Adolescence is a critical time for leadership development. Developing leadership in youth can bolster self-esteem, prevent risky behavior, and serve as a springboard for successful adulthood. Yet many adolescents are never offered the chance to act as leaders, and adult leadership models are often inappropriate for teens, who have unique developmental needs. Youth Leadership is the first book to lay out a leadership model that is grounded in adolescent development theory.

Based on fifteen years of work with teens and the adults in their lives, Youth Leadership identifies three major stages of adolescent leadership development: awareness, interaction, and mastery. The authors reveal how all adolescents have leadership potential. They outline practical tactics for developing leadership skills through experiences at home, school, community, and work, and?most important?show how adults in these settings can have a positive impact.

Josephine van Linden and Carl Fertman provide flexible strategies that can be used with adolescents in any program or setting. They also offer invaluable insights on what organizations and communities, as well as individuals, can do to nurture and sustain leadership development. Extensive case examples, diagrams, and charts clarify recommendations and processes.

From teachers and principals to directors of community programs and religious institutions, anyone interested in developing leadership in young people will find Youth Leadership to be a rich source of information and guidance, an invaluable tool for nurturing the citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

"This book will help adults remove the barriers, partner with youth and, together, unleash the enormous potential that all young people have?to the benefit of out communities." ?Richard J. Sauer, president and CEO, National 4-H Council, Education

"A thorough assemblage of critical ingredients for consideration in planning curriculum and programs to promote leadership skills in youth." ?Rosalind Chivis, school administrator, Philadelphia Public Schools and former mentor for the National Society for Experiential Education leadership development program

"This book challenges secondary educators and community leaders to broaden their perception of leadership and to develop inclusive student leadership programs that cater to the individual strengths of today's youth." ?Robert A. Lewis, Jr., instructional teacher leader, Pittsburgh Public Schools

JOSEPHINE VAN LINDEN is director of the Leadership Development Network at Carlow College in Pittsburgh.

CARL I. FERTMAN is an associate professor of education at the University of Pittsburgh.