An empowering collection written by Jenna Ortega, the award-winning actress starring in the hit Netflix series WEDNESDAY. These deeply personal stories and quotes are accompanied by beautiful illustrations that explore Jenna's struggles with depression, experiences falling in—and out of—love, the loss of close family members, and growing up Latina in Hollywood. You are not alone. We are in this together. This collection from actress Jenna Ortega is filled with her own original quotes and affirmations that will inspire you to lean into faith and love and family during life's most difficult, and most joyous, moments.     Jenna has had to balance her acting career, her private life, and public expectations from a young age, and she’s learned that the only way to get through it all is to wake up every morning and affirm her commitment to herself, her faith, her mental health, and her family. In this honest and moving debut, she shares openly and intimately what it means to live this life of self-appreciation. Jenna's vulnerability in her writing will remind readers that there’s power within us all and we are not alone in our struggles . Gr 7 Up-Eighteen-year-old Latina actress Ortega provides a refreshing dose of teen optimism with the life lessons she has learned. It's clear that her family is her main support. Although Ortega points out that one's family of choice is just as important as one's family by blood, her stories consistently illustrate how a loving family of any kind can be crucial to a developing teen. Her tales of crushes, faith, true friends, and believing in oneself are universal. Many teens may not be able to relate to being passed over for a movie role; however, they will be able to relate to the actions she took to overcome that devastation. Those who have read Lara Honos-Webb's Six Super Skills for Executive Functioning will see some similarities when it comes to seeking help for depression. Ortega talks about not wanting to seek help because she thought she was being too dramatic, or that her problems seemed minuscule compared to the struggles of others. After seeking help, she realized that problems are personal and not to be compared to others. With the growing rate of depressed and suicidal teens in today's society, this message is important and necessary. There are many other applicable life lessons explored in the text, such as self-confidence, how to manage stress, and making time and space for one's faith. Ortega exudes unexpected but welcome wisdom. The short sections and fast pace makes this an effortless read. Ortega does not talk down to her readers; she only wants to help. VERDICT Recommended for any library that caters to tweens and teens. Readers will enjoy Ortega's down-to-earth advice and optimism.-Jeni Tahaney, Summit H.S., Manfield, TXα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "An effortless read ... Readers will enjoy Ortega’s ­down-to-earth advice and optimism. " — School Library Journal “ Earnest and vulnerable .” — Kirkus Reviews JENNA ORTEGA is the award-winning actress currently starring in the hit Netflix series WEDNESDAY. Jenna's rise to stardom began in 2014 when she was cast as Young Jane in the Golden Globe-nominated series Jane the Virgin. She also played the lead in Disney Channel's Stuck in the Middle, starred in season two of Netflix's You, and voices one of the main characters on Disney Junior's animated series Elena of Avalor. Her upcoming films include Jennifer Garner's Yes Day, Netflix's The Babysitter: Killer Queen, and Songbird. Jenna is the new face of Neutrogena, and she also partners with charitable organizations such as the National Bullying Prevention Center, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and the Geena Davis Institute. Everything I do is driven by love.  The way I interact with the world comes from a place of love and light. I’ve learned not to criticize, get caught up in negative energy, or speak badly about others. On subjects I’m passionate about and involved in, I speak out in a positive way to bring people together to discuss important issues without hatred. And when I feel less informed about a topic, I make sure to educate myself.  When I’m working, I try to bring love and positivity to the set with me every day. I love my craft, and I’m so grateful that I get to follow my passion. I let that love pour out in small ways and big ways: doing nice, thoughtful things for the people I’m working with goes a long way. Early mornings, late nights, and long days are often challenging, but they never get the best of me. I always remember how grateful I am just to be working. It’s all a privilege. Prioritize kindness.  A costar once pointed out to me that every time I interact with someone new on set, I pay them a compliment. At first, I worried it meant I was being a suck-up. But I realized that when I was in a very dark place in my life and some