Reality Quest: Teens Making the Facts

Today's teens grapple daily with the increasing challenges of a very complex world. Technology liberates at the same time as it constrains. Peers and the media can function as lifelines, but also can contribute to confusion-even despair, and parents can spur a whole gamut of emotions. No wonder teens often don't know where to turn or what to do first. The rapid-fire messages that bombard them from minute to minute consistently contradict one another: Be yourself! Fit in! You have all the time in the world! Grow up!

Reality Quest begins each chapter with actual e-mail exchanges between real teens-or in online jargon, an IM-that relates to the chapter's topic. Then, essential details and supporting data provide opportunities for teens to explore the information. "Tests" complement each chapter, helping teens discover how they fit in with what they've learned and giving them an avenue to express their thoughts and feelings. The authors also have a website that ties in with the book and invites teens to express their views.

The combined use of factual data, teen-created IMs and other by-teens-for-teens contributions present a unique product-one that respects their intelligence and powers of reasoning, and at the same time empathizes at their level. Different from story collections because the contributions included are slice-of-life rather than literary, this book is sure to be a popular teen read.

For every teen struggling with these issues and more, Reality Quest will help them find answers throughout their journey to adulthood.