True Teen Stories

This thrilling volume tells the stories of young people who have faced some of the most extreme situations in modern times, making abstract stories of violence real for readers. From Bring Back Our Girls to less publicized instances, this book provides political context and gives a human face to victims of terrorism. The book helps readers connect with victims of violence on a personal level.

Around the world, young people under the age of eighteen serve in militaries and as part of armed groups. Their experiences vary from carefully controlled, such as the stories of sixteen-year-old soldiers in the British Armed Forces, to harrowing, such as the cases of teens who are forced to take up arms or face violence to themselves or their families. This book spans the globe, looking at the experiences of young soldiers to contextualize their role in world events, relate the circumstances of their daily lives, and help readers understand how teen soldiers' lives are similar to other teens' in ways both big and small.

Nearly two million teens face homelessness a year in the United States alone. This book shares the stories of teens who are homeless and live on the streets or in shelters, with or without their families. Readers are presented with relatable facts about a vulnerable population. They will learn what can be done to address homelessness, and how to remedy the long-lasting consequences of the epidemic.

Wars, political oppression, and natural disasters are just a few of the reasons that people are forced to leave their homes in search of a new future. This book sheds light on what it's like to be a young refugee, including what day-to-day life looks like as a displaced teen in places like Greece, Jordan, Darfur, and more. Case studies detail the specific circumstances that lead to displacement today, presenting a comprehensive, relatable, and empathetic look at one of the modern world's most pressing problems.

Discussions about prisoners often take for granted that a sizable number of those incarcerated are under the age of eighteen. Serving time as a teen has a unique set of challenges, and this book describes, in a relatable way, the issues facing young people behind bars both in the United States and abroad. The book includes information about teens incarcerated around the globe, including those who are economic prisoners forced to work to pay off familial debts. This volume also sheds light on what life is like for teens after their sentence has been served.

Terror groups' recruitment efforts center on vulnerable, impressionable populations, which make teens a common target. This book helps readers understand why and how teens join terrorist organizations like ISIS and the Lord's Resistance Army by providing specific case studies. The book also explains the geopolitical circumstances that have given rise to terrorist groups themselves and promotes critical thinking about what drives young people to engage in terrible violence.