Anu Adebogun introduces her guide to life, It's a Brave Young World
About Author
Anu Adebogun, British-Nigerian author, scholar and award-winning youth practitioner, introduces her new guide for young people, It's a Brave Young World, which draws on her decade of experience across the youth and community sector.
She has also written 'Black and Brave History: 30 Sheroes Who Shook Britain' to celebrate the revolutionary impact of Black female presence through colourful, inspiring biography.
Anu studied law, has an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Oxford, and is now studying for a PhD.
Interview
Anu Adebogun introduces her guide to life, It's a Brave Young World (Little Tiger Press)
February 2025
Inspiring courage, self-awareness and positive choices, Anu Adebogun's new guide for young people, It's a Brave Young World, helps them navigate difficult situations and challenges at home and in school, with friends or online, and encourages them to speak out for themselves and others.
We spoke with Anu to find out about her work with young people, what inspired her to write It's a Brave Young World, and what she hopes readers will take from her 'guide to life'. Read an extract from It's a Brave Young World.
5* Review: "A fabulous resource, and one that I think young people would return to time and time again for help and support.
Q&A with Anu Adebogun: "Instead of solely focusing on how scary the world is becoming, this book hopes to
ignite courage in its readers."
1. Can you tell us about yourself; your loves and loathings, and your work?
I absolutely love words - writing, speaking and reading them - hence, why I became an author and scholar. I am doing my PhD at the University of Oxford, researching issues of gender, justice and crime. I am really passionate about the development of young people and over the last decade I have worked towards promoting their safety, wellbeing and access to education.
My loathings? I loathe roll cake - I know people love it, but it literally feels like I am eating carpet. I'd much prefer anything red velvet!
2. What brought you into writing a companion guide to growing up for young people? What do you feel are the biggest challenges they face today?
It's A Brave Young World is hugely inspired by work as a youth practitioner in crime prevention and education outreach work. Over the years, I have listened to young people share their struggles with self-confidence and wellbeing, navigating friendship circles, challenging family dynamics and life online.
The compounding effect of these challenges with perfect façade social media presents can really heighten feelings of loneliness and isolation. This guide extends a hand to young readers navigating life right now.
3. What does It's a Brave Young World cover, and why do you focus on courage in the title?
Growing up in today's world can feel chaotic, confusing and intimidating with the unprecedented ways young people are being made vulnerable on virtual street corners. Instead of solely focusing on how scary the world is becoming, this book hopes to ignite courage in its readers.
Armed with the knowledge of their rights and understanding what is safe and healthy in families, friendships and relationships, this book offers young people the tools and language to speak up for themselves, call out unsafe situations and advocate for others.
I am on a mission to see more young people thriving, stepping into their power and lighting up our world - being brave is such an essential part of this!
4. What other kinds of information will readers find out about in It's a Brave Young World? How is the book arranged? Can they dip in or should it be read it cover to cover?
In this guide to life - no subject is off limits. This book is all about championing the growth, wellbeing and safety of young people. Readers can think of its pages as a journey to get to know yourself better and uncover the power of being brave.
The book is arranged into 10 chapters. Each section covers a different topic, from values and beliefs, to healthy boundaries and coping with challenging feelings. You can find tips on relationship and consent, discussion on cancel culture, navigating school and staying safe online. Through all these topics - discover the most important relationship of all - the one you have with yourself.
You can either dip in and out of sections (focusing on what is most interesting or relevant per time) or read the book cover to cover - it is completely up to you!
5. How did you decide on the conversational tone of the companion, and to share your own experiences growing up with your readers?
Stories are powerful. Humans have gathered in caves, huddled around campfires, sat around dinner tables using stories to connect with one another and make sense of our experiences. As It's A Brave Young World is a work of non-fiction, it was essential to include storytelling elements to help readers connect with the topics and see their real-world application. Awkward, embarrassing, confusing and scary things can happen to anyone - they've happened to me!
