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ISBN:[COMING SOON]

How to Read This Book

This book is part story, part podcast, part group chat, part advice column. You will see:

o Chapter scenes: short bits of what Tee, Justin, or Olivia is living through.

o Podcast letters: real-feeling notes from classmates sent to the show.

o Peer responses: a friend's reply written by youth in Newark, NJ and Gary, IN.

o Real Talk Takeaway boxes: the one thing you can carry into the hallway tomorrow.

o Try This prompts: small things to write, draw, or notice this week.

o Group chat snippets: how Tee, Justin, and Olivia actually talk to each other.

o Reflection questions: at the end of each chapter, you'll find a few questions to think about on your own or talk through with a group. You can write your answers in a journal, discuss them in class, or just let them sit in your head for a while. There are no wrong answers. The point is to notice what comes up for you.

A note about the hard stuff

Some letters in this book talk about people being mean, controlling, or unsafe. If anything in here feels like your real life, please talk to a trusted adult a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, counselor, librarian, or anyone you trust.

You do not have to handle a scary or unsafe relationship alone. Real help is real love.

Meet the Real Talk Crew

Tee

Taneka but call her Tee. Honor roll, cheer captain in training, debate team. Loves a clipboard and a plan. Warm, ambitious, sometimes too much in her head. Her dream is to get into Greenway Magnet on the other side of the city.

Justin

Justin is funny, honest, and a little guarded. He loves gaming and beats. He watches his little brother Marcus after school so his mom can pick up shifts. He wants to retire his mom one day. He keeps the crew real.

Olivia

Olivia is from Ecuador and has been in the U.S. since fifth grade. She draws everywhere notebooks, napkins, the inside of her sneakers. She’s warm, free, and quick to laugh. Sometimes a phrase slides out in Spanish (don’t worry, she translates).

The Idea That Wouldn't Leave Me Alone

narrated by Tee

Okay, real talk. The idea for the podcast did not come from me. It came from a flyer.

A flyer. Taped crooked to the bulletin board outside the main office. The kind of flyer most kids walk past while typing in their phones. But I saw it. I always see them.

The flyer said: NATIONAL STUDENT PODCAST CONTEST. TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR GRAND PRIZE. SHOW US A SHOW. The letters were all caps, like the flyer was already yelling at me.

Ten thousand dollars. Split three ways, that is more than three thousand each. Three thousand dollars could buy a laptop that does not freeze when I try to open more than two tabs. It could buy Olivia real art supplies. It could give Justin a month where he does not have to pick up grocery store hours after watching his brother. I started doing the math in the hallway like a weirdo.

By third period I had a name in my notebook: Real Talk Podcast. Honest. Short. Eighth graders saying the things eighth graders never get to say.

— group chat: REAL TALK CREW —

Tee: okay don’t laugh

Tee: i think we should enter a podcast contest

Justin: lol who is we

Tee: you me olivia. 10K split 3 ways.

Olivia: wait wait wait. dime más. tell me more � Justin: three thousand each? i’m listening.

I knew this would only work if the show was about something we actually cared about. Not “tips for studying.” Not “how to be popular.” Something real.

I kept thinking about Kayla. My old best friend. We used to walk to school together every single day in fifth grade. She joined volleyball last year and now she leaves me on read for three days at a time. In the hallway her eyes slide over me like I’m a locker.

I wasn’t the only one. Everywhere I looked, kids were dealing with something messy and pretending they weren’t. Friend groups breaking. People dating people they were scared of. Brothers and sisters being mean in front of company. So much of it nobody talked about out loud.

So we wouldn’t just talk. We would let our classmates write in. Letters, anonymous, sent to a podcast email. Letters about the stuff that actually hurts. And we would respond, three of us, in three different voices.

Mom signed the permission form at 9:47 p.m. with a tired half-smile. She said, “Just don’t blow up at school.”

I laughed. I should not have laughed.

Real Talk Takeaway

A good idea doesn’t have to be loud or fancy. Sometimes it’s just a name in a notebook. If something hurts that nobody is talking about, that is probably a thing worth saying out loud, with care.

