2009 Teen Leader "Pretend Book" Excerpts

This year, the House of Peace Teen Leaders wrote “pretend” books about themselves.  Here are excerpts…some are the Table of Contents, some Acknowledgments, some “About the Author,” and some poetry.

Lessons in Love     

by kara macon

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1. ily (I love you)

Chapter 2. tomorrow’s present

Chapter 3. you’re cool

Chapter 4. skinny jeans + ice cream

Chapter 5. change your life

Chapter 6. music = life

Chapter 7. irreplaceable

Chapter 8. lesson learned

Chapter 9. amazingly awesome

Chapter 10. new beginnings

Lessons Learned Through My Life

by Alisha Berg

About the Author:

Alisha Berg came from a family of six and attended private schools. This is where she developed her strong drive for writing a story about her life and the lessons learned. She grew up playing basketball and attended St. Thomas, playing basketball there.  Now she is a well known actuarian working for various insurance companies and traveling all over the world.  Lastly, she is the mother of two and is working toward a higher degree in the field of actuarial science. At this point in time, she isn’t sure about writing another book.

Shut Up … Please?                    

by Joana DeLira

Chap.1. My Name is…!

Chap. 2. The Function of Bugs and Sweat Makes No Sense

Chap. 3. Why Books Lead to Invisible Doors that Open to Invisible Places

Chap. 4. Questioning Awkward

Chap. 5. Why I Love my Mom and the New Millennium

Chap. 6. Redefining ‘Chef’

Chap. 7. Wishing for a Tree to Grow in My Room

Chap. 8. The Incense Incidents

Chap. 9. Bruises Are Cool… If You Put Ice on Them

Chap. 10. Rejected! WHY???

Chap. 11. ROYGBV and Figuring Out Why it Matters

Chap. 12. The Mouse that my Mom thinks is in the House

Chap. 13. Finding Out the Reason Behind the Wall

Chap. 14. Chap Instead of Ch., or Chapter

Chap. 15. On the Gravestone

The Life Books Journey

by Dauson Woma

About the Author:

Dauson C. Womack was a graduate of Marquette University. He majored in law and came to Milwaukee to build a law firm with the Cannons. He signed a multi billion dollar contract to represent NBA and NFL players. He is married for five years and has one child. He plans to retire in Hawaii at age 45 with this family, and he hopes his son will go to The Marquette University High School.

The Roses Around Me      

by Kayla Mazul 

Excerpt:

The world I feel is crumbling

The world I feel is falling

The people I see are suffering

The people I see are dying

How can I help the world around me

When I feel as though I’m not here?

Mr. Cameron, Ya Mon

by Arthur Cameron

Excerpt:

Who am I?

No one knows.

What does it matter?
 I am Jamaican.

Two Sides   

by Fernando Espino 

About the Author: 

Fernando, born in Mexico, has spent the majority of his life in the United States.  After graduating with a Masters in Business from Harvard University, he moved to Europe for several years, traveling and enjoying the world.  He returned to Boston, where he has now constructed and currently is CEO and president of his own billion dollar company. He lives happily with his wife and two sons in Boston, with homes in Mexico, Los Angeles, and Milwaukee.

 Leaves on the Wind: A Biography of the Human Spirit

by Francis Klein

About the Author: 

Francis J. Klein was born in March, 1994, in the city of Milwaukee. He attended Montessori school as a child, at the school where his mother was employed. His family has had a long history with the school. His grandparents helped found it, and his father went there. He went to Pius XI Catholic High School. There, he studied many favorite subjects, including Visual Arts and Creative Writing.

He got a full scholarship to Harvard College, where he majored in Education and English.  He got his doctorate in education in 2020 and got a doctorate in applied physics in  2023. He now teaches at University of Pennsylvania, and has a summer job with NASA helping direct the exploration of space programs for the education of youth.

He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Caitlin, and their cat Max (nicknamed Furball). He intends to keep writing until they nail shut his coffin.

 The Life of a Prophet (according to Bryan)

by Bryan Ramirez

Excerpt:

From shyness to outgoing,

From held back to no restraints,

The House of Peace has done it all

In a matter of days.

