title: Vicious: True Stories by Teens About Bullying (Real Teen Voices Series)
author:  Youth Communication 
description: Gr 8 Up-Teens from New York-based Youth Communication pen autobiographical essays about their struggles with bullies, anger about bad home situations and unfair treatment, and pressure to conform or be successful. While not graphic or overly profane, their well-written stories are often harrowing to read, with frank accounts of abuse, neglect, sexuality, and crushing loneliness. Vicious is the darkest of the three, focusing on the destructive results of cruelty. In contrast, what is most striking about Rage and Pressure is the teens' resilience as they seek aid, learn coping strategies, or find outlets for self-expression. Introductions and concluding sections provide general information and resources. Teens will identify with the writers, discover that their own problems are not unique, and be encouraged to find help, making these titles, particularly Rage and Pressure, solid choices. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
zlib_text: Origins
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Guardian Anthology
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  By
  
  Jen Finelli
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Welcome
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I’m so glad to see you here, reading with me! I think you’ll have a lovely
  time, so I don’t want to interrupt you before we get started, but fair
  warning:
  
  The stories on the following pages rate about PG-13, with some cursing,
  occasional violence, and discussion of some difficult themes like mental
  illness and teen safety. (I counted about six total f-bombs.) I strive to make
  the Becoming Hero universe accessible to younger, more sheltered teens while
  still remaining honest to the real struggles less privileged teens and young
  adults face. There will be no graphic depictions of sex or sexual assault, and
  I want to avoid triggering anyone with glorified violence, but bad guys talk
  like bad guys, and you’re not going to hear Luis say, “Oh geez, Carl, I sure
  do hate how you stopped my evil plan!” You might find some themes make you
  uncomfortable, but you won’t be traumatized.
  
  Finally, whil