Thirty-Eight Special

When you read about what’s happening in the lives of students, you’re reading an adult’s account. All the information is filtered through an adult’s experiences, prejudices, beliefs and understanding. But when you read the StudioSTL Anthology, you’re entering the world students perceive and live in. Thirty-eight students from Clyde C. Miller Career Academy and University City High School spent nine months working with mentors from the StudioSTL literacy group, learning to record their experiences and express themselves. The StudioSTL Anthology represents the work they completed. It’s definitely a different experience, as the world these kids live in is different than what you see. As young as they seem, they deal with adult problems, too: gang violence, homelessness, the struggle to succeed in school and life are issues they deal with and relay with the unflinching honesty of youth. At 7 p.m. this evening at Left Bank Books (399 North Euclid Avenue; 314-367-6731 or www.left-bank.com), contributing writers will read their work and sign copies of the book. Admission is free, and copies of the anthology will be available to purchase (proceeds benefit StudioSTL).
Tue., Nov. 6, 2007