A moving collection of poetry, advice, and stories about DC students' highschool and their community. Authors in The Ballou We Know share letters written to cousins about how to handle the first day of school, stories about favorite teachers and counselors, and other reflections on their beloved high school.

— Simon Traub-Epstein, International Library of Young Authors

From the publisher: “This book, the fifth volume of The Ballou Story Project, was initiated by these young people in response to a challenging year for the community. They wanted to illuminate the Ballou not often represented in the media--one full of love, hard work, and transformation. They set their mission: to change the story about their school and the people who call it home. To combat stereotypes and assumptions. To motivate the next generation to persevere, and to believe in themselves, no matter what. Most importantly, these young people wanted to speak for themselves, not to be spoken about. They remind us that there are many sides to every story, and that all voices should be valued and heard. ‘This is our last line of defense,’ they write. ‘These are our stories. This is the Ballou We Know.’ The Ballou We Know is the fifth volume of The Ballou Story Project, a program that provides a platform for these students to tell their own stories and act as leaders in their community.”