The primary goal of the Do the Write Thing Challenge Program is to prompt participating students to think about their role in society and to realize that they have a responsibility and the power to change their environment. Seventh- and eighth-grade students from 12 cities, together with students from 20 National Guard Challenge Sites were invited to consider the sources of youth violence and to make a commitment to seek peaceful, constructive lives. This book contains the best student responses to the question of what they can do about the violence in their lives. Their personal stories are representative of the challenges faced every day by many American children. Their essays are unedited and are reprinted exactly as they were submitted. The book contains a description of the Do the Write Thing Challenge and of the Peace Memorial Fund (which is the effort's primary sponsor), and lists of participating organizations and distinguished supporters.