I became a leader and had

Some fun along the way.

I also made great friends

Who are here to stay!

The House of Peace taught me

That there is a way.

 Becca Torres                                

By Rebecca Torres

About the Author:

Rebecca Torres: a community leader, dentist, mother, and wife. Rebecca was born and raised in the City of Milwaukee. There she saw poverty and depression. She knew that she couldn't change the world, but she could try and change Milwaukee. She worked in soup kitchens, clothing drives and other miscellaneous community service projects.

She went to Saint Thomas More High School, where she received a very good education. There she learned the everyday knowledge that one would need to know in order to succeed. She graduated in 2010 with about 120 other people. She then went on to Marquette University, there her major was dentistry with a minor in English lit. Rebecca graduated in the year of 2014. From there she went on graduate school for 3 years at University Southern California School of Dentistry. Graduating in the year 2017. Rebecca then got married in 2018 and is now presiding in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. On May 14, 2020, Rebecca gave birth to their son Joaquin. On October 23, 2024, Rebecca gave birth to their daughter Josaline.

Rebecca has been a happy wife and mother for over 5 years now. She has a very successful practice of her own and is trying to open up another dentist office.

Story of My Life    

by Beatriz Lemus

About the Author: 

Beatriz Lemus is currently  30 years old and works as a lawyer. She graduated from Stanford University with a degree in law. She also works for PETA and is an animal rights activist.  She is married to the amazing Oliver Sykes and does not have any kids. They have 2 dogs and live happily California. She plans on writing many more books during her life.

Sun’s Life Journey      

 by Sun Robérson 

About the Author: 

Sun Robérson, head engineer at MIT University, has been across the country building and manufacturing sturdy and sustainable buildings. She has been leading the building of the Metro Rails in  Milwaukee, WI.

The Times of Me     

by Keyon Graham

About the Author: 

Mr. Keyon Graham is a business tycoon. He owns a chain of kids recreation centers where kids can stay out of trouble and off the streets around Wisconsin.  He also owns a chain of Wal-Marts, McDonalds, and Applebees around the world.

This book explains what Keyon went through in his life with his family (his wife of 4 years and his two kids), growing up in Wisconsin, and struggling to become a very rich billionaire at the young age of 26.

Reading this book will inspire you to push yourself, no matter what you have gone through or where you come from. It will convince you that you can be anything you want to be.

The Long Road Ahead      

by Reggie Bell

About the Author:

Reggie Bell, at 35, has a number of accomplishments. After a high school service trip to Ecuador, bell felt it was his mission to be an elementary school teacher.  After receiving his bachelor degree in education from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Reggie decided to spend a year teaching the underprivileged youth of Ecuador. Upon coming back to America, he continued to fulfill his goal of education the youth, by moving to Florida and spending time teaching in the rough communities of Miami. Now married, with three kids, Reggie continues to encourage not only the youth in this community, but his own children on the importance of education and service.

The Life of a Beautiful and Innocent Angel 

by Aqueelah Atandare-Jones

Acknowledgements:

I want to acknowledge my mother before I mention anyone else because she’s a very important figure and role model in my life.

I would like to thank my mother for doing all the things she does and has me involved in because I know it’s only for my best an only to make me successful.

I would also like to acknowledge the rest of my family and friends because when I needed a helping had, they were there for me.

My Journey            

by Steven Berg  

Excerpt:

My Journey

Look down the Road

All cracked and Old

The people we meet might be as Cold

Look to the Heavens with Silver and Gold

See your Choices – Which one will you be Sold

Ready to Shine        

by Kayla Gonzalez

About the Author:

Kayla Gonzalez moved to Boston to go to college and earn her medical degree, with a specialty in forensic pathology. She also has a degree in journalism.

Kayla has a minor in performing arts and has been a musician (playing the piano) for 20 years. She has married a famous musician that she met at one of her honor recitals for piano. She also has an apartment overlooking the city. She plans to continue her career as a pathologist, but also continue to perform when ever she can.