
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the overwhelming intensity of a first love, the confusion of a crush, or the sharp sting of a breakup. It serves as a vital emotional mirror for adolescents who feel their feelings are too big or too unique for others to understand. This collection of 100 poems is written entirely by teenagers, offering an unfiltered look at romance across different sexual orientations and ethnicities. Through these pages, teens will find their own experiences validated, from the dizzying highs of obsession to the heavy weight of loneliness. It is an ideal choice for parents who want to support their child's emotional intelligence and show them that they are not alone in the chaos of growing up. The raw honesty makes it most appropriate for mature middle schoolers and high school students who are ready to explore the complex realities of young relationships.
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Sign in to write a reviewVisceral depictions of heartbreak, rejection, and emotional pain.
Occasional use of mild profanity or mature phrasing typical of teenage speech.
The book deals with identity and sexuality in a direct, secular, and matter of fact manner. It addresses heartbreak and obsession with a realistic lens. The resolution is realistic, some poems end with growth while others linger in the pain of the moment, mirroring the true teenage experience.
A 14 to 17 year old who feels misunderstood by adults or peers regarding their romantic life. It is perfect for the quiet, observant teen who finds solace in writing or the student experiencing their first major heartbreak.
Parents should be aware that the poems are raw. There are mentions of physical longing and intense emotional distress. It is best read as a bridge for conversation, though it can be read cold by the teen as a private emotional resource. A parent might reach for this after seeing their teen crying over a breakup, obsessively checking their phone for a text, or perhaps after their teen comes out and is looking for representation of queer joy and longing.
Middle schoolers will focus on the excitement and 'drama' of crushes. High schoolers will connect more deeply with the nuance of identity, the physical descriptions of longing, and the complex grief of lost relationships.
Unlike many adult written YA romances, this is 'by teens, for teens.' The lack of an adult filter makes the voice authentic and prevents it from feeling patronizing or overly sentimental.
This is an anthology of 100 poems curated by Betsy Franco, written entirely by teenagers. The content is organized by the trajectory of young love, covering the initial spark of attraction, the depth of committed relationships, the pain of unrequited love, and the aftermath of heartbreaks. It reflects a diverse range of voices and identities.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.