The Art of Giving A Crap: You Never Know What Someone is Going Through is written by the combined efforts of the Young Author Project. Asher and Lucy are middle school students trying to survive the stormy seas of growing up. Asher doesn’t have a great home life and feels isolated, while Lucy struggles to fit in. When Lucy and Asher clash in the school hallway one day, it forces them both to stop and think about their lives. To think about why Lucy wants to be part of the in-clique so badly, and how Asher is so angry. They must face their fears and work together to overcome their inner insecurities. Things they deal with and struggle through daily, things that no one else ever sees and couldn’t possibly understand. This is more than just a story; it’s real life.

The Art of Giving a Crap by the Young Author Project is a powerful story written by teacher Natalie Wilkinson and her teenage students. That makes it one of the most realistic stories of its kind, written from the heart and real-life experiences of teens the world over. Be warned – this is a hard-hitting emotional rollercoaster and might open your eyes to what the teens around you face every day. What you see isn’t necessarily what’s real because kids are good at hiding their feelings. For some, it’s the fear of being ridiculed and bullied; for others, it’s the fear that people will simply laugh and turn their backs on them. This book is an eye-opener into the struggles teens face growing up – bullying, stress, and a fear of not being accepted by others. Caregivers and school teachers should also read this book, as it might open their eyes to what kids are struggling with. It might also help them connect better with kids and see what’s underneath, not just the outside face. This book will have you laughing, crying, and cringing at what the kids go through in equal measure. It is written from the points of view of both main characters, allowing you more than a glimpse into what they fight every day – it might just open your eyes to the fact that your teen is not just another sulky kid growing up. They may be struggling with something that you don’t see. Captivating, compelling, and highly recommended reading.

The Art of Giving A Crap by Natalie Wilkinson and the Young Author Project is a young adult book that explores the emotional and social challenges of middle school life. Written collaboratively by teens and their teacher, the story follows Asher, who struggles with isolation and a difficult home life, and Lucy, who faces the pressures of fitting in. Their lives intersect dramatically, forcing them to confront their fears. This book offers valuable insights for parents, teachers, and anyone seeking to understand the complexities of adolescence, making it a powerful tool for fostering empathy and connection with teens.

Author Natalie Wilkinson and the Young Author Project have brilliantly captured the authentic voices of teens today in this highly engaging book, making the characters' struggles deeply relatable and engaging for young people and their families everywhere to connect to. The collaboration between students and their teacher is an innovative way of telling a story that is fully informed and truly authentic, adding a genuine, insider perspective to the narrative and enriching it with real-life experiences. The authors tackle all the tough social issues you’d expect, like bullying, anxiety, and peer pressure, but everything is dealt with in a balanced way. There’s a great command of sensitivity and depth, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by today’s teens, but in a way that is never too upsetting or overwhelming to explore. I applaud the book's ability to bridge the communication gap between adults and teens too, offering older readers a heartfelt guide to better empathize with and support young people, and younger readers the chance to feel seen and represented. Overall, The Art of Giving A Crap is a must-read for anyone interested in great storytelling and young people’s social issues.

The Art of Giving a Crap is a teacher-led publication co-authored by individuals who are known as Young Author Project. Lucy Mae has an average life and enjoys her eighth-grade clique as she seeks to impress the most popular girl in school. Asher hides the marks on his skin from his father's beatings and the cuts he makes in his arms. He stays in this unhealthy environment to protect Mia, his little sister. On the first day of school, Lucy Mae's and Asher's paths collide in a disturbance that leaves Lucy Mae's phone broken, prompting an outburst. The book raises awareness about underage drinking, substance misuse, self-harm, physical and emotional abuse, and bullying, and the co-authors leave messages of hope after the story.

Young Author Project knows how to create a book that will hold readers' interest and take them on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Social issues can be tricky, but the authors approached these in the right way. The story shows the difficulties children and well-meaning people face when they try to improve situations for themselves and others. I was so deeply affected by this story that I doubt I will forget the events the authors described. There were times when I looked at my children with tears in my eyes and wished I could give everyone a balanced childhood. Parts of the narrative illustrated gut-wrenching sorrow, and there were also wonderful, well-meaning people who cared - some who helped and others who stood by and did hardly anything. After reading The Art of Giving a Crap, readers will have a better understanding of the ways they can help and be kinder to others and, hopefully, reach out to more distressed children or peers, giving them a brighter future.

The Art of Giving a Crap by Young Author Project begins with a new school year for Lucy, with a chaotic morning that sets the stage for her interactions with new and old acquaintances, including a confrontation, a broken phone, and extra chores at home. Lucy's classmate Asher deals with terrible issues at home and bullying at school, and escalating stress leads him to lash out and face disciplinary actions. He finds small comforts in temporary distractions and guidance from Mr. Cheezers. Lucy's and Asher's paths become almost inseparable when their families meet at a park. Asher's anxieties over a potential family separation are trounced by tragedy, and Asher is overcome with guilt and grief. Lucy, despite her own issues and intensive peer pressure, takes a proactive role in reaching out to Asher.

The Art of Giving a Crap went in a direction that I did not see coming at all, and it took me a bit of time to recalibrate. Young Author Project addresses multiple issues, the greatest being childhood death and self-harm, both of which were somewhat triggering. However, once I was able to move forward, I was able to focus on Asher's and Lucy's respective arcs. I liked the inclusion of contemporary culture, such as a live-streamed birthday party invitation, and felt that Lucy's voice and narrative read like an authentic middle-school student. Asher has been forced into a premature carer role that, on top of everything else he endures, is so well depicted that it is heartbreaking. The writing style is consistent with the age of its first-person narrative and, overall, I think this is a solid read for those looking for a story with extra depth. Recommended.