Hear These Voices: Youth at the Edge of the Millennium

Photographer and youth counselor Allison debuts with a volume comprised of 18 accounts of teens who have overcome extraordinary obstacles, but frames the profiles in a way that detracts from the testimonies. The first chapter begins with a composite picture of life on the streets of Johannesburg and Pretoria through the words of several teenagers; the following chapters highlight one or two teenagers' stories. Although the subjects vary in nationality, race and gender, they share an underlying spirit of self-reliance and a commitment to change as they tackle problems that range from drug addiction to civil unrest in Northern Ireland; one girl, sold into prostitution in Thailand at the age of 10, is now in a training program to educate her native village about AIDS. Atmospheric black-and-white photographs transport readers to each subject's environs. For example, runaway Carrie is shown emerging from her makeshift lodgings under a bridge in Denver, Colo., to head to her part-time job. Unfortunately, the chapters end jarringly with commentary from adults who are involved with the programs and organizations helping these teens. Unlike the kids profiled, who speak to their peers, the adults address other adults (""I think a lot of these kids don't trust anyone"") with a didacticism that will be a turnoff to most readers. Ironically, despite the fact that many of the teens included here are involved in helping others like themselves, the book never tells readers how they might participate--or find help themselves. This book aims high but misses its mark. Ages 12-up. (Jan.)