Includes indexes.

Essays on beliefs and ideals -- Essays on family, friends and love -- Essays on hard times and hope -- Essays on identity and self -- Essays on goals, dreams and the future.

In 50 compelling essays, young people from a wide range of backgrounds reflect on how words from literature connect with and influence their lives, goals, and personal philosophies. Essays explore character building topics including suffering the death of a parent, facing a life-threatening illness, letting go of perfectionism, making friends, reaching goals, and grappling with questions of identity.