Growing Up Positive: An HIV/AIDS Awareness Film

This is an important film that should be played in high schools across the country.  Writer/Director Yasmin Shiraz has produced 'Growing Up Positive: An HIV/AIDS Awareness Film' for teens.  The movie is about two women, one black and one white, born HIV positive.  The women share their experiences with school, dating, relationships and sex.  The film also explores how race plays a part with HIV. 

This film is currently screening at colleges and high schools for AIDS Awareness.  Below is a trailer for the film that provides a brief view of the film's content.  If you are interested in viewing the entire film, please contact Yasmin Shiraz at http://www.yasminshiraz.net.  

I have personally been a fan of Shiraz's work with teens.  I find her storytelling is conversational style wrapped with a authentic realism that teens today can relate to.  My favorite book, 'Retaliation' was a favorite of Chicago Public Schools students who participated in the Mayor Daley's Book Club.  The similarities between D.C. and Chicago teens was really eye opening.  Now years later, I'm excited to learn that the sequel to "Accused" has been received well by audiences.   Also, both books were selected as Top 10 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers by the American Library Association.   I always wanted to know what happened to Ahmed and Tashera!   Both books are highly recommended for late middle school and high school students.

 In addition, my female students enjoy Shiraz's motivational books.  "The Blueprint for my Girls" and "The Blueprint for my Girls in Love" are favorites and really 'speak' to their issues, questions and drama. 

Coming Soon:  A very overdue joint interview of author Yasmin Shiraz with blogger, Dr. Vanessa Irvin Morris.  Stay tuned!

  After reading Retaliation and observing the similarities between D.C. and Chicago teens, I knew that the students  would enjoy reading the book.  I was right.  Coordinators from across the city emailed commenting how much their clubs enjoyed the story.

I was really excited to hear from Shiraz and learn that she has cleverly continued the story of Ahmed and Tashera in Accused.   I don't want to give away key elements of the story so I have copied the synopsis from Shiraz's website for you to review.  This book is a recommended read for late middle school students through high school.  Stay tuned for an interview of Yasmin Shiraz in an upcoming blog post. - See more at: http://theaudaciouslibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/04/accused-by-yasmin-shiraz.html#sthash.wm03KX1F.dpuf

  After reading Retaliation and observing the similarities between D.C. and Chicago teens, I knew that the students  would enjoy reading the book.  I was right.  Coordinators from across the city emailed commenting how much their clubs enjoyed the story.

I was really excited to hear from Shiraz and learn that she has cleverly continued the story of Ahmed and Tashera in Accused.   I don't want to give away key elements of the story so I have copied the synopsis from Shiraz's website for you to review.  This book is a recommended read for late middle school students through high school.  Stay tuned for an interview of Yasmin Shiraz in an upcoming blog post. - See more at: http://theaudaciouslibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/04/accused-by-yasmin-shiraz.html#sthash.wm03KX1F.dpuf

  After reading Retaliation and observing the similarities between D.C. and Chicago teens, I knew that the students  would enjoy reading the book.  I was right.  Coordinators from across the city emailed commenting how much their clubs enjoyed the story.

I was really excited to hear from Shiraz and learn that she has cleverly continued the story of Ahmed and Tashera in Accused.   I don't want to give away key elements of the story so I have copied the synopsis from Shiraz's website for you to review.  This book is a recommended read for late middle school students through high school.  Stay tuned for an interview of Yasmin Shiraz in an upcoming blog post. - See more at: http://theaudaciouslibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/04/accused-by-yasmin-shiraz.html#sthash.wm03KX1F.dpufstudents enjoy her motivational books, 'The Blue Print for my Girls and The Blue Print for my Girls in Love.'