Book excerpt: First published in 1988. Many people absolutely reject suicide under any circumstances. However. most of us can sympathize with the suicidal motives. let's say. of an elderly person afflicted with terminal cancer. But it disturbs the core of our being that a child would find this life so empty of hope that death would be preferable. Teenagers are so full of pain. pleasure. sexuality. energy. curiosity. idealism. bravado. vulnerability. rebellion. and promise! This book comes to grips with the reality of adolescent suicide. In the book are fifteen chapters organized under five major parts.