Try This This Week

Open a notes app. Write down one thing you wish someone would say out loud at your school. You don’t have to share it. Just notice that you wrote it.

Chapter 1 Reflection Questions

1) Tee says she always notices flyers that other kids walk past. What is something you notice that most people around you seem to miss?

2) The podcast idea came from pain Tee thinking about Kayla leaving her on read. Have you ever turned something that hurt into something creative or useful? What did that feel like?

3) Tee describes seeing kids "dealing with something messy and pretending they weren't." Why do you think people pretend everything is fine even when it isn't?

4) Your Turn: Write down one thing you wish someone would say out loud at your school. You don't have to share it; just notice that it matters enough to write.

Why I Said Yes

narrated by Justin

I’m going to be honest. When Tee said “podcast,” I almost said no.

It’s not that I don’t talk. I talk. I just don’t love hearing my own voice played back at me. There is something weird about how you sound from the inside compared to outside.

But here is the math. Three thousand dollars. My mom works two jobs. She’s tired in a way I don’t know how to describe except that even her smile looks tired. If I won three thousand dollars, that’s legit groceries. That’s no “we’ll figure it out” for at least a few months.

And my little brother Marcus is six and obsessed with everything I do. If big brother is on a podcast, then in his world, big brother is famous. That’s worth something too.

So I said yes. I also said I would only do it if we kept it real. No fake voice. No fake hosts. If I think a letter sounds like nonsense, I get to say it sounds like nonsense. With respect, but for real.

Tee said, “Justin, that is literally the whole point.”

Olivia drew a little microphone in the corner of my math notebook and added wings on it. She labeled it “Mariposa Mic.” Mariposa means butterfly. She doesn’t know yet, but I’m keeping that notebook forever.

— group chat: REAL TALK CREW —

Justin: okay i’m in. but i get to say what i think.

Tee: YES that is literally the format

Olivia: i can do the cover art!!!! con todo!!!

Justin: translation pls

Olivia: “with everything.” aka all my love.

The first letter came in a week later. The subject line said “Invisible in the Hallway.” I opened it on my phone while on the bus, and I almost missed my stop.

It wasn’t a stranger writing in. It was someone walking through the same hallway as me. They didn’t sign their name. They didn’t have to.

I read it twice. Then I read it again. The second time, my chest got tight. I don’t know what it is about reading something someone wrote in their own voice. It’s not like a news story. It’s like a person.

I wrote back in my head before I even got home. I was already a host, and we hadn’t even recorded yet.

Dear Real Talk Podcast,

Me and Kayla have been best friends since fifth grade. We used to walk to school together, share everything, and I honestly thought we’d be close forever. But then she joined the volleyball team this year and everything changed.

Now she only hangs out with her teammates. She leaves me on read for days I’m talking three or four days sometimes and when I see her in the hallway, she barely even looks at me. It’s like I’m invisible.

I don’t want to come off clingy because I know she has a whole new thing going on. But I miss her, and I don’t understand what I did wrong. We never even had a fight.

Is it okay to tell her I feel left behind, or will that just push her further away? How do I set a boundary without losing a friend?

Invisible in the Hallway

Peer Responses from Middle & High School Students:

Hi Invisible. First, I have to tell you, I read your letter twice because the first time my eyes got watery. I feel you. I really do. Kayla joining volleyball isn’t the problem. The problem is she stopped checking in. Those are two different things. You are not clingy for missing your person. Try saying something simple, like: “Hey, I miss you. Can we plan one thing, just us, this month?” If she still acts like you’re invisible after that, that tells you something. And it is not about who YOU are. You are not a locker. You are not the hallway. You are the whole entire hallway’s favorite person, somewhere. Keep going.

