First published 2010
Students at Durham School of the Arts put their lives on paper for a class assignment. These ninth graders write about discovering the transformative power of creative expression, surviving family abuse, questioning and finding faith, and forming deep friendships during their formative years. Under teacher Alexa Garvoille's guidance, student editor Kaitlin Medlin helped shape these raw, personal accounts into a collection that reveals the complex inner worlds of teenagers. The memoirs challenge readers to see past surface impressions of young people and recognize the depth of their experiences. Each story captures a different aspect of growing up, from moments of artistic breakthrough to painful family struggles to spiritual awakenings.
Genres: family-life, coming-of-age, adolescence, memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, personal-growth
Setting: Durham School of the Arts
Period: Formative Years
356 pages · Paperback · Lulu.com
Content warnings: abuse