Today my name is colorful.
Yesterday my name was dead souls.
Tomorrow my name will be lively spirits.
My friends think my name is fire.
The police think my name is burden.
My parents think my name is symphony.
Secretly I know my name is anything I want it to be.

Paint Me Like I Am is a collection of poems by teens who have taken part in writing programs run by a national nonprofit organization called WritersCorps. To read the words of these young people is to hear the diverse voices of teenagers everywhere.

Included are a foreward by acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni, an essay from Kevin Powell, another poet associated with WritersCorps, and writing tips from WritersCorps instructors.

WritersCorps was started in 1994 to help at-risk youth in three American urban centers: San Francisco, Washington, DC, and New York City (the Bronx). Thousands of children and teenagers have since benefited from finding creative expression through writing.

Author: Bill Aguado, Richard Newirth
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Harperteen
Published: 02/18/2003
Pages: 144
Weight: 0.26lbs
Size: 6.90h x 4.90w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780064472647
Audience: Young Adult


Review Citation(s):
PW Notes and Reprints 01/13/2003 pg. 63
Voice of Youth Advocates 02/01/2003 pg. 496
Kirkus Review - Children 02/01/2003 pg. 244
School Library Journal 03/01/2003 pg. 255
BookPage 04/01/2003 pg. 28
Booklist 04/01/2003 pg. 1405
Kliatt 05/01/2003 pg. 31
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2003 pg. 454 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw
ALA Recmd for Reluctant YA's 03/15/2004 pg. 1291
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2003 pg. 454 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw
Publishers Weekly 01/13/2003