The American Teenager: It's Complicated by Robin Bowman

Bowman, R. (2007) It's complicated: the American teenager. New York: Umbrage Editions, Inc. ISBN: 9781884167690

Plot Summary: Over one hundred photos have been taken of teenagers from all over the United States. The black and white photos each capture the beauty of the teens and their setting. Each story is very different from the next. The first couple stories are from teenagers who tell of their experience after 9/11. They speak of their emotions, communities, and relationships with the people in their lives. Other stories include teens who have experienced violence, pregnancy, travels, illnesses, love, and every other aspect of life. The interviews are short and conclude with the name and location of the teen(s). Readers will read about the lives of teen parents, prom queens, athletes, dwarfs, naturalists,drug addicts, musicians, and so many other types of teens.

Critical Evaluation: Reading about the lives of teens from all over the states is very eye-opening. Several of these teens who were interviewed have stories that are both shocking and inspiring. The stories were kept brief so that readers will have the opportunity to understand the broad range of lifestyles. The black and white photography makes each photo unique. The photos are taken in the teens' natural environment which makes the subject so much more authentic. I like how between each twenty pages, the proof sheets show the pictures of all of the photos included in the book. Each story was so different from the next which provided a wide spectrum of personalities and life experiences.

Information about the Author: Robin Bowman is a photojournalist who is based in New York. Many of her photos relate to political and social issues. She currently lives in Maine.

Annotation: Robin Bowman is a photographer and writer who interviews over one hundred teenagers throughout the United States to find out about what has impacted their lives the most.
Curriculum Ties: Photography and social issues

Booktalking Ideas: Discuss black and white photography and how the photojournalist used it to capture her images.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: Sexual content

Reason for Inclusion: The book received positive reviews from Elisabeth Biondi, the visual director of The New Yorker.