The Science of Books: Review♥Giveaway: Dear Teen Me

Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves. (Zest Books, October 30, 2012, $14.99; ISBN 978-1-9369762-1-8) edited by Miranda Kenneally and E. Kristin Anderson. Zest Books, a leading publisher of nonfiction for young adult readers, is distributed by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. It is available wherever books are sold!

Miranda Kenneally is the author of the contemporary YA novels Catching Jordan, Stealing Parker (just published), and Things I Can't Forget (Spring 2013). Miranda is also the co-editor, with E. Kristin Anderson, of Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves (Zest Books), and is co-creator of the Dear Teen Me website.

E. Kristin Anderson, in addition to co-editing Dear Teen Me and co-creating its eponymous website, is a writer and poet who has been published in dozens of literary journals. She is also an assistant editor at Hunger Mountain for their YA and Children's section.

Zest Books is an award-winning publisher of smart and edgy titles that focus on the colorful chaos of teen life. These nonfiction books cover timely topics in creative ways by incorporating solid life advice, practical how-to instruction, and humorous commentary. Zest Books’ catalogue includes 97 Things to Do Before You Finish High School, Where’s My Stuff: The Ultimate Teen Organizing Guide, and Scandalous! 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About So You Can Impress Your Friends. In Fall 2012, Zest Books launches a new line of memoirs and first-person accounts, and Dear Teen Me is the first book in this new line. Zest Books is distributed by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Learn more at www.zestbooks.net.

Review

First off I like to say how the idea of such a book is just fantastic. I would definitely recommend to all YA to read it, especially for those who like to read Chicken Soup books. It really remind people that authors are people. I know all these authors are all well-known and if you are a book lover like me, you kind of worship them on this high pedestal of epic awesomeness. But this book really made me brought these authors down to levels where I can connect with them. It made me realize that their lives were not perfect, and that they went through stuff too and many far more difficult than what I am going through. It really was an eye opener.

The book included all these issues teenagers face and I personally connected to all of them even though I didn't have personal experiences with most. It related to me and probably many others on many different levels. It is like even though you might not have experienced the exact same thing but you either knew someone who did or you personally went through something similar. What's more was that the book was not all "depressing". There were many parts that were hilarious and fun. It really reminded me how life is not always poopiness and dark thunderclouds, there are magic and rainbows everywhere too.

I am currently in the stages between being an adolescent and an adult. I really kind of get to see the spectrum of being able to relate to recent events in my life but also reflect back to my high school, YA life. I know that this book will help me and so many others in the future. So every time I might feel depressed, stressed, sad, or any negative emotions, I will just go to this book and see how these authors are all survivors in their own way and I will know that I will, and am a survivor. I really hope that in the not so distant future there will be more Dear Teen Me with even more authors. Dear Teen Me was strong, heart-breaking, and bold. A definite must read!