I resonate deeply with the reality of a brewing separation. With that being said, the friendship and the closeness is not over as it is simply just waning. Your friend Kayla is not leaving you. Sometimes certain people just fade due to differing journeys. The two of you are starting to develop into different people for this time due to the different situations going on. Just as you may believe that it’s looking bad, she may see it the exact same. A drift hurts both ends, but it’s up to both of you to put in the effort to repair them. Ultimately, I believe that you should take a step back and allow her to ease back into the relationship if she wants to. If you don’t think that helps then have a talk about it to really understand why there is this strong hole in your relationship. From there, a fix is possible.

Jalil,TeenMentalHealthAmbassador(Newark,NJ)

Dear Invisible in the Hallway,

That sounds really hard. Going from being super close with someone to barely being acknowledged hurts especially when you don’t even know what changed. Anyone in your position would feel confused and left out.

It doesn’t sound like you did anything wrong. Sometimes people get caught up in new activities or friend groups and don’t realize how their behavior is affecting others. That doesn’t make it okay that she’s ignoring you though.

It’s okay to say something to her as long as you keep it simple and honest. Maybe something like, “Hey, I feel like we haven’t talked much lately and I kind of miss hanging out.” You’re not accusing her you’re just telling the truth about how you feel. If she cares about the

Real Talk Crew

friendship, she’ll at least try to meet you halfway and she would understand how much that hurt you.

At the same time, don’t feel like you have to keep chasing her if she keeps brushing you off. You deserve friends who actually notice you and want to spend time with you. It might not feel like it right now, but there are people out there who would appreciate you the way you deserve.

It’s okay to miss her and still start opening yourself up to other friendships too. You don’t have to replace her you’re just making space for people who show up for you.

You’re not invisible, even if it feels that way right now.

Emerline,TeenMentalHealthAmbassador(Newark,NJ)

Dear invisible in the hallway,

I understand how you are feeling, and speaking from experience it is not fun feeling that way. But let me tell you something: you aren’t a clingy friend so do not overthink it. Kayla just needs to become a better friend to you. Also, you should communicate your feelings to Kayla so that she understands what you’re feeling, and if she doesn’t want to understand, you should join a club and make new friendships. It may be hard, but you got this queen!

—Josephine,TeenMentalHealthAmbassador(Newark,NJ)

Dear “Invisible in the Hallway,”

First, I just want to say you’re not invisible.

The way you care about your friendship and notice these changes shows how real and meaningful your connection with Kayla is.

It honestly sounds really painful to feel left behind like that, especially when nothing “bad” even happened. Friendships can change when people try new things, like joining a team, but that doesn’t make your feelings any less important. You didn’t do anything wrong.

It’s okay to miss her. It’s okay to feel hurt. And it’s definitely okay to tell her how you feel. You don’t have to come off as clingy to be honest. You could say something simple like, “Hey, I miss hanging out with you. I know you’ve been busy, but I feel a little left out sometimes.”

(That’s not blaming her. It’s just telling the truth.)

Also, remember this: one person growing in a different direction doesn’t mean you stop mattering. It might just mean your life is making space for new people and friendships too.

You deserve friends who notice you, talk to you, and make you feel seen.

No matter what happens with Kayla, you won’t stay invisible. Someone will see you and choose you fully.�

Lyric,TeenMentalHealthAmbassador(Newark,NJ)

Grover Cleveland Student Response by

Maki Beck

Dear Invisible in the Hallway,

You can be a better friend by telling Kayla how you feel. You can say, “I feel like you’re leaving me,” and give her a chance to understand what is hurting you.

MakiBeckdrewafriendsaying,“Ifeellikeyou’releavingme,”andtheotherfriendanswering,

Grover Cleveland Student Response by Zylon Bennett

Dear Invisible in the Hallway,

You can tell her how you feel. If she says yes and wants to talk, then maybe you’ve got your friend back. If she does not, you still told the truth.

Zylon Bennett drew two friends saying, “I miss you” and “I miss you too.”

South

17th St. Student Response by Navaeh Robinson

Hey Invisible in the Hallway,

It seems like your friendship is changing, and that is okay. A big friendship can hurt when you have to let go, especially when you used to spend a lo

If you want closure, you could try to talk to Kayla one last time. But your mental health matters too. If the friendship is not good for you anymore, it is okay to find a person who does make you feel seen.

