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The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times
Jamel loses his friends to marijuana; Artiqua dates a boy of another race despite her family’s opposition. Youniqiue was abandoned by her mother; Charlene is raising her brothers and sisters because their mother is addicted to drugs; Craig is gay and worried about coming out. All of these teens have more than their share of troubles. And all have the resiliency needed to face them, live through them, and move forward with courage, confidence, and hope. In 30 first-person accounts, teens tell how they overcame major life obstacles. Many aren’t the everyday problems most kids encounter, which makes their stories especially compelling—and their successes especially inspiring. As teens read The Struggle to Be Strong , they discover they’re not alone in facing life’s difficulties. They learn about seven resiliencies—insight, independence, relationships, initiative, creativity, humor, and morality—that everyone needs to survive and thrive in even the toughest times. Vivid, articulate, and candid, this book will motivate readers of all ages to build the skills and strengths they need to triumph over adversity.
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
8 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 28, 2017
Home is where the hurt is, is a short story in The Struggle to be Strong
by Teens, A girl is being hurt by her parents and finds out
it's wrong and tries to help kids like her in the world .
I like that the girl stands up to her parents in the end.
I would review many time this book.because it’s a very intresting story full of twists and plot lines that will leave you stuned you can really feel the emotion in the main characters as she talks. I would definitely give this story a 3 stars.
by Teens, A girl is being hurt by her parents and finds out
it's wrong and tries to help kids like her in the world .
I like that the girl stands up to her parents in the end.
I would review many time this book.because it’s a very intresting story full of twists and plot lines that will leave you stuned you can really feel the emotion in the main characters as she talks. I would definitely give this story a 3 stars.
February 26, 2021
the prose story "The Struggle to Be Strong"by:al Desetta
this is a book with a entire prose story tells you how you lots of true story happened to different people and every article can impressed you . And what kind of skill you can have for getting better. it dived this book into lots of small basic unit and every unit has several articles to "teaching"you there's many different ways which had divided that you can gots better and this book had really impressed of me.
this is a book with a entire prose story tells you how you lots of true story happened to different people and every article can impressed you . And what kind of skill you can have for getting better. it dived this book into lots of small basic unit and every unit has several articles to "teaching"you there's many different ways which had divided that you can gots better and this book had really impressed of me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2023
A Series of Short Stories by 30 Teens who have lived a troubled life. These Stories show what they have gone through, how they overcame their problems, and what they are achieving and doing now.
I am sure after reading these you would be able to relate to some of it or know someone that have been through similar circumstances.
Some of these stories were truly inspiring.
I am sure after reading these you would be able to relate to some of it or know someone that have been through similar circumstances.
Some of these stories were truly inspiring.
December 12, 2018
The stories in the book were very memorable and can relate to.
November 23, 2015
Have you ever heard thirty different inspirational stories about teenagers in one book? If not, you need to get reading the book The Struggle to be Strong edited by Al Desetta, M.A., of Youth Communication Sybil Wolin, Ph.D, of Projects Resilience. The thirty different kids who had tragic stories they wrote, you’ll never forget. Some of the stories you will be able to relate to, others would be your biggest nightmares. But every word, sentence, and paragraph is true. Even though each kid struggled in different ways they all learned a lesson and how they won't let their kids grow up the way they did.
Throughout the book some of the stories will stick to your head days after days. Now why might these stories stick to your head? This may be because you never knew that this type of stuff existed… but it does. Jamel loses his friends to marijuana, a girl named Younique was abandoned by her mother at a young age, Charlene is raising her brothers and sisters because her mom is a drug addict and is never home, Craig is a gay and is having a hard time coming out, and Artiqua is dating a guy of another race even though her family doesn't accept it. Each of these kids from the book, all had to face what they were going through. They moved forward from the situations going on in their lives, they decide the way they wanted to live. In the end of each story you will be able to read what each of the kids learned from their experience. They explain what they would do if they were ever in that position again. It is very inspirational and makes you look at life a little clearer.
Anyone who wants to know what goes on in other families, rather than your own should read the book The Struggle to be Strong. This novel is a great quick read especially if you don't have a lot of time to read a bunch of pages at once. You can start a story on page 50, and it will end on page 62. These small stories will keep you wanting to read more. The book overall is a good interesting inspirational book that fits most people's liking.
