In this collection of short stories, poetry, and excerpts from novels, Hazel Rochman and Darlene Z. McCampbell explore the journey--sometimes physical, sometimes metaphorical--that every person takes at some point in their youth; a journey that leads one away from home and toward a larger understanding of the world. Most of the pieces come from works originally published for adults, and the compilers bring a keen eye for excellent writing that will appeal to young adults, as well as a clear understanding of the many facets of their theme. In their introduction, Rochman and McCampbell note the archetypical nature of journey stories, but the pieces they have included go far beyond the archetypes and will challenge readers' perceptions of what a journey can be, and the many ways in which our lives our transformed. The varied perspectives of fifteen diverse writers are encompassed in this collection. Among the writers included are Sandra Cisneros, Toni Morrison, Edward P. Jones, Francisco Jiménez, Gary Soto and Amy Tan. (Age 14 and older)