Writing with At-Risk Youth is an understatement of what the Pongo Teen Writing program does. Pongo works and writes with youth who have been buffeted by unimaginable trauma, the most challenged and troubled children in juvenile detention and psychiatric facilities. This extraordinary book does two things. It teaches others to do what Pongo has done so successfully: get distressed youth to express themselves in ways that ease their burdens, reflect on themselves and their families, deal with overwhelming issues that are hard to discuss in therapy, and write amazing poetry. And, in describing the Pongo Method, this book tells the stories of these children in their own words. Richard Gold writes with the pen of a writer, the understanding of a therapist, and empathy that reflects his broad experience and compassion. The method is simple and creative. I have seen the transformation and pride these youth experience when they show a judge a poem they have written with Pongo, and hope this book will foster widespread use of Pongo's methods.