What do you think?
Rate this book
Teen Wisdom and Other Oxymorons
An anthology of real life stories and 27 surprising truths you will not learn in school. After over 1,000 volunteer hours, visits to all 50 states, and explorations behind the closed doors of many religions, seventeen-year–old Zoe Rose Harness has a lot of tales to tell; the best of these accounts are in Teen Wisdom and Other Oxymorons. Gallop through an abandoned house on a runaway horse, attend a polygamist church, or party with a parking lot full of Elvis impersonators at Graceland--these adventures and more await you when you travel through many cultures and around our country with Zoe on her all-American journey. As her senior project for National Charity League, Zoe is working to expand opportunities for teens at Operation Safehouse. Proceeds from Teen Wisdom and Other Oxymorons benefit Operation Safehouse to provide refuge for teens in crisis, and help many Safe House families find real life happier endings for their own stories.
152 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2013
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 18, 2013
I really enjoyed this book by Zoe Rose Harness. Although it is classified as a “young adult” book and the name immediately makes you think “teen book,” I recommend it for all ages.
It is an American journey … a look at the wide variety of cultures that America has to share … a story of family … a look at some of the perhaps less-traveled destinations of this country. I loved the account of PEOPLE and the unique qualities and values in each person Zoe met along the way. I embraced her openness and pureness of heart and found myself wondering how much better our world would be today if more of us could see the world like Zoe does.
I appreciated the reflection and local “facts” at the end of each chapter. Zoe’s reflective process helped to bring the chapter to a close and give us all something on which to ponder in our own thought processes. The photos from her journey as well as links for the reader to learn more were nice touches as well.
Truly, my only complaint is that I wanted more … it could have been twice as long and I wouldn’t have minded because it flowed very well; yet, due to the vignette approach, it was simple enough to read a chapter or two – put it down – come back for more later when you had a few minutes.
Some very nice surprises in the book:
First, it is well written and edited extremely well. I’ve read numerous books written by more experienced writers that long for a good editor. Zoe selected her editor well -- Jacob Meiser did an extremely good job! No typos, spellings, or poor grammar distractions and that made it easy to read.
Second, it isn’t until the Epilogue that we learn about Operation Safehouse [...“which provides a refuge for teens in crisis”] and that all profits from this book will be going to this organization. Brava!
Finally, through all her experiences and travels in her young life, Zoe is a very likeable author and person. She strikes me as someone who is very authentic, extremely humble, and with a passion for life. I look forward to reading more of her work and her life!
It is an American journey … a look at the wide variety of cultures that America has to share … a story of family … a look at some of the perhaps less-traveled destinations of this country. I loved the account of PEOPLE and the unique qualities and values in each person Zoe met along the way. I embraced her openness and pureness of heart and found myself wondering how much better our world would be today if more of us could see the world like Zoe does.
I appreciated the reflection and local “facts” at the end of each chapter. Zoe’s reflective process helped to bring the chapter to a close and give us all something on which to ponder in our own thought processes. The photos from her journey as well as links for the reader to learn more were nice touches as well.
Truly, my only complaint is that I wanted more … it could have been twice as long and I wouldn’t have minded because it flowed very well; yet, due to the vignette approach, it was simple enough to read a chapter or two – put it down – come back for more later when you had a few minutes.
Some very nice surprises in the book:
First, it is well written and edited extremely well. I’ve read numerous books written by more experienced writers that long for a good editor. Zoe selected her editor well -- Jacob Meiser did an extremely good job! No typos, spellings, or poor grammar distractions and that made it easy to read.
Second, it isn’t until the Epilogue that we learn about Operation Safehouse [...“which provides a refuge for teens in crisis”] and that all profits from this book will be going to this organization. Brava!
Finally, through all her experiences and travels in her young life, Zoe is a very likeable author and person. She strikes me as someone who is very authentic, extremely humble, and with a passion for life. I look forward to reading more of her work and her life!
Displaying 1 of 1 review