They Called Me 299-359 is an anthology of poetry and essays written, edited, and compiled by incarcerated youth who are Free Minds Book Club members, held both at the DC Jail and in adult federal facilities across the country. Through moving personal testimony, these young writers explore the challenges and pain of incarceration as well as family, forgiveness, redemption, and dreams. Their book is used as a tool for violence prevention and healing...

In a time when almost any gritty topic can be featured in a young adult novel, there is one subject that is avoided by writers and publishers. Faith and belief in God seldom appear in traditional form in novels for teens. The lack of such ideas in mainstream adolescent literature can be interpreted by teens to mean that these matters are not important. Yet a significant part of growing up is struggling with issues of spirituality. The underlying problem,...

Sometimes losing something can change the way you see everything.From the author of The Qualities of Wood, Bellflower, and Starling comes Mary Vensel White's first novel for young adults, a journey of a lifetime where adventure meets self-discovery.Tuesday Mayes has always felt like she was meant for more than the desert she's lived in her whole life. With the summer after high school graduation upon her, she is eager to start a new chapter despite...