Teen Ink Magazine,
June 2008 :
Nonfiction Articles
Carbecue by Robert R., Mesa, AZ Like all great American tales, this story begins at a Starbucks. Well, technically, it began at my high school with me begging my friend Kelsey to take me to Starbucks. I mean, we had a whole 20 minutes before class ... Continue...
It’s On by John H., So. Plainfield, NJ He was standing in the doorway like he owned the place. There was a look of smug satisfaction on his face. I looked back at him and knew it was on.
If anything had ever been on before, I wouldn’t have known because I’m not too good with history ... Continue...
Love Is a Cactus by Sarah, VA Not long ago, my girlfriend gave me a cactus. Like many things with her, I decided not to ask why. She has an interesting idea of what constitutes a present ... Continue...
Model Aspirations by Julie C., Paoli, PA “Julie, they are ready for you now.”
Jamming my sweaty palms into my jacket pockets, I nervously enter the audition room. This is the room where two people observe me like an experiment to determine if the mouse (me) is special enough to be called back for further testing ... Continue...
My First Job by Veronica H., Jonesboro, AR Being 17 without money can be frustrating. So when the chance to referee elementary basketball came my way, I jumped at the opportunity to have more than just lint in my pockets. I thought it would be a fun way to earn some “easy money ... Continue...
Nancy by Shaylene M., Waterbury, CT When I was 10, my mother needed a babysitter for me since she was still at work when I got home from school. The only person available was an old woman named Nancy, whom I was terrified of. She was grumpy and hated everyone ... Continue...
Once Upon a Dream by Luna R., Pittsburgh, PA Once upon a dream, I was at summer camp, apprehensive, my book bag clutched tightly in my pale arms, trying to soften the thump-thumping of my heart.
The ground was hard, a mixture of brown and green fading beneath my feet. Half grass, half cement. Half beauty, half reality ... Continue...
Potty by Keegan W., Dallas, TX My teeth ground together, my knuckles grew white, my biceps swelled with effort. Crinkling my eyes in concentration, I knew I had to fulfill my duty: I must keep the Port-A-Potty door closed ... Continue...
Sight of Summer by Greg D., Voorhees, NJ School was out and summer had officially begun. Many teens traded their books for bathing suits and headed to the beach. I spent my summer working.
Being a camp counselor is exhausting but rewarding ... Continue...
Summer Blues by Adam N., Wyckoff, NJ The sun was just beginning to stream through the blinds when I woke up. It was a beautiful summer morning, and I had the feeling it was going to be an unforgettable day. Full of energy, I leapt out of bed ... Continue...
The Lanes by Edie R., Tucson, AZ We are the only ones on the lanes; behind us, a family is having a pathetic excuse for a birthday party. Sydnie is using the bathroom for the millionth time. I smile at Hannah.
“Fake names. You’re Nancy Lancaster, right? Maybe I’ll play as Ms. Dena St. James,” I say ... Continue...
Teen Ink PO Box 30 Newton, MA 02461 (617) 964-6800 editor@teenink.com
Copyright 2008 by Teen Ink, The 21st Century and The Young Authors Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written
permission of the publisher: The Young Authors Foundation, Inc.
Teen Ink is a national teen magazine, book and website featuring
teen writing, information, art, photos, poetry, teen issues and more. All
articles are written by teen authors who are students at schools. The monthly
print magazine is appropriate for any teenager -- teenagers age 13 to 19
attending secondary school: junior high school, middle school and high school.
This publication is used by professional people including English teachers,
writing teachers, language arts instructors, journalism teachers, school
newspaper advisors, librarians, guidance counselors, K-12 principals in addition
to the PTA or PTO. Each issue of Teen Ink magazine contains a wide variety of
student work: we publish nonfiction, fiction, poems, community service, sports,
heroes, interviews, college essays, college reviews, book reviews, concert
reviews, movie reviews, music reviews, video reviews, video game reviews, the
environment, opinion, sports, pets, cars, automobiles, travel and culture, jobs
and money, health issues, artwork, photographs, cartoons, short stories, essays,
writing contests, a college directory and the website also has a bulletin board
and resources for teens and educators. Subjects include racism,
eating disorders, depression, death, suicide, family, relationships, jobs,
grandparents, violence, the college process, college information, colleges,
driving, self esteem, the arts, movies and more. Teen Ink is also a book series
published by HCI Teens. Subjects covered in the book include Friends, Fitting In,
Love, Challenges, Family, Heroes, Loss and Memories. Teen Ink was established in
1989 as The 21st Century magazine by The Young Authors Foundation, a nonprofit
organization. More than 25,000 teens have been published in the magazine and its
companion Poetry Journal. Teen Ink runs a London Summer Program for teenage writers.
