JCPL Teens

I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets is a compilation of 600 six-word phrases from 600 real teenagers, all ages 13 to 19. The idea is originally from Ernest Hemingway, who was challenged to write a story in merely six words. He returned the challenge with, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” People have been fascinated with the idea of six-word phrase since. So, SMITH magazine in recent years asked adult authors to send in their six-word quotes about their life and it sparked a movement across the country. Schools, teachers, and readers of literature became intrigued with the few-word-long quotes. When SMITH learned of its success, they asked teenagers to continue the trend and send in their quotes. This book is an absolute must read. It is fast, but deeply moving and an insight to people’s lives everywhere. It is amazing how much someone can say in six words. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

What’s your six-word-story?