Real Talk Takeaway

A boundary is a line you draw to keep YOU safe. It can be as small as: “I need you to text me back this week.”

You can miss someone and still be allowed to ask for what you need.

Chapter 2 Reflection Questions

1) Justin says he talks; he just doesn't love hearing his own voice played back. Is there a version of yourself that feels different "from the inside" than how others see you “on the outside”? Why do you think these two versions exist?

2) Justin's big motivation is his mom and his brother Marcus. Who or what motivates you when something feels hard or scary?

3) Justin's condition for joining was "I get to say what I think." What conditions, if any, would you set before joining something new like a group, a project, a relationship?

4) Your Turn: Think of one person in your life whose sacrifice you rarely say anything about. Write one sentence acknowledging what they do. You don't have to send it to them (unless you want to).

Mariposa Mic

narrated by Olivia

My friends, this is Olivia. The cover art was my job, obvio. Obvio means obvious in Spanish. Sometimes the Spanish word just shows up before the English one, and I let it.

I drew a microphone with butterfly wings. I drew it three times before I liked it. The first one had wings that looked like scary moths. The second one had a mouth, which was strange. The third one was perfect. Light, soft, like a tiny hopeful thing.

When I came to this city in fifth grade, I barely spoke English. People say it like it’s a small thing. It is not a small thing. I was scared every day. I didn’t understand jokes. Some kids laughed at the way I said certain words. I learned slang from a girl named Mia. She sat with me at lunch like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I think about Mia a lot. She is the reason I know what a real friend looks like. She is the reason I said yes to Real Talk Podcast.

Because Mia showed me: when you are new and scared, one person sitting next to you changes the whole school.

Dear Real Talk Podcast,

I used to be part of a group of four friends. We did everything together: lunch, weekends, everything. But lately I feel like a ghost that nobody can see anymore.

They have a group chat I’m not in. I know because they’ll all laugh at something on their phones at the same time and nobody shows me. They make plans in front of me without inviting me, and when I walk up, they get quiet or change the subject.

I keep trying to be nice. I compliment them, I show up, I act like nothing’s wrong. But it doesn’t seem to matter.

How do I know when to keep trying to fix a friendship and when to let it go?

The Ghost at the Lunch Table

Peer Responses from Middle & High School Students:

Hey Ghost. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you are not a ghost. You are a whole person sitting next to people who are acting like they can’t see you. That is on them, not you. I think the answer is: you keep trying until it costs you yourself. If trying is making you feel small, that is the line. Try one honest sentence with one of them: “Hey, can I ask if something happened? I’ve felt out of the group lately.” If they say no, you’ll learn something. If they say nothing, you’ll also learn something. Either way you get an answer that isn’t in your head anymore.

Grover Cleveland Student Response by Samuel Sawacha

Dear Ghost at the Lunch Table,

What I truly believe you should do is communicate your feelings and put yourself near the people you feel most comfortable with, instead of trying to fit in with a group that makes you feel invisible.

Grover Cleveland Student Response by Jahsyn Davis

Dear Ghost at the Lunch Table,

Try doing things together with people who treat you better. A real friend should include you, teach you things, learn from you, and make you feel like you belong.

Character drawing by Jahsyn Davis.

Real Talk Crew

South 17th St.

Hi Ghost,

My advice to you is that maybe you are better off without friends who make you feel bad. I know it can hurt when Try to build a better mindset when things get tough. Tell yourself how gr the lunch table don

South 17th St.

Ghost, don’t try to fix something that you haven’t done wrong. I had the same situation too, so if they keep ignoring you, just let it go. It is not the end of the world.

Go make new friends who really listen, care, and invite you, even if you do not want to go at first. P.S. Don’t push yourself past your limit. Be yourself.

Assiya drew a before-and-after friendship image with a “true friendship” heart.

