Hip Deep: Opinion, Essays, and Vision from American Teenagers

I highly recommend this book. This should be required reading for every high school teacher, so that they understand the depth of their students' lives, and what they can do if given the right environment. Chapters are on Race, Culture and Origin; Family; Learning, and War, Peace and Change on a Small Planet. I especially enjoyed the essays on War and Peace, they are very timely. Great essay on playing Amazing Grace on the violin at Ground Zero just after 9/11. Good reading for adults and for teenagers both so this book will stay on my shelf.

I bought this book for my 14 year old but ended up not being able to put it down myself. Some of the stories in it I will never forget.