Everyone in life experiences a type of struggle. Some of these efforts are life changing, while others are a mere tiny dot of color in the painting of our lives. Writing and reading, both fiction and non-fiction, allow us to not only express our thoughts, but to work through some of our problems, learning and growing from them. Middle school is a time of our lives filled with struggle. Adjusting to changing classes, more freedom and multiple teachers, along with learning to be yourself and finding the right crowd can be difficult. The authors of this book are navigating these experiences right now. These talented and creative individuals have something important to say and are using their storytelling abilities to do just that. #TheStruggleIsReal Each of the stories contained in this book deal with some form of struggle. From fantasy and realistic fiction to adventure and sci-fi, these young authors use their love of writing and language arts to create an eclectic collection of tales of toil that can be enjoyed individually or collectively.