Teens Literature Monthly

A Delicious Teens Literature Monthly
Sweet Treat
Recipe Ten Strange
Facts
The Rise of
Teen
Depression

Two Adorable Two Deep Personal Narratives
Dog Stories
Written By Sydnie Sykes

2 Table of Contents

Teen Mental Health 100 Word Stories

Page 3 The Rise of Teen Depression Page 6 A Journey Without Traveling

Page 7 An Everlasting Acquaintance

Literature Photography Food Hacks

Page 10 Odds1out Dog Story Brother’s Graduation Helpful Ice Cream Tips

Page 11 An Eventful Car Ride Page 12 Page 13

Easy Recipe Page 8 Science Fun

Page 14 Lemon Chicken Ramen Ten Strange Facts You
Noodle Soup Didn’t Know Where
True

3 Teen Mental Health

The Rise of Teen Depression

School is an intensely stressful time in the lives of students. They have to worry about
homework, essays, and upcoming tests. Not to mention social groups and what their peers
think of them. When people experience extreme stress or a sudden, immense life change
they many times feel melancholy or helpless. Sometimes, these events affect them so
drastically that they develop depression. Depression is a mental condition characterized by
feelings of severe negativity. People with depression usually report feelings of inadequacy
and an unfathomable amount of sadness. This disorder is the leading cause of disability in
the U.S. for individuals between the ages of 15 and 44. A 2015 study done by the National
Institute of Mental health found that an estimated 3 million or 12.5% of adolescents between
the ages of 12 and 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the
past year. Many people think that depression is “just being sad” but this is not the case;

4 Teen Mental Health

Rise of Teen Depression

not the case; depression increases a teen’s risk for attempting suicide by 12 times. There are
several causes of depression. It runs in families and studies show that people can inherit it from
their ancestors through your genes. Individuals can also develop depression from witnessing
violence, living in poverty, or being harassed. Shorter days and longer hours of darkness in fall
and winter may lead the body to have more melatonin and less serotonin. This imbalance may
cause a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Many other variables
influence someone getting depression.

Every person that suffers from depression is different and how it affects them person to
person is also different. Some common symptoms for depression among teenagers are: Irritable
mood, loss of interest in hobbies and activities, restlessness, frequent fidgeting, difficulty
concentrating, remembering, or making decisions, appetite and/or weight changes, and thoughts

5 Teen Mental Health Page 4

The Rise of Teen Depression

of death or suicide. Coping with depression is difficult but treatment can help. Usually
depression is treated with medications called antidepressants and/or Psychotherapy. The
earlier treatment is started the better it will work. Exercise and confiding in trusted friends or
family are also beneficial. Depression can become a severe mental disorder that changes
people's lives. It makes them feel empty, not good enough, and drains happiness from their
world. Depression also increases the risk of suicide. As tough and consuming depression can
be it is not the end. With treatment and understanding individuals can overcome this potentially
debilitating disorder and live happy productive lives.

6 100 Word Stories

A Journey Without Traveling

Books never disappoint me. They provide me with knowledge and give me
escape into a world where impossible is standard. When times are rough,
escape into a dense jungle or see deep ocean creatures at the bottom of a
trench. No one can damage your soul. You are free to be yourself and let your
mind unfold. A group of papers with worthless words, in bunches made of ink.
Honestly, that’s what some people seem to think. When people judge a book
without listening to what it has to say, don’t they realize that they treat others

the exact same way.

7 100 Word Stories

An Everlasting Acquaintance

I’ve moved three times in the last year. I make many friends each time I get
settled but most of our friendships are severed after I go away. Except for one.
A sister, a true friend that sticks with me through thick and thin. The only one

who calls me regularly to see what’s new. I sometimes visit her far away and
she comes to see me too. Through moving I have realised that making friends
is not hard when times are favorable but keeping them when the waters aren’t

calm is one of the greatest challenges.

8 Science Fun

Ten Strange Facts You Didn’t Know Where True

1. Did you know that you can see autumn leaves from outer space?
2. Human bodies contain about 60,000 miles of blood vessels.
3. Girls have more taste buds than boys. Although women have more women do

indeed have more fungiform papillae, the little red dots on the front surface of
your tongue, and more taste buds that does not mean that they can taste more
than boys can. It all depends on their genes.
http://www.understanding-life.org/ask-a-physiologist/it-true-girls-have-more-
taste-buds-boys-and-if-so-why-josh-age-11
4. Cheetahs can change direction in midair when they are chasing prey.
5. Kangaroos can't hop backwards. They only hop forwards!

9 Science Fun

Ten Strange Facts You Didn’t Know Where True

6. Pluto was named by an 11 year old girl.
7. The winds on the planet Neptune can reach up to 1,243 miles per hour.
8. The Rafflesia Arnoldii holds the world record for the flower with the largest
bloom. It is located in the rainforests of Indonesia. The Rafflesia can grow up to 3
feet across and can weigh up to fifteen pounds.
https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/flower.html
9. “Dust from Africa can travel all the way to Florida.”
10. 55 million years ago palm trees grew on the North Pole.
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/adventure_pass/weird-but-true/

10 Literature

Odds1out Dog Story

A few months ago I watched a youtube video by
the Odds1out called “Top 10 Things That Keep Me
Awake At Night”. One of the things that kept
him up at night were his dogs. It talked about
how the dogs like lying down in the middle of his
bed and always bark at people out his bedroom
window, waking him up. I could relate because
my dogs do the same thing and I’m sure lots of
other people have had the same situation or a
similar one happen to them.

https://youtu.be/RtSSOSJE8oE Top 10 Things
That Keep Me Awake At Night by the Odds1out

11 Literature

An Eventful Car Ride

I have a little dog named Sasha that is Sugar
smart and bossy. She does whatever she
wants when she wants. I also have a big Sasha

dog named Sugar who is extremely
sweet. One day we were in the car and
Sugar stood up to look out the window.
Right at that moment Sasha moved in
between Sugar’s legs. Instead of lying
down Sugar was forced to stay standing

up for the entire ride!

Photography

12 Brother’s Graduation

This is a picture of my brother,
Matthew, and my mom at his
graduation about a year ago. I
love this picture because I am

so proud of my brother for
graduating college. It’s

awesome to have a big brother
that loves me and always looks

out for me like he does.
Thanks for being the best

brother ever!

13 Food Hacks

I Scream. You Scream. We all SCREAM For Ice cream!

Cut the ice cream instead
of using a spoon to get it
out. It’s easier and
doesn’t take as much
force.

Stick a cupcake tin around
the popsicle to prevent
mess and stickiness.

14 Easy Recipes

Lemon Chicken and Ramen Noodle Soup

Ingredients: Preheat a large dutch oven to medium heat. Add olive oil.
Then add leek and celery, cook for a few minutes until
● 1 tablespoon olive oil veggies begin to soften. Add chicken thighs and stock,
● 1 leek, washed, chopped with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Bring the pot to a boil,
● 2 celery stalks, chopped cover with a lid, and then turn heat to a simmer. Cook for
● 1.5 pounds boneless skinless about 15 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink.
Once chicken has cooked, turn heat off, remove chicken,
chicken thighs and set aside to cool. Once the chicken has cooled, cut
● 6 cups chicken stock into bite sized pieces.
● salt and pepper Return the pot to a boil and add ramen noodles. Cook for
about 5 minutes or until al dente. Remove the pot from
● 2 packages ramen noodles the stove and stir in chicken and dill. Serve in bowls and
garnish with lemon halves.
● 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

Lemon halves (for garnish) http://www.climbinggriermountain.com/2013/04/lemon-
chicken-and-ramen-noodle-soup.html