Teenagers are the overlooked heroes in the fight against AIDS – young soldiers of survival in a common battle, defending their right to believe in life. These are their stories and poems. These are their questions and hopes. This is their voice. As one teen puts it, “We need to feel the value of our own lives.” In the words of another, “If my friend had AIDS – no cure, she’d have me, without fail.” And still another, “Dear HIV, some of us will use you as an excuse to fly!”
Highlights include:
- Scott’s story of the night in 1987 when he got infected with HIV.
- Conversations with teens discussing topics ranging from sex and abstinence to death and suicide, as well as AIDS testing, how to say “no” and how to be a hero.
- Heartwarming stories about some of the teens as they learn about AIDS and the value of life.
- Poems written by the teens themselves.
- Scott’s well researched theory as to why teens are putting themselves at risk for HIV and other STIs.
This book is for teenagers who need to be educated about AIDS. It is also for parents and other adults who are concerned about the threat of this disease on today’s youth.
This book is for anyone who is growing up in a world where there is AIDS.
admin – :
“Dear Scott:
My name is Sara and I am 15 years-old. Last month, on your trip to Israel, you lectured to the ‘native speakers’ class in the high school where my mother works, and that’s how I got your book.
A week ago, I was deeply depressed: I recently realized that school isn’t the right place for me, so I quit and decided to study the Israeli matriculation by myself. I also left home (I currently live in my grandma’s attic) because my father thinks I am a total failure and I can no longer look him in the eyes.
Most of my friends think that by leaving school I ‘irreversibly ruined my life,’ and ‘took the easy way out,’ but I know I was doing the right thing. A week ago, I had to face the consequences of my decisions, and it wasn’t easy at all. I was so sad and I couldn’t do anything for longer than five minutes, and when I stopped keeping myself busy I’d get flooded with disturbing thoughts. I was frustrated. I couldn’t sleep or eat. I was powerless and unable to help myself. I felt like I didn’t want to be around anymore and it scared me. So I decided to learn about life from the people who cherish it best: you and the people you tell about in your book.
Your book helped me understand that there are good and caring people in the world; I just need to find them. It helped restore my faith in myself and others and reminded me of my hopes. I think that your book is a guide to understanding and loving life. It contains brilliant and useful ideas in a simple an innocent language. Not only did it change my life, it also prevented me from doing something terrible. Thank you.”
– Sara, in Israel
admin – :
“In a chaotic world, your touching and honest words helped bring clarity to my life. There are so many teens out there craving direction and lacking confidence, but don’t know where to get it. Your book is the answer.”
– Kristin, age 16
admin – :
“The last place I expected to spend the day and night was in the emergency room at the nearby hospital with my adult daughter. She was finally admitted at 8:30PM this evening. While they were giving her morphine and several antibiotics, she asked me to read to her. I haven’t read to her in many years. She has a daughter of her own who is now 6-1/2 years old.
I started reading from If I Grow Up. I read to her the poems about life, written by teenagers. When I looked at the curtain that was drawn around her cubicle, I noticed that there were at least six pair of feet on the other side of the curtain facing in.
After a while, I stopped, when my daughter fell asleep. Suddenly, two heads poked in through the curtain to ask what I was reading. They were touched by the poems, by the teenagers, by the hope in their voices.”
– L.G., Florida
admin – :
“I have been reaching deep into my healing resources to try and find something that will reach and touch a student I’m working with. So I pulled If I Grow Up: Talking With Teens About AIDS, Love and Staying Alive off my bookshelf and began reading to her. She was transformed. And I subsumed under memories and warmth. So I wanted you to know that the power of your words, and even more so, the power of the kids’ words, is unparalleled.”
– Beth Giladi