Things I Have to Tell You is a powerful books of poems written by teenage girls. As I read this book I related to many of the poems...they quickly took me back to my teenage years and the emotions and situations that I had at that time. I think that the uncensored poems help the reader to find a connection to the girls and know they are not the only ones experiencing those situations or feelings. ( )

This is a powerful collection of poem by some very talented female teens. The poems in this book deal with topics from social and personal issues that teens are experiencing everyday in the world. ( )

A beautifully designed collection of poetry written by girls. You will gain insight into the lives of these 12-18 year-olds. ( )

I'm fascinated by teenagers, they always felt so foreign to me, even when I was one. Even though our society tries to deny the realities of kids' lives, these youth document the struggles they go through and also show how resilient they are as individuals. ( )

www.barnesandnoble.comChildren's Literature
Writer and poet Betsy Franco has set out to capture the joys, sorrows, complaints and concerns of teenage girls. This compilation of over thirty poems and commentaries, each written by girls ranging in age from 14 to 18, captures the essence of what it means to be a female adolescent today. From discussions of the Women's Movement to self-esteem to sexual orientation, a variety of issues are covered. Some of the poems follow traditional verse with neat and tidy rhymes, whereas others are more unique, breaking free of conventional forms, reading more like pronouncements about the state of frustration or sadness of the writer. The expressive black-and-white photos that accompany the writing add to the strength of this anthology. This book is a great gift for any teenage girl. 2001, Candlewick Press, $15.99 and $8.99. Ages 14 up. Reviewer: Sheree Van Vreede