National Network for Equitable Library Service

This book is about the transparent life experiences of young people who need validation and struggle because of it. The author gives personal examples from her own life about how she overcame these very real problems and circumstances. During the conversations in this book, the author adeptly provides these young people with a sense of hope and encouragement by never giving up or giving in. Sometimes, all they need is a listening ear or a few soft words of advice. For people who have lived through dark times or are currently struggling with hopelessness now, the author's journey shows how she coped in times of darkness. To reflect on the message gained from the experiences described in each section, she uses the acrostic poem that vertically spells "REALM," an acronym for Reflect, Examine, Apply, Learned and Motivation. Placed at the end of each section, these five directives point the reader to a set of specific questions that help him or her relate to the topics covered. Searching for answers to these questions will allow the reader the opportunity to interact with the text. If the effort is made to do that, this journey can become life-changing within the "REALM" of experiences. As a person reads this book on their own or in a small group, the author encourages each individual to think about their answers and respond to each question with honesty as the key. Hope can be found; darkness does not last forever.