You Got This!

February 1, 2016
Penn, a 15-year-old entrepreneur who has given three TED Talks, uses her early successes to inspire others. Over three sections, Penn urges readers to embrace their creativity and interests, and to consider how doing something they love might lead to unexpected opportunities. Mixed in are autobiographical passages in which Penn explains how she launched the eco-friendly clothing company Maya’s Ideas and the nonprofit organization Maya’s Ideas 4 the Planet. Though her firmly upbeat tone can come on strong (“Fast-forward to age seven or eight, and I had decided to take that positivity to the next level. I was ready to create my own ‘dream board,’ filled with uplifting fortunes, drawings, illustrations, and quotes”), ambitious and motivated readers should find her can-do attitude contagious. Ages 8–14.

February 15, 2016
If every teenager were as together as author Penn, the world would be a much different place. Maya started her first business at the age of 8, and she hasn't looked back. Now 15, she has started a nonprofit organization, been featured in dozens of articles and interviews, and given three TED talks. In the African-American teen's first inspirational self-help book, she attempts to share some of her process with her readers. She explains the value of a dream board, the importance of finding out what kind of creative person you are, and she directs her readers to find friends and mentors that provide encouragement. Maya offers plenty of good advice and peppers her narrative with her own stories of success and the challenges she overcame. However, she seems to be able to blink away some of the challenges she faced a little too easily, as when she recalls being taunted about her natural hair: "I felt a self-consciousness about my hair that had never been there before. (Luckily I was able to get over that.)" Had she explored these rough times more thoroughly, her book would have been even more useful to those readers for whom confidence and friends don't come easily. There's no doubt Maya will continue to change the world for the better, and those who can follow her advice might have a shot at joining forces. (Nonfiction. 10-15)

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April 1, 2016

Gr 4-9-Maya Penn is a 15-year-old entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, designer, and much more. Divided into three sections, this title shares her blueprint for success with an emphasis on self-esteem, ambition, and role models. The tone is fun and conversational as Penn identifies common modes of thinking (for example, the flip-flopper), with suggested activities for those feeling unfocused or overwhelmed (dream boards, idea books). The strength of this title is in the discussion of online safety and awareness of one's digital footprint and in Penn's interviews with other young go-getters at the end of the book. Each interview is prefaced with an introduction to the activist or entrepreneur, detailing relevant accomplishments. VERDICT A valuable title for young adults interested in examples of teen involvement in volunteer movements or looking for personal inspiration.-Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2016
Grades 7-11 Penn is an eco-friendly fashion designer, entrepreneur, artist, animator, coder, writer, philanthropist, and activist. She is also, as she puts it, just your average 15-year-old. She started her remarkable career when she was eight and having previously shared her insights through three TED talks and multiple television appearances (including The View), now offers tips to her middle- and high-school peers on how to realize their own ambitions. Her advice ranges from practical (how to start an online business) to motivational (ignore naysayers) and incorporates anecdotes about other remarkable teens. While no one can dispute Penn's impressive accomplishments, it is clear that she has had considerable support along the way (homeschooling, field trips to, among other places, the Museum of Modern Art, summer classes at the Savannah School of Design). While not all young adults have access to these types of resources, everyone needs a little encouragement now and then, and these accessible, breezy doses of positivity go down nice and easy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)