By Terrie Williams
Introduction by Queen Latifah
In this guidebook of life skills for young people, celebrity PR agent Terrie Williams discusses common negative attitudes and how to turn them around. Celebrities like Eddie Murphy recount their own stories and Queen Latifah introduces it all with an inspiring, personal message. Rap lyrics and real stories about real kids are interspersed throughout this book, which has been described as "a hip-hop version of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul."
Each chapter has a catchy title like "Life Isn't Fair and Nothing You Do Matters", "Nobody Else Uses Manners. Why Should I?", and "If I Don't Feel Like Being Bothered, I Shouldn't Have to Pretend." Basically, Ms. Williams takes these commonly-held beliefs among teens and turns them on their head with frank, uplifting style. Her book is very readable, full of great suggestions, and includes lots of examples from her own life, the lives of celebrities she's worked with, and teenagers.
Chapter five, "How I Talk is My Business" is an especially practical one, with tips on everything from overcoming shyness to writing condolence cards. There is great emphasis on talking slang (when it's appropriate) and using swear words (when it's inappropriate). Ms. Williams writes with honesty and knowledge about how teens and adults talk, and it's not at all patronizing. It's really real.
(ISBN: 0-439-12972-9)
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