In the mid 1990s the first version of Letter 2 a Teen was published under the title On the Wings of an Eagle - a young person's guide to successful living, which also included a booklet of Tasks related to the different topics covered. This book became the resource book for young people (Years 9 - 12) attending multicultural Life Skills seminars and workshops in Southern Africa. Approximately 5,000 copies of the book were distributed to students from a variety of socio-economic areas. In 1999 approximately 1000 Year 11 and 12 New Zealand students participated in similar workshops and received a copy of the book at the end of each seminar. A few months after the seminars, students completed an evaluation sheet about the book. Their comments inspired the rewrite and, after further reviews etc. by a variety of people, Letter 2 a Teen was published.

A selection of the students' comments follows:

"Where goals are concerned, I have learnt to set them and reach them and to appreciate how important they are."

"I have often turned back to the book. It has helped me and a lot of friends that I gave it to read."

"I have changed positively in that I now work at a company as a result of a task we did on how to apply for a job. I have learnt to express my weaknesses as well as my strengths."

"I have turned back to the book many times and, honestly, it has helped me a lot in that I have come to accept myself for who I am and am no more intimidated by friends."

"I gave the book to one of my friends and it has helped him tremendously in that he has developed a positive self-image. He really had a low self-esteem, but this book has helped him."

"I immediately read the book after the symposium and occasionally refer to it for answers or help."

"My outlook on life has been more positive. My goals have been more realistic and attainable. My positive strengths have become more than my weaker ones. I have become self-confident and better able to deal with people and peers."

"I have turned back regularly to the book and it did help. I gave it to some friends to read and they said it was a great book and that they would start setting goals; having a positive outlook on life."

"By reading the book I realised that nobody is a loser. When doing something a person shouldn't quit. Everybody is what he/she wants to be."

"I have become more confident and I see myself as a leader now. I have gone as far as making things happen instead of watching them happen ...."

"A couple of times I have turned back to the book for guidance because sometimes I found myself lacking self-motivation. By reading and working through tasks I was able to reach out and succeed with my goals."

"The book has helped me see things in a broader perspective. This helps me to understand my problems and work out how to solve them."

"I've changed positively. I've learnt how to manage my time while studying. My attitude towards life has changed as well."

"I recently wrote my exams and turned towards the book to help me prepare for the exam. It helped with managing my time."

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