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We Are Absolutely Not Okay: Fourteen Stories By Teenagers Who Are Picking Up the Pieces
Imagine being asked to pull a gun on a stranger. Or having a gun shoved in your face by the man you call stepdad. Envision feeling so depressed you cut yourself repeatedly or down a bottle of pills to make the pain go away. Consider what it takes to tell your parents that you are transgender, or what it feels like to have the dad you love addicted to meth.We Are Absolutely Not Okay is a collection of true stories written by fourteen teenagers who have experienced life at its darkest but have made it through and are now picking up the pieces. By writing and sharing their stories, they are coping with their past and seizing their future. They are also reaching out to other teenagers—to let them know that they are not alone and that even if their life now is Absolutely Not Okay, they have the power within themselves to make it better.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2012
10 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 4, 2012
An amazing story of real stories, real people who have made it through what life has to throw at them.
May 7, 2020
I am one of the students who wrote in this book. I want to say that all of my classmates are amazing and glad to have had this experience with them. I wrote about my dad's meth use and I'm glad I did because at the time, it was accurate, but I also want people to know that he gave it up a couple years after that story was written and I am very happy he stopped using. He has since passed away and I can't read this book anymore because even though it was the truth, it hurts even more now that he's gone and I'm sorry if he felt like I put him out there to look like a p.o.s. My intention with the story was to let people know that they're not the only ones who have it bad, we all have our own forms of it and I'm happy to have not grown up the greatest, because I am who I am now and it's good.
July 12, 2012
These kids have courage and the skills to wrap you up and throw you to the end.
June 30, 2017
These kids stories were so hard to read. Just very sad.
January 24, 2020
I don't think anybody will ever say being a teenager is easy, but I somehow believe that it is harder today than ever. These are 14 brutally honest essays of 14 young people who have been to hell and back as well as had the courage to share with us. I only wish I knew how these kids were doing today because they are grown now as this was published in 2012. If you are a teenager or around teenagers, then you need to read this book.
July 10, 2012
Some books have so little story that they spend pages on minutiae about the landscape, or they smother you with pretty prose. THIS BOOK DOES NOT PULL THOSE TRICKS. This book will break your heart with real stories by real kids in an alternative high school in Seattle. Want to know what it's like to pull a gun on a woman getting out of a luxury car? Ever been a pawn to parents, adults or peers who want something from you -- a body, a punching bag, a witness to cruelty? With titles like, "The Day My World Stopped," "Be(lie)ve," and "Suicide Mission," you know these are 14 eye-blinking fast stories that will leave you gasping. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2012
This book was stunning! Fourteen true short stories written by kids that really show what they went through. What really brings it home to me is the fact that they all attend a high school not that far from where I live. Imagine having to rob a woman at gun point to be able to fit in. Or having your mother desert you because of a video game. Or feeling so worthless that cutting is the only thing that relieves the pain.
What I find amazing is the epilogue to each story which shows that these teens have risen above their circumstances and where they are heading from here. What a shining beacon of hope for all of us.
What I find amazing is the epilogue to each story which shows that these teens have risen above their circumstances and where they are heading from here. What a shining beacon of hope for all of us.
July 13, 2012
The courage it took for these kids to tell their stories and overcome the circumstances of their lives is to be commended. Their writing abilities are fantastic and the Scribner Lake High School should be given props for setting their students on a path for success.
EXCELLENT READ! I would recommend it for anyone, but especially the young adults of the world to remind them where they could be and give them encouragement for where they want to be.
EXCELLENT READ! I would recommend it for anyone, but especially the young adults of the world to remind them where they could be and give them encouragement for where they want to be.
July 7, 2015
Being a high school English teacher, I'm a bit biased since this book was a project find by a class. I thought it was well-written and give kudos to the teens that told their stories. the stories are just a reminder to what our students are going through that we probably don't even know about. and a child that is acting out in class is still just a child who needs love and someone that cares about him/her.
October 15, 2012
It feels strange to give a likeability rating to a book such as this, but I (obviously) give the rating for the 180 all the characters made in their lives. To come from such aweful experiences and find that they are more important that the things that happened to them is inspiring.
All young people, not those just troubled, should read this book. My oldest daughter is only 10 but this will be on her reading list soon.
All young people, not those just troubled, should read this book. My oldest daughter is only 10 but this will be on her reading list soon.
January 16, 2013
I picked this up as a freebie download from Amazon. A collection of short essays by kids at an alternative school, this book is a raw, honest look at children surviving the worst of home life circumstances and coming out of things with a guarded but hopeful outcome.
This book would likely be terrific for an advanced high school.class curriculum (be mindful of strong language and violent situations).
This book would likely be terrific for an advanced high school.class curriculum (be mindful of strong language and violent situations).
February 11, 2023
I unfortunately know what some of these kids are going through and it is sad. But I am happy that they all seemed to rise above their circumstances and have or are doing better for themselves. Kids don't deserve to go through those things. I hope whoever reads these stories and unfortunately understands all too well what some of them are going through, knows that things can get better and you are better than the life that you grew up in.
November 25, 2012
This book is not to be taken lightly. These 14 amazing teens had to battle some of the toughest obstacles at such a young age and they survived it. It takes a very strong individual to overcome things mentioned in this book. I truly relate to several of these stories. Its wonderful to know these teens got a second chance because a lot don't. Definitely give this book a read.
May 15, 2013
Having had my own emotional struggles, I can certainly empathize with the teenagers depicted in this book. Some of them I can relate to more than others, but a few of them made me want to burst into tears because I have no idea how some people can be so cruel to others simply because they are different. I hope that this can be a helping hand to someone who is going through something similar.
January 18, 2013
Marjie Bowker is a good friend of mine and her dedication to her students and this profession is inspirational. She is a super teacher and it shows in the expression of these kids' voices. Kids who remind me why I teach.
March 17, 2016
Short read, but how these kids delved into their lives to share their stories is breathtaking and heartbreaking at the same time. Some can only imagine what these teens have witnessed and then overcome despite the hand they are dealt. Strongly recommend to anyone with teenagers!
July 22, 2012
Touching book written by 14 courageous students attending an alternative high school. The writing is genuine and raw. Every writing teacher should read it.
October 10, 2012
Courage, strength and overcoming tremendous obstacles--these stories scream fr your attention. Give them a look, beautifully done. Bravo on this awesome indie collaboration!
February 11, 2017
A very heart-rending read. And at the same time it's full of courage. I wish the same teenagers would get together in ten years and write a sequel.
September 11, 2013
Sad.. but excellent.
November 8, 2012
Yes they are short stories, but so worth to read!!!
October 11, 2013
many subjects in this book resonated with me. I wish there were more schools or even people paying attention to help kids in trouble.
December 29, 2013
This was very boring for me. This book would be great for bullied teens or parents of bullied teens to read, but as I am not either of those, this book was not for me.
November 21, 2012
Inspirational!
February 29, 2016
Eh...this book had potential, but the stories just didn't flow.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews