A collection of original poems and creative writing exercises that will inspire teens to write about their own lives. ""Since the very beginnings of the human race, we've been gathering in circles and telling stories because beyond the physical needs for food, water, clean air, and security, one of our most basic yearnings is to express ourselves, to share what we know, what we dream, what we imagine, and what we feel."" Experienced poet and teacher Kathi Appelt has written a wonderful collection of poems for young adult readers, accompanied by fascinating accounts of how and why the poems came to be, along with writing exercises to inspire readers to create their own poetry. A perfect gift and an excellent classroom resource, this book opens up the world of poetry in a way that is accessible and appealing to teens.