Loneliness is a word that makes all of us feel uneasy. We hesitate to admit the deep fear we have of facing life alone, strengthened only by our individual self-confidence and personal faith in what we are about. Young people face particular challenges and uncertainties. Often, acceptance means a great deal, and being left out fills people with a painful emptiness. Yet, loneliness is an experience we all must face. And loneliness can be an opportunity for growth and creativity. We can find valuable insights in the thoughts and experiences of those who have shared this feeling of alienation before us. Originally published in 1970, Loneliness contains readings and poems by such noted writers as Paul Simon, to help readers come to terms with loneliness through these perspectives: -Everyone Knows Loneliness -The Need for Others -Loneliness Has Value -The Loneliness of Rejection -Loneliness Gives Insight -"All the Lonely People" -Lonely and Misunderstood -I Am Not Alone Winner of a Benjamin Franklin Award Loneliness was named the winner of the 21st Benjamin Franklin Award from PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association, in the category of design, 1-2 color.Friendship was named as Finalist in the same category. PMA recently honored the best books and marketing programs in fifty-two categories at the annual Benjamin Franklin Awards, handed out in New York on June 1, 2005, two days before the annual Book Expo America conference. Named in honor of America's most cherished publisher and printer, the Benjamin Franklin Awards recognize excellence in independent publishing. Publications, grouped by genre, are judged on editorial and design merit by top practitioners in each field. A panel of more than 150 judges from throughout the publishing industry, including buyers at wholesale and retail levels, librarians, book critics, design experts, and independent publishing consultants, weighed and evaluated more than 1,600 submissions in fifty-two categories to create the list of more than 160 finalists for the 2004 publishing year. Publishers large and small from across the nation, Canada, and Mexico competed for the coveted Benjamin Franklin Awards.