Highly recommended! Especially for teens heading into the real world
920209
Highly recommended! Especially for teens heading into the real world.

My husband and I just got through reading this together and it has taught us so much about ourselves, our people and why we treat each other the way we do.  Its a great learning tool and one day I would love to meet Dr. Joy.  I appreciate her for educating us and for keeping it 100.  Thanks Dr. Joy and Amazon!
1947416
I loved this book. It is wonderful for Teens from ages 13 and up. A great weekend read. Avery Snow the main character in the book has some trouble with insomnia, for reasons yet learned, she appears to be a normal twenty something girl with a job, (which I love, so often in books you know of their occupation but not really any details of it). but Avery is far from normal. This book takes you through a journey of growth, love, friendship, teamwork, and ultimately sacrifice.

I am a grown woman and I enjoyed this read as much as my 17 year old. Books that we can share and talk about are awesome, It helps to show what her opinions ate on things, from the author to actions that characters take. Thank you Christy Sloat for giving us a way to connect.
2713958
Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are is a great book geared especially for teenagers.  Alex and Brett Harris Have done it again!  There first book Do Hard Things was an amazing book that challenged teenagers to get out of their comfort-zones and begin rebelling against low expectations that people have of teenagers and really begin to do hard things.  I read it in one sitting and was thrilled when I heard that they had another book coming out.

This book like the first challenges teenagers to step out and rebel against low expectations.  Start Here however is smaller, more concise and shares a lot of practical insight and perspective from the lives of teenagers who are "Doing Hard Things".  It is choc full of knowledge on how to go about doing the difficult but good things.  Alex and Brett share from their own experiences as well as from many of the teenagers who have logged on to their blog and shared their insights.

Start here is a great follow up book for anyone who has read Do Hard Things.  It is also a great stand alone book for teenagers who are tired of the status quo and wanting to get out of their comfort-zones and attempt great things.  I found it highly motivational and inspirational.  My job now it to put it into as many teenager's hands as will read it.  Thanks Alex and Brett for rebelling against low expectations and challenging our teens!

I really liked this book and highly recommend it to teenagers or anyone with teenagers in their life, including parents, teachers, and student pastors.

A complimentary copy of this book was given to me for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
770709
Recently I reviewed Max Lucado's new book, Outlive Your Life, and found it a great book on an important topic--simply put, making the most of your life by touching the lives of others. Yet as the mother of a teenager who yearns to do just this, I would prefer to give my daughter something with more relevant examples of teens serving others and written more directly to her. So when I received the opportunity to review the teen version of this book, You Were Made to Make a Difference, I gladly took it!

Real teens making a difference in the world, whether in their own backyard or across the globe, is what you will discover within the covers of this book. Whether they are doing their part to raise money and awareness for children with cancer or AIDS, free slaves in another part of the world, or helping build orphanages, this book relates their stories. Interwoven with the true tales of teens making a difference is a slightly reworked version of the original Outlive Your Life. The sections written by Max are clearly identified as well as those sections written by his daughter, Jenna. Photographs, illustrations and sidebars are all decidedly teen-friendly. Encouraging and inspiring, with enough practical examples to show teens how to practically live out their faith in service to others.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers, through their Booksneeze program. I received no other compensation.
1076334
Bird Face reminded me of all the undercurrents and angst of Junior High life (and why I don't spend much time reflecting on that period of mine!) - but Cynthia Toney skillfully developed a shy girl into a confident young woman within the pages of this book. She demonstrates a solid understanding of the stresses of the age, then gently weaves in concrete actions or attitude shifts that young teens can employ to actually change their lives during a time when they feel the least in control. Everyone has a story and a burden that is unseen even by those closest to them; Ms. Toney brings those secrets to the fore with dignity. Wonderful book for teens - and adults, a mark of the best young adult authors!
2625872
As a parent of a 12 year old, I was looking for a book with which to help transition her to middle school and all that it entails as she enters puberty. How to Connect With Your iTeen is well written, easy to follow, and very informative. Points are discussed in the beginning and then summarized at the end for quick reference by parents. Although the book sounds like it mostly deals with internet/social media/electronic devices, what we have is a comprehensive guide for raising a teen - including being better parents, how teen bodies and brains are changing, and intelligent ways to deal with the age.

Topics include: entitlement and helicopter parenting, psychology of a teen and how they are changing, media and its terrible influence, teen friendships (friends, frenemies, etc.), school issues, 'screenagers', parenting road map to communication and connection (how to), why they take so many risks, and getting them ready for adulthood. At the back of the book are fact sheets to help parents determine if their teen has more serious problems, from depression to suicide, violence to eating disorders, and drug usage.

The emphasis of the book is helping a teen to become a productive and resilient adult. To do so, the book focuses on six behavioral characteristics: 1) persistence and grit; 2) self management and impulse control; 3) personal responsibility and self reliance; 4) empathy and self awareness; 5) boundaries and setting limits; 6) cultural competence/accepting differences. Addressing those character traits and developing them is the heart of How to Connect With Your iTeen.

The authors give many examples of actual teen and parent experiences and how they handled (or didn't handle) difficult situations involving school, parents, friends, and more. But what I found most useful is that each chapter not only discusses but provides clear solutions and recommendations. The emphasis is not on the teens but on the parent-teen relationship, especially communication.

I found this to be extremely well written - and something I could share with my daughter to help her navigate the coming difficult middle school years. Highly recommended. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
4820798
What a perfect story for the tween or teen girl of today struggling with the pressure (and, yes, the desire) to fit in and at the same time striving to be true to herself and her values.  The main characters in the book aren't good or bad, but rather the consequences of their lives are the result of decisions that they make, and they're not always black and white ones, either!  Well-written, funny, engaging and thought-provoking.  After reading Glitter Girl, I went out and bought four copies for all the girls in my family!
(By the way, adults won't be able to put it down, either!)
1399795
Personally I found this to be a Great inspiring read and exactly the material young teenage girls should be reading. A story yet educational, touching on current real life scenarios and what it's like to come from different backgrounds and the daily differences and challenges faced. I like the direction and message portrayed. This book was gifted to a 12 year old who can't wait to read about their next adventures. Strong, powerful, current and relevant!
2304030
I was hesitant at first to read this novel because I thought maybe I would be too old for it, though I do remember being a teenager and I work with teenagers.  So I opened with the expectation that I would enjoy it maybe, but not be particularly emotionally invested.  But the minute I started reading, I was completely hooked by the plot, the characters and the depictions of friendship, romantic relationships and family.  This novel captures the anxiety and the intensity of being an adolescent so well, it made me remember things I haven't thought about in years and also made me re-empathize with the students I work with everyday.

Heather Duffy-Stone writes in a way that reflects the way people really talk and really think -- she is very skilled at making the inner lives of the characters visceral and relatable.  This book could be read by people of any age, but any teenager in your life would benefