Aashni Shah, a rising sophomore at Carroll High School in Southlake, didn't wait until adulthood to write a self-help book for teenagers. She published one while she's still living the experience.
Shah recently released "Dear Teenagers," a coming-of-age nonfiction book that tackles academics, social media, peer pressure, mental health and maintaining a social life.
"I realized that there is a lack of self-help books for teenagers from our own perspective," Shah told Southlake Style in a profile published Wednesday, Aug. 19.
The book's central argument is that growing up can feel isolating, but the struggles teens experience are more universal than they realize. Shah said she wrote it for students who may be quietly dealing with stress or anxiety, particularly those feeling pressure to keep up. She said she has seen firsthand at Carroll ISD that many young people struggle silently.
Shah isn't positioning herself as someone who has it all figured out. The book explores building an academic career, navigating digital life and maintaining friendships, according to its Amazon listing, where it is available in paperback and Kindle editions.
Her timing aligns with a broader conversation in the district. Carroll ISD's Board of Trustees received a presentation on screen-time reductions for the 2026-27 school year as part of the district's "Dragons Unplugged" initiative, which caps high school classes at 15 minutes of screen time per period. Shah's book addresses some of the same digital pressures the district is working to manage at the institutional level.
Shah said her goal is to help other teenagers feel less alone, adding that if even one student or family finds encouragement because they read about the book, sharing its story will have been worthwhile.
Upcoming community events:
- Aug. 22: Free document shredding at Colleyville City Hall
- September: Grapevine's festival season kicks off with multiple events downtown