Though filled with research-driven activities and information, It's a Brave Young World is more than a book of facts. Including my experiences and writing in conversational tone was central to young people feeling supported as they read the book. They are not being 'talked at' or 'preached to' but invited into conversation with themselves and the people in their life.
6. What kinds of tools will readers find in the book to help them cope with challenges they might face in day-to-day life? How would you like to see the book being used by readers?
Each chapter is filled with activities and journaling prompts to keep readers an active as they move through the book. The guide is full of practical tips for dealing with intense emotions including how to create a self-soothe box, deep breathing techniques and use a colourful wheel of emotions. I would like to see the book being used by young people on their journey to self-awareness and self-care.
7. Who do you especially want to read It's a Brave Young World, and what do you hope they will reflect on? What would you have wanted your younger self to take from the guide?
Everyone! Situations can happen in life that can leave us feeling frail and timid. I hope everyone who reads this book can reflect on the courage and strength already within them.
I often think of young Anu, the many dreams she had back then and how she wrongly believed she had to wait until she was 'older, wiser, richer' to go after them. One thing I wish she could take from this book is - be brave! Give yourself permission to try new things and challenge yourself. All that you need is within you.
8. What areas did you need to research in order to write the book or, given the field you work in, have you already done much of the work? Have you consulted with other experts, too?
As a youth practitioner and criminologist, I had an existing knowledge base on youth justice, crime prevention and family safeguarding. However, chapters like 'Mind, Mood and Feelings' required that I put on my researcher hat on and get input from experts like Dr Roisin Ryan (GP). Input was also sought from Beth Cox to ensure the book is inclusive, diverse and accessible.
9. It's a Brave Young World is highly illustrated by Soofiya and Lila Cruz, how did you work with them on the book, and what do you feel their illustrations and the design bring to the guide?
Soofiya and Lila Cruz are incredibly talented artists. The first task was ensuring they received a good manuscript - with all the story times in tow. They then used this information to inspire the comic-like illustrations that I absolutely adore! Their illustrations are one of my favourite features about the book and it is an honour to have worked with both of them.
10. Do you feel the guide can be useful for boys as well as girls, or do you have plans to write one focused on boys?
I think every young person, regardless of their gender, can use the guide. It has been wonderful hearing from grown-ups that their children and grandchildren of all genders have enjoyed reading It's A Brave Young World and how the book has brought about interesting conversations around their dinner table.
11. Were there areas of advice you haven't included in the book; do you have plans to follow up on It's a Brave Young World with another guide?
The book is quite comprehensive in the breadth and depth of topics it covers. While the guide does not hold all the answers to life's questions (nor does it claim to), it offers a safe space within its pages for young readers to explore who they are, what matters to them and embrace what they discover. I really enjoy writing books and creating resources for young people, especially on topics relating to educational, personal and social issues. I have no intention to slow down with writing, so watch this space!
12. When you're not writing, what keeps you busy during the day and where do you go for downtime and to feed your soul?
When I am not writing, my day is full of activities which range from working on research (my PhD) to speaking with young people, parents, headteachers and professionals on some of the topics in the book.
Downtime for me is all about spending time with loved ones. Some of my favourite ways to re-energise include playing games with my daughter and husband, meeting with friends, and catching up with my siblings and parents. As a woman of faith, feeding my soul looks like reading scriptures, meditating and singing worship songs.
School events: Can you tell us a little about what your events include, who they are suited to and what you hope students will get from your event?
As a youth practitioner and former outreach worker, I embrace every opportunity to engage, educate and encourage young people and the grown-ups that support them. Through my interactive programmes at schools, I engage young people in topics around:
- Building resilience, confidence and discovering their strengths
- Healthy relationships, friendships, boundaries and safety at home
- Safely Navigating Life Online
- Research, fact-finding and how to write creative non-fiction
It's a Brave Young World
