By Wendy Liberatore
The Daily Gazette - November 19, 2000
Andrea Trask grew up in her father's bait and tackle shop.
Almost daily, Sheldon, a weatherbeaten lobsterman, would come in. The regular
would give the young Trask a hug or a wink and then relate the latest fishing
news.
One spring day, Sheldon didn't show up. Trask's mother told her he
had died in an accident at sea. That night, the teenager cried herself to
sleep.
When she rose the next morning, she wrote about Sheldon. This
written memorial, a moving tribute to a man she believed would always be there,
has been included in a newly released book.
Teen Ink: Our Voices, Our
Visions, a compilation of teen essays and poems, explores their experiences with
unsentimental honesty. A sister's attempt at suicide, the heartache of a
boyfriend's infidelity and a Chinese-American's battle with acceptance when she
dates a white boy. All are written with raw emotion, realism and
skill.
Trask and another area college student are among those who have
been published in the book. Trask is a sophomore at Siena College. Lori Kessler,
who wrote about a lasting love that everyone dismissed, is a freshman at the
University at Albany.
"I was surprised when it was accepted for the book,"
said Kessler, who is majoring in business. "I did not expect it. The editors had
submissions from hundreds of people."
A more accurate count would be 300,000
people who submitted their stories to Teen Ink Magazine, which published the book
.
Stephanie and John Meyer, editor and publisher respectively, selected
100 pieces that they felt were insightful and truthful.
They noted, "It is
empowering to know that there are other teens who share your thoughts, fears and
inspirations."
It helps that both Trask and Kessler said they themselves
were inspired.
"I was always big on writing," said Trask, who is an
English major. "I write poetry and prose to help me deal with something that
affects me strongly."
Kessler echoed that sentiment, saying, "I write
about things I care about. And I only write when I have something to write
about."
In her "Storybook Love," Kessler paints a portrait of Anthony, a
boy she met on a ski trip who lived six hours away from her home in Brooklyn.
When the vacation was over, she missed Anthony. Her parents belittled the
relationship, calling it a silly infatuation that would come to
nothing.
But they were wrong. For four years, the two kept in touch only
by letter and phone. Finally, in Kessler's junior year, Anthony visited her and
attended her prom. That night, they shared their first kiss. Today, they remain
in touch even though they are still separated by miles.
"Everyone has a
first experience with love," said Kessler, when asked if teens could relate to
her story.
And with death. That's why Trask's is also
universal.
"When I first got the letter from Teen Ink, I told my mother
throw it away because I thought it was one of those books where they put your
stuff in if you buy the book. Then the editor called my mother and said, 'This
story has to be in the book. Please have your daughter sign the permission form.'
When it was published, I was really excited."
And so far, Teen Ink has
been getting rave reviews. Filmmaker George Lucas wrote, "As a parent and
storyteller, I find great hope for the future based on the depth of feeling and
creativity in this unique book."
The Meyers are donating all proceeds from
the book to The Young Authors Foundation, which supports reading, writing and
publishing opportunities for young adults.
Teen Ink PO Box 30 Newton, MA 02461 (617) 964-6800 editor@teenink.com
Copyright 2008 by Teen Ink, The 21st Century and The Young Authors Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written
permission of the publisher: The Young Authors Foundation, Inc.
Teen Ink is a national teen magazine, book and website featuring
teen writing, information, art, photos, poetry, teen issues and more. All
articles are written by teen authors who are students at schools. The monthly
print magazine is appropriate for any teenager -- teenagers age 13 to 19
attending secondary school: junior high school, middle school and high school.
This publication is used by professional people including English teachers,
writing teachers, language arts instructors, journalism teachers, school
newspaper advisors, librarians, guidance counselors, K-12 principals in addition
to the PTA or PTO. Each issue of Teen Ink magazine contains a wide variety of
student work: we publish nonfiction, fiction, poems, community service, sports,
heroes, interviews, college essays, college reviews, book reviews, concert
reviews, movie reviews, music reviews, video reviews, video game reviews, the
environment, opinion, sports, pets, cars, automobiles, travel and culture, jobs
and money, health issues, artwork, photographs, cartoons, short stories, essays,
writing contests, a college directory and the website also has a bulletin board
and resources for teens and educators. Subjects include racism,
eating disorders, depression, death, suicide, family, relationships, jobs,
grandparents, violence, the college process, college information, colleges,
driving, self esteem, the arts, movies and more. Teen Ink is also a book series
published by HCI Teens. Subjects covered in the book include Friends, Fitting In,
Love, Challenges, Family, Heroes, Loss and Memories. Teen Ink was established in
1989 as The 21st Century magazine by The Young Authors Foundation, a nonprofit
organization. More than 25,000 teens have been published in the magazine and its
companion Poetry Journal. Teen Ink runs a London Summer Program for teenage writers.
