Shannon Litz/Nevada Appeal News Service Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School teacher Miki Trujillo talks to ninth-grader Josh Lee about his project in health class last month. Students had to demonstrate the effects of different drugs.
One Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School teacher doesn't care much for the stereotype of teenagers as confused, angst-ridden, helpless beings.
"Everyone says being a teen is so hard these days with everything they face, but I have faith that teens can make the right choices," said Miki Trujillo.
The 40-year-old veteran health teacher has had enough experience with teenagers to write two books, and she just published her third, "Chicken Soup for the Soul presents Teens Talkin' Faith."
"I want kids that are feeling a sense of hopelessness to know that hope is found in God, regardless of their external circumstances," she said. "God is always there, and no one should ever feel alone."
Trujillo's first book, "Why Can't We Talk?" published in 2000, focused on communication between teens and parents. The book received national attention; Trujillo appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
"The first book was born in the classroom," said Trujillo. "I asked my students to consider the sensitive issues they deal with in life and have difficulty discussing with their parents. What I received from these kids was so powerful that I felt very convinced I must do something with it."
A year later, Trujillo published her second book, "Teens Talkin' Faith: A Christian Perspective." She said the book served as a precursor to her latest.
"'Chicken Soup for the Soul' picked up 'Teens Talkin' Faith,'" she said. "The new book is an expanded version. In comparison to the original "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul," this book includes interactive 'T Talks' at the end of each chapter for the reader."
A Catholic, Trujillo drew on her Christian faith for the project. The book is a collection of stories from teenagers across the world: a young girl burned beyond recognition in a car accident, a boy coping with being abandoned by his mother, kids of all ages doing drugs, getting in trouble with the law and struggling to keep faith in the face of darkness.
"The book comes from a Christian perspective, but it is nondenominational," said Trujillo. "It's an open-hearted book. I didn't want to alienate anyone or be judgmental. I want kids to open up the book, even if they don't believe in God."
Trujillo devoted a whole chapter to doubting God. She said it's easy for anyone who experiences loss or tragedy to become angry with God. Trujillo's own sister died when she was 10 years old, but she said it was continued faith that ultimately united her family.
"What I have found is that kids who make healthier decisions have two things in their life: open lines of communication with their parents, and some foundation of faith," Trujillo said. "Hopefully this book can be a tool kids use to discover or renew their faith."
Trujillo said a portion of her book sales will go to the Partnership of Community Resources, a nonprofit substance abuse prevention organization based in Gardnerville.
"They are a great organization, and I truly believe in the service they offer to our community," she said.
Trujillo will be signing copies of her book 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Classical Glass, 1453 Highway 395 in Gardnerville. She will also be signing books 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Borders Books in Reno.