Throughout the book some of the stories will stick to your head days after days. Now why might these stories stick to your head? This may be because you never knew that this type of stuff existed… but it does. Jamel loses his friends to marijuana, a girl named Younique was abandoned by her mother at a young age, Charlene is raising her brothers and sisters because her mom is a drug addict and is never home, Craig is a gay and is having a hard time coming out, and Artiqua is dating a guy of another race even though her family doesn't accept it. Each of these kids from the book, all had to face what they were going through. They moved forward from the situations going on in their lives, they decide the way they wanted to live. In the end of each story you will be able to read what each of the kids learned from their experience. They explain what they would do if they were ever in that position again. It is very inspirational and makes you look at life a little clearer.
Anyone who wants to know what goes on in other families, rather than your own should read the book The Struggle to be Strong. This novel is a great quick read especially if you don't have a lot of time to read a bunch of pages at once. You can start a story on page 50, and it will end on page 62. These small stories will keep you wanting to read more. The book overall is a good interesting inspirational book that fits most people's liking.
October 17, 2012
My Father: I Want to be Everything He’s Not by Troy Shawn Welcome
This story is about a boy who is struggling in his life because his father is not in his life, and he is furious that his father is in and out of his life and he soon realizes that being sad and upset all the time because of someone that doesn’t seem to care is not worth your time.
What I liked about this personal narrative is, that I can connect to the author (Troy) because my father is also in and out of my life and I would be sad all the time and I would try to impress him so he can appreciate and know that he had a good daughter but it never seem to work so I did what Troy did I called him and told him everything I felt and now I feel satisfied and proud of myself because I’m no longer being that little girl that still believes everything her dad says or promises.
I would recommend this story because it is a very common situation where teens are struggling in their childhood because one of their parents don’t bother to be in their lives.
If I were to rate this story I would give it a 4.5 because I feel like it could’ve been more intense so it can really soak the other in by maybe putting Troy’s mom to the story so she can say what she felt and maybe more of a dramatic scene of how the author felt when his father was making him feel bad.
This story is about a boy who is struggling in his life because his father is not in his life, and he is furious that his father is in and out of his life and he soon realizes that being sad and upset all the time because of someone that doesn’t seem to care is not worth your time.
What I liked about this personal narrative is, that I can connect to the author (Troy) because my father is also in and out of my life and I would be sad all the time and I would try to impress him so he can appreciate and know that he had a good daughter but it never seem to work so I did what Troy did I called him and told him everything I felt and now I feel satisfied and proud of myself because I’m no longer being that little girl that still believes everything her dad says or promises.
I would recommend this story because it is a very common situation where teens are struggling in their childhood because one of their parents don’t bother to be in their lives.
If I were to rate this story I would give it a 4.5 because I feel like it could’ve been more intense so it can really soak the other in by maybe putting Troy’s mom to the story so she can say what she felt and maybe more of a dramatic scene of how the author felt when his father was making him feel bad.
October 17, 2012
“Home is where the hurt is” by Anonymous is about a young girl who goes through child abuse. I liked the whole story even the details of her abuse ,it made me want to finish the book faster. Because child abuse is a world wide issue ,I love the way it was told in an amazing story such as this one . If I hade to choose I believe the best part for me was when she said no. Pushing her mother away was her way of saying no to the abuse and to the pain. It was a way to stick up for her self .Though it did tick me off that she couldn’t find the courage in her self sooner ,I still liked it . For the people who haven’t read this book I ,d recommend it to you . Because not only is this book about abuse its about a girl who stands up for her self and maybe even others. A lot of people could be going through this so it’s a positive way to tell people that abuse is not normal and that there is away out if you are trapped .Sadly because this story did not have a really good resolution (because I really did want to read about her life after the abuse), I have to give it a 2 1\2 stars.
October 12, 2012
“My Father: I want to be everything he’s not” Author: Troy Shawn Welcome
The main idea of the story is about Troy and the relationship he and his dad have. Their relationship is unbalanced and they can’t see eye to eye. What I like about the story is that most of the time his dad saw him on the weekend, took him out shopping, and spent time together. What I dislike is that after his dad got married to Fay their relationship started to drift away and fall apart. I would recommend this book because it a very good book to read and also some kids could make a self-to-text connection while reading it. I give this book five stars.
The main idea of the story is about Troy and the relationship he and his dad have. Their relationship is unbalanced and they can’t see eye to eye. What I like about the story is that most of the time his dad saw him on the weekend, took him out shopping, and spent time together. What I dislike is that after his dad got married to Fay their relationship started to drift away and fall apart. I would recommend this book because it a very good book to read and also some kids could make a self-to-text connection while reading it. I give this book five stars.
