Teen Ink, Our Voices, Our Visions: Today's Teenagers Sharing Thoughts On: Friends, Family, Fitting In, Challenges, Loss, Memories, Love, Heroes
Gr 9 Up-In 1989, the Young Authors Foundation began publishing teenagers' work in The 21st Century, now called TeenInk magazine. The foundation continues to provide a forum for adolescent voices and visions. According to the editors, this book "represents some of the best stories, poems, essays and artwork we've published over the last decade." The pieces are divided into categories such as friends, love, family, etc. Unfortunately, the articles disproportionately focus on death, loss, and disappointment. Although the voices here are honest, they are also disheartened. The writing is definitely at a teenage level with little sophistication in style or vocabulary. Poor grammar and cohesion mar some entries. Labeling these as the "best" raises expectations that there should be outstanding material here when much of it is uninspiring and resigned. Black-and-white photos and artwork by teens illustrate the book.-Joanne K. Cecere, Highland High School, NYCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.