Try This This Week

Draw your lunch table. Put yourself in the middle. Draw arrows showing who actually sees you. You don’t have to show this drawing to anyone. Just notice.

Tee said we should record one whole episode before submitting anything to the contest. Justin said we should do two, because the first one was going to be bad. I said three, because patterns of three are how the universe works. Justin rolled his eyes at me. I drew a butterfly on his hand while he wasn’t looking.

In my head I called it: Real Talk Podcast, Episode 1. Real letters. Real us.

Chapter 3 Reflection Questions

1) Olivia says learning a new language “is not a small thing.” Have you ever felt like a fish out of water somewhere (for example: a new school, a new group, a new situation)? What made it harder or easier?

2) Olivia credits Mia for showing her "what a real friend looks like." Describe a time someone showed up for you in a way you didn't expect. What did they do?

3) The Ghost at the Lunch Table letter is about being quietly pushed out of a friend group. What do you think is the difference between drifting apart naturally and being deliberately excluded?

4) Your Turn: Think of someone in your life or school who might feel invisible right now. What is one small, specific thing you could do this week to make them feel seen?

Day One in the Closet

Studio

narrated by Tee

Our studio was a closet. Not a metaphor. A literal closet. Mr. Quintero teaches social studies and he let us use the supply closet behind his room during lunch as long as we did not knock anything over.

It smelled like old printer paper and cleaning spray. There was one folding chair. There was one borrowed microphone with a foam cover that looked like a tiny black cloud. There were three of us and one chair, so two of us sat on stacks of textbooks. That was the first sign that this would be a humbling experience.

Justin tested the mic. “Real Talk Podcast, episode one, take one.” His voice came back like he was inside a metal pipe.

Olivia laughed so hard the mic had to be moved. She apologized in three languages.

I had a clipboard. Obviously. I had us set up to read three letters per episode and respond in two segments each. I had a timer. I had a checklist. Justin looked at the clipboard like it was a person who owed him money.

— group chat: REAL TALK CREW —

Justin: tee i love u but the clipboard is a lot

Tee: the clipboard stays.

Olivia: ✨the clipboard is part of the show now ✨

THANK YOU!

Thank you to our many young people in Newark, NJ, and Gary, IN, who helped bring this book and the Real Talk website to life through your ideas, honesty, creativity, and care. Your words helped shape the letters, responses, reflection questions, artwork, and resources in this project. This book exists because you were brave enough to tell the truth and generous enough to use your voices to help other students.

Grover Cleveland Elementary School Students (Newark, NJ)

Thank you to our Grover Cleveland Elementary School students for sharing your thoughts, questions, and real-life wisdom with us. Your voices helped us better understand what middle school students are feeling, facing, and learning as they prepare for high school. We are so grateful for the honesty, creativity, and heart you brought to this project.

Dallasia Alexander

Winnie Ayeten

Mason Barnett

Maki Beck

Zylon Bennett

Vasidiki Camara

Ana Castillo

Jahsyn Davis

Tamia Dipasalegne

Anssou Dore

Aiden Eras

Cecilia Fernandez

Tiyanna Files

Lassana Fofana

Destiny Furgess

Gabriel Garcia

Quamel Green

Jermaih Hall

Aayrin Holmes

Ah’zire Jenkins

Jonathan Jordan

Chemean Lang

Je'Nya Lowery

Jaden Loyal

Mai Lah Loyal-Murphy

Nevaeh Lucas Wynn

Serenity Nieves

Felicitas Odoemene

Jaden Parchment

Anaiyah Pressley

Taurisa Redding

Joel Rivas

Chuessy Saintime

Kyle Santos Olivo

Samuel Sawacha

Nurah Shakir

Ja'sier Terrell

Cherifa Tidjani

South 17th Street Elementary School Students (Newark, N)

Thank you to our South 17th Street Elementary School girls for contributing your ideas, reflections, and powerful perspectives. Your voices helped make this book more honest, student-centered, and meaningful for the readers who will come after you. We appreciate the courage, imagination, and care you brought to this work.

Londyn Abrams-Davis

Assiya Ameziane

Shavone Anthony

Taiyana Blue-Owens

Nakyah Boggs

Angie Bowman

Nataly Cerenegas

LeAsia Chandler

Ashley Coca

Alyssa Coleman

Kimberly Correa

Jomeily Curbelo Robles

Angeleah Darden

Naziyah Green

Anastasia Green-Lawrence

Paris Griffiths

Adia Hawkins

Treazur Hawkins

Izaevonia House

Christina Jeudy

Alanah Johnson

Trinity Jones

Stephanie Kromah

Sky Leonard

Toliya Lowe

Amy Mayorga Fierro

Melody Mendoza

Janet Oluwafemi

Kamila Osario

Nashley Placencia

Damaris Quinatoa

Evelyn Quinatoa

Nayeli Reyes Vasquez

Navaeh Robinson

Makaila Roe

Amadee Smith

Malaysia Spence

Avamarie Stevens

Nanga Tamukong

Yvette Travis

Johanna Valenzuela

Jalisa Warren

Karizza Weaver

Zyneira Weaver

Mariyah Williams

Bridgett Wright

Fathiat Yussuff

Newark, NJ Teen Mental Health Ambassadors

Thank you to our Newark Teen Mental Health Ambassadors for helping us think deeply about friendship, boundaries, conflict, support, and healing. Your responses helped make the Real Talk conversations feel honest, relevant, and rooted in what young people actually experience. You reminded us that teens are not just the audience for this work. You are leaders in it.

Fawaz Agbaje

Jalil Akinyele

Josephine Aryeh

Madison Ballobi

Sinclair Bangurah

Milo Bryant-Avila

Lutfillah Chambas

Shyann Clarke

Audrey Esteve

Nathanian Fasasi

Makayla King

Nevaeh Maldonado

Azyiah Mccray

Emerline Romeus

Lyric Scott

Tyziir Stockton

Gary, IN Teen Mental Health Ambassadors

Thank you to our Gary Teen Mental Health Ambassadors for bringing your insight, honesty, and leadership to this project. Your reflections helped strengthen the book’s messages about healthy relationships, mental health, and the transition to high school. We are grateful for the way you used your voices to support students you may never meet, but who will feel seen because of you.

Madisyn Cole

Jordyn Davis

Maliyah Dennie

Korryne Fowler

Alexis Kemp

Amaris Malden

Butterfly Dreamz Staff

Emily Matos

Abby Stokes

Nyairah Webster

Thank you to the Butterfly Dreamz staff for pouring your time, talent, energy, and love into this project from beginning to end. You helped create the space where young people could share honestly, lead creatively, and turn their ideas into something real. This book and website are a reflection of your commitment to youth voice, healing, leadership, and community.

Joy Lindsay

Dominique Henderson

Leah Sampson

Ashanti Castleberry

Michaela Dennie

Kayla Davis

Phoenyx Ojo

Yaquana Williams

Butterfly Dreamz Board of Directors

Elijah Head

Jontae Walters

Hassane Diarrassouba

Larry Jones

Thank you to the Butterfly Dreamz Board of Directors for believing in the power of young people and supporting the vision behind this project. Your leadership, guidance, and commitment help make it possible for Butterfly Dreamz to create programs where youth can be heard, valued, and equipped to lead. We are grateful for the foundation you help build and protect.

Heather Lindsay

Tiffany Davis, Esq.

Angela Hooper-Menifield

Ashley Davis

Dr. Lynne Mock

Ameenah Poole

Victoria Moultrie

Roger J. Salter

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for investing in young people, youth mental health, and community-centered storytelling. Your support helped make this book and the Real Talk website possible, creating resources that students can use as they navigate relationships, school transitions, and growing up. Because of your generosity, this project can reach more young people with messages of care, courage, and support.

City of Gary, IN Health Department

Grantmakers for Girls of Color

George A. Ohl, Jr. Trust

Impact100 Essex

Legacy Foundation

PLW Partners, LLC

Turrell Fund