October 17, 2012
The title is “Home is Where the Hurt” and the author is Anonymous. The main idea is the girl was living with her grandpa and she moved to madras with her mom and dad, then her parents would beat her for no reason throughout the girl life. I liked how the girl stood up to the woman on the street, when she was beating her son on the streets just because he drank all the milk. I disliked when the girl went to school with a burn mark on her face, and the teacher didn’t even do anything. She would just say “Your poor mother”. I would recommend it because it talking about child abuse and how the girl get beating for no reason. I would give it a 3 star.
April 19, 2009
THE STRUGGLES TO BE STRONG IS A VERY GOOD BOOK BUT IS ALSO VERY EMOTINAL IN DIFFERENT STORYS YOU LEARN DIFFERENT LESSONS LIKE IN ONE STORY I LEARNED THAT IF YOU DONT LIKE SOME BODY AND YOU DONT WANT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THAT THAT IS JUST GONNA MAKE IT BIGGER BECAUSE MORE CONSEQUENSES ARE GONNA HAPPEN.IN THAT PARTICULAR STORY IT WAS ABOUT A BOY AND HIS MOM THAT HAD PROBLEM BUT BY THE END OF THE STORY THEY SOLVED IT.
ONE THING I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THAT IS TEENAGE LIFE LESSON.
ONE THING I HATED ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THAT SOME STORYS ARE TOO STRONG BUT YOU HAVE TO COTINUE.
ONE THING I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THAT IS TEENAGE LIFE LESSON.
ONE THING I HATED ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THAT SOME STORYS ARE TOO STRONG BUT YOU HAVE TO COTINUE.
October 15, 2012
“Home is where the hurt is” is a short story in The Struggle to be Strong
by anonymous. A girl is being abused by her parents and finds out
it's wrong and tries to help kids like her all over the world. I like that
the girl stands up to her parents in the end. I would recommend this book
because it’s a very intresting and surprising story full of twists and plot
lines that will leave you stuned you can really feel the emotion in the main characters
voice as she talks. I would definitely give this story a 3 stars.
by anonymous. A girl is being abused by her parents and finds out
it's wrong and tries to help kids like her all over the world. I like that
the girl stands up to her parents in the end. I would recommend this book
because it’s a very intresting and surprising story full of twists and plot
lines that will leave you stuned you can really feel the emotion in the main characters
voice as she talks. I would definitely give this story a 3 stars.
October 15, 2012
I enjoyed reading “Home is Where the Hurt is“
by anonymous. Anonymous was being abused for any little thing What I dislike most about this story is how her parents Abused her and called her a bad child.I would Recommend this story because people should know about What she went through growing up as a child and try To stop abuse all over the world.I would give this story 5 stars because it catches the readers attention and it also tells people about abuse and how they can stop it from happening all over the world.
by anonymous. Anonymous was being abused for any little thing What I dislike most about this story is how her parents Abused her and called her a bad child.I would Recommend this story because people should know about What she went through growing up as a child and try To stop abuse all over the world.I would give this story 5 stars because it catches the readers attention and it also tells people about abuse and how they can stop it from happening all over the world.
October 17, 2012
The title of the book is “ Home is Where the Hurt is “ by an Anonymous author. Her parents abused anonymous girl all her life when she was in India. But it was normal for kids to get abused by there parents because that was how they disciple there kids. When she moved to America she realized that tat’s not the way to treat your child. One thing I don’t like is her parents abused her for every little thing she did .I would recommend this book to kids that get abused to learn how to speak up for them selves. I give this book 3 stars.
October 19, 2012
“Home is Where the Hurt is” is a nonfiction piece; the author is anonymous since the author is unknown. The narrative reflects on a girl being abused by her parents from all her actions. So she started to rebel and decided to make this story to help other kids being abused by their parents. I like the story since in a way it helps other people going through her situation to know they’re not the only one in pain. I recommend it because of the side drama and life experiences involved. I’d give it 4 stars in rating for totally detailing everything about her from the past to the present.
January 17, 2013
The title is better than the actual book; I guess it didn't turn out to be what I expected, but it does have its strengths. The book is a collection of essays written by teens--many who are in foster care. The writing, though not amazing or particularly inspiring, is sincere revealing how these kids think about a variety of issues.
I was hoping it would be of help to my adoptive son, but it isn't the right book for him right now. On the other hand, for a teacher, it does offer great examples of personal narratives that have meaning attached to them.
I was hoping it would be of help to my adoptive son, but it isn't the right book for him right now. On the other hand, for a teacher, it does offer great examples of personal narratives that have meaning attached to them.
