Awakened Survival-Life is Tough, but So Am I: Raised In Highland Court Projects & On the Streets Of Little Rock, Arkansas - Paperback

by Shalonda Michelle Somoē (Author)

Some stories are told to remember the past.
Others are told so the next generation can survive it.

In this powerful and reflective memoir, a middle school drama teacher shares the memories that shaped her life-growing up in a neighborhood where resilience was learned early, where kitchens became sanctuaries, and where strength was often built from very little.

Through vivid storytelling, poetic reflections, and spoken-word-style passages, this book explores childhood, family, survival, and identity. Readers step into a world where laughter and hardship lived side by side-where a mother's kitchen could feed a community, heal wounds, and teach lessons that lasted long after the plates were cleared.

But life also brings moments that shake everything: addiction, loss, violence, and the quiet grief that arrives when the people we love begin to fade. In the midst of those struggles, the author discovers the power of memory, education, and storytelling as tools for survival and transformation.

As a middle school drama teacher, the author began sharing parts of her story with her students and saw something unexpected-recognition, reflection, and change. That experience inspired her to shape this memoir into a book that speaks to both adults and younger readers.

This book is more than a memoir; it is also a reflection and a literary learning tool.

Throughout the story, readers encounter examples of spoken word, poetic storytelling, imagery, and reflection. In the back of the book, readers will find interactive worksheets and writing prompts designed to help both students and adults explore figurative language, sentence structure, and personal reflection.

Perfect for adult readers, educators, and middle school students alike, this book is a testament to survival, transformation, and the quiet power of a dream held on to-one kitchen, one memory, one step at a time.