings keinesfalls davon abhalten sollte, sich auch im Alter von 20+ von diesem Werk inspirieren zu lassen.

Eine rundum inhaltsvolle und ermutigende Lektüre, deren Funke direkt überspringt und die beweist, dass jede noch so kleine Ideenschmiede Bedeutsames leisten kann.

[Nezile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gaining the ability to do your passion.

[Misty Farias · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book for review purposes. This is a great book for young ladies about finding your purpose and making a difference in the world. Very entertaining and wise young author!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya Penn is a sixteen year old who has started her own company, given 3 TED talks, and created her own non-profit. In her book, she shares how to discover your passions and how to act on those passions.

This book is inspirational, encouraging, and motivating. I think all preteens and teens (and even some adults!) could benefit from some of the ideas Maya puts forth in her book. Maya stresses the importance of creativity and that creativity comes in many different ways and gives tips about everything from handling social media and fighting perfectionism to overcoming your fears and combating jealousy. It is evident that Maya embraces who she is, and that kind of message is one that many of my girls could use to see/hear again and again.

This book would pair nicely with schools that are using genius hours, passion projects, etc. since it talks about finding your passion and turning that passion into action.

I also love Maya's section about changing your world and her nonprofit she started to address the problem of young girls in developing countries who miss school every month because of a lack of access to sanitary pads. I've had my own idea for a non-profit or project floating around in my head off and on, and seeing what she has done is a little extra encouragement for me to put that into action one day.

This is a book that I will definitely share with my own daughter when she is older.

Now to decide where to categorize this book. It falls under Personal Success in Business, but I'm thinking that it won't get a lot of looks there. Perhaps Biography would be a better fit in our library.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curious, enthusiastic and genuine are words that immediately come to mind when I think about Maya Penn. At eight years old, she started her own company by selling headbands that she created. She's also really interested in animation, so she taught herself how to create her own films. In this inspirational self-help book, she shares about her own experiences to encourage other teens to develop their own passions and create plans to change the world.

Tweens and teens enjoy Maya's upbeat, casual tone as she starts by talking about her process. She encourages readers to use a dream board to brainstorm ideas and identify what creates sparks they might use to ignite their plans. I especially liked the way she helps kids understand different thinking styles and ways to keep yourself motivated.

The length and detail make this best suited for middle and high schoolers, although several fifth graders were drawn to it. I'd love to see some more of Maya's terrific ideas illustrated for the tween audience--much like an American Girl book. Hand this to creative teens and see what dreams they build, or recommend it to families as a great audiobook for summer listening.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a charming book! The advice that she gives is for the most part standard self-help to follow your dreams kind of fare, which is natural since there are only so many things that actually work. However, the author is so enthusiastic and genuine that it comes across as hopeful rather than hackneyed. I certainly enjoyed reading it more than I have most other career advice books I've read recently. While the book is clearly targeted at the young-adult crowd, I know people twice the author's age who would benefit from its message.

*According to FTC regulations I disclose that I received this book as part of the Goodreads First-Reads program*

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding your passion can be challenging, but inspirational teen, Maya Penn, steps in with tons of practical advice on how to do just that. An entrepreneur, role-model and philanthropist before she was 15, her upbeat, never pushy, tips, techniques and examples help nascent visionaries create the world they want to see.

[Ruth]

So glad I won this book from Goodreads. And happy it arrived in time for my granddaughter's 12th birthday. I skimmed thru it and I think it will be perfect for by granddaughter, the right book to getting her started on her teenage years.

[Isabel Kabara · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Not only was it a good book, it was inspirational. It had great advice for starting a business, getting where you want to get with your passions, and (best of all) it had hands on activities. I think anyone would like this book, not just kids and teens.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya Penn is wise beyond her years. The witty words, sound advice and straight-forward steps to achieving your dreams. This quick read refreshing and certainly needed in today's environment. Thank you Maya for moving bold moves to change the word. Well done Maya...Well done.

[Madeline Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, inspiring book by an awesome young African-American female teen entrepreneur. She started her first eco-friendly business at age 8 and penned (pun intended) her first book by age 15. I want to be like her when I grow up. :)

[Teri]

This book is fabulous! My daughter couldn't put it down. A definate positive & encouraging book!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read win. Thanks. Good book for women of all ages to read! Written for younger girls. Found her story very inspiring! Liked reading this book. Good advice.

[Becket · Rating 3 out of 5]

More vision-oriented than practical, this is nonetheless an upbeat, encouraging read for ambitious young people.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw this on display at the library. I am very impressed by this 15 year old entrepreneur! She's inspiring me to follow my own dreams and passions.

[Renee]

Only got through 80 pages of this. I have realized I'm not into self-help books, which this seemed to be. I guess I wanted to hear more about Maya's own story and not so much read text that is meant to inspire and help one reach their goals.