April 10, 2013
This collection of true stories by teens coming through foster care speaks to common issues we all face. Told as first person narratives, they offer hope of resiliency (the collection's theme) as each of us must face our own struggles in order to grow strong.
Sure, the voices are full of teen speak, but the theme rings loud and clear. I found myself sitting back in wonder at the struggles that I've never dealt with but others have which helped them emerge stronger!
I would recommend this book to teens or anyone involved with the foster care system.
Sure, the voices are full of teen speak, but the theme rings loud and clear. I found myself sitting back in wonder at the struggles that I've never dealt with but others have which helped them emerge stronger!
I would recommend this book to teens or anyone involved with the foster care system.
April 9, 2009
3-5 stars. I really enjoyed reading this book and i recommended to people that like reading about problems in life not only abusive problems but about kids that are being teased or people that or homless.One thing i like about this book is that the characters believe in them selfs and they know their lifes are going to get much better maybe not today or tomorrow or even the next day but they know there's always a way out.You could find this book in some of the librarys at school.
October 12, 2012
“My Father: I want to be everything he’s not” is about a young boy whose father doesn't really want to be in his life. His father got married and he told him a day before. He don’t even come see his son’s no more. I dislike when his father told him he was getting married a day before the wedding. If that happened to me I would be hurt. I would recommend this story to young males, so they won’t follow Troyshawn's father.
October 12, 2012
“Home is where the hurt is”
The Main Idea is that a girl is being abused by her parents. What I like was that she wants to help kids in the same situation as her. The narrator was being abused by her parents, and she doesn’t want anyone in the same place she was in for the past 17 years of her life. I would recommend it because it also shows that someone is out there hurting worst than you. I would give this book 4 stars.
The Main Idea is that a girl is being abused by her parents. What I like was that she wants to help kids in the same situation as her. The narrator was being abused by her parents, and she doesn’t want anyone in the same place she was in for the past 17 years of her life. I would recommend it because it also shows that someone is out there hurting worst than you. I would give this book 4 stars.
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October 15, 2012Ruth, Tyeshawn
“Home is were the hurt is “
The main character didn’t want to live with her parents. I dislike that the parents are always abusing their daughter. I would recommend the book because the narrator is talking about her life. She didn’t want to leave her grandparents’ house to go live with her parents. I would give this story five stars because this story helps other young women deal with abuse from parents.
“Home is were the hurt is “
The main character didn’t want to live with her parents. I dislike that the parents are always abusing their daughter. I would recommend the book because the narrator is talking about her life. She didn’t want to leave her grandparents’ house to go live with her parents. I would give this story five stars because this story helps other young women deal with abuse from parents.
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November 18, 2009It is so far so good and that the teens in each story are very interesting. Some of them have problems that they can resolve and some of them have problems that are hard to resolve. It is very touching stories.
So far the book is so good the stories are very touching and i am learning a lot from the teenagers advice to the reader.
So far the book is so good the stories are very touching and i am learning a lot from the teenagers advice to the reader.
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October 11, 2012Author-Anonymous
The main idea of home is where the hurt is about he/her parents were abusing him. I don’t recommend this for anybody because for example when she came home late her mother will hit her a lot of time in her face. Its also a sad memoir, I will give this 5 stars because its interesting but sad and a true story.
The main idea of home is where the hurt is about he/her parents were abusing him. I don’t recommend this for anybody because for example when she came home late her mother will hit her a lot of time in her face. Its also a sad memoir, I will give this 5 stars because its interesting but sad and a true story.
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October 12, 2012Author-Anonymous
The main idea of home is where the hurt is about he/her parents were abusing him. I don’t recommend this for anybody because for example when she came home late her mother will hit her a lot of time in her face. Its also a sad memoir, I will give this 5 stars because its interesting but sad and a true story.
The main idea of home is where the hurt is about he/her parents were abusing him. I don’t recommend this for anybody because for example when she came home late her mother will hit her a lot of time in her face. Its also a sad memoir, I will give this 5 stars because its interesting but sad and a true story.
January 19, 2012
this is actually a mentor text for my IWP. i find it very useful because the stories are in first person and that's what I'm going to write for my IWP. i find the stories short, but very descriptive and meaningful.
July 11, 2015
I thought this book was going to be a lot more engaging than it was. The stories in this book were short and lacking detail, and I really wasn't all that interested in them. Like the juvenile cases book, the stories became quickly repetitive and rather boring. Not very good.
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October 15, 2012Braves teenagers overcoming all difficult odds the teens get respect in my book
September 10, 2016
Very great lessons for kids in there early teen years...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2009
It teaches you about some teenage lifes and what they go through.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews