Mandisa's Footprints: A Young Girl's Journal

Mandisa is an ordinary teen living in the projects of New York City, dealing with the same challenges all kids have to navigate—crushes, school, and peer pressure. She’s nervous about testing for her driver’s permit and not sure why the popular kids have invited her to a sleepover. She also has to deal with Toni, the bully who lives in her apartment complex.

Mandisa records these and other challenges in her journal. Each of her short stories deals with a particular topic, after which she invites readers to share their own experiences and write their own stories and thoughts in the blank space provided.

The stories in Mandisa’s Footprints range from serious to lighthearted, all written in Mandisa’s own friendly, lively words. The goal is simple—to entertain while giving young readers a chance to develop their own writing style and explore their feelings. Journaling is a deeper, more intimate activity than composing tweets or updating social media statuses, helping Mandisa—and the reader—make sense of a complex, ever-changing world.

Come explore Mandisa’s life. She’s willing to share her experiences if you’re willing to share yours.