The point of my work is to make it clear that all youth can make 'big miracles' happen.

We're used to the characteristics of social media - participation, connection, instant gratification - and when school doesn't offer the same, it's easy to tune out.

Hoping to instill my love of learning in other children, I taught my first class at a local elementary school the year my first book, 'Flying Fingers,' debuted; since then, I have spoken at hundreds of schools, classrooms and conferences around the world.

The unsaid message of that endless rack of juniors' pushup bras? No matter what size you are, it still isn't good enough.

With writing, I can express myself, really, and share my ideas and just let my thoughts flow out.

By creating so many illusory images of physical perfection, whether on store aisles or storefronts ads, magazine covers or TV show, we speak more to the profit margins of companies than the self-esteem of today's girls.

As children, we have a tenuous idea of love; we often try to quantify it with how much we feel seen and heard.