In Straight from the Heart forty-five students tell a part of their story about when, where and why they lost their way in school. Their honest, and sometimes raw stories are powerful and engaging, both for other students and for adults. Each chapter ends with a series of questions that enable students to reflect and write about the stories they have read. They also provide a launch pad for meaningful conversations about the struggles students may be having in their own lives. Simply using stories like those found in Straight from the Heart can communicate with resounding clarity that a teacher is willing to talk about things more personal. It opens a door to a kind of connection that transcends the teaching of content and offers a pathway to reach students where they need help the most.