Positive, written by Paige Rawl, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Positive is the inspiring true story of Paige Rawl, an HIV-positive teen who becomes an activist for the HIV community and a champion against bullying. Rawl tells her story directly and specifically. She explains her first understanding of her HIV-positive status and the rigid medication regimen necessary to bolster her immune system. She reveals how her classmates and peers first became aware of her medical condition and the subsequent bullying that followed. She speaks with honest and composure about the decision to sue her former school district and the stress that the event put on her family.

 Straight Talk for Librarians: Rawl manages to find a perfect balance between sounding like a spokeswoman and sounding like a normal teenager. She has experienced tremendous adversity in her young life, but she never fails to include the small details that make her story authentic - clothing choices, song lyrics, happy moments with true friends. Her story translates into a meaningful message of hope for anyone struggling through difficulty or feeling alone, which makes it the perfect addition to a middle school or high school library collection. The story may connect to curriculum in health, sociology, or psychology courses, but is more likely to be used as an example in an anti-bullying program or as an excellent choice for nonfiction reading. There is no graphic or objectionable content, making this book appropriate for students as young as middle school. Good memoirs written by teenagers are hard to come by, and representation of people who are HIV-positive is even more difficult to find. A must purchase.