The Courage to Change: A Teen Survival Guide

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

Widowed in 1972 because of an act of violence committed by a 14-year-old
boy, Twinkie Rudberg ultimately came to the conclusion that the
perpetrator was as much a victim of violence as his victim. As a result
of her realization, Rudberg founded Leave Out ViolencE (LOVE) in 1993.
This grassroots organization works with youth who have been
perpetrators, victims, or witnesses of violence in order to provide them
with the tools to reject violent behavior.

The book, printed on glossy paper, consists of writing assignments used
in the LOVE journalism programs. Eleven of the 13 chapters are given
over to the youths’ writings with their prose and poetry organized
under the headings: “Feelings,” “Self-image,” “Home,”
“Domestic Violence,” “School,” “Bullying,” “Drugs,”
“Relationships,” “Gangs,” “Sexual Abuse,” and
“Intolerance.” Chapter 12, “Your Turn,” provides readers with
the opportunity to participate by responding to the writing assignments
utilized by LOVE. A final chapter, “And Here’s What the Adults
Say...” offers brief adult perspectives on the 11 main themes. The
book is illustrated throughout with black-and-white photos taken by LOVE
youth photographers. The usually short, individual contributions are
either completely anonymous or identified by a first name and age (at
writing).

Although the poetry entries are always presented in a consistent type
face, the prose entries are interrupted by a variety of fonts and sizes.
While such a mixture of visual stimuli within a single piece may appeal
to the MuchMusic generation, it interferes with the text’s
readability. Despite the ambitious subtitle, this book cannot be
considered “a teen survival guide.” It is, however, a powerful
emotional record of contemporary adolescents’ experiences with
violence. As such, portions may speak to some readers. Not a
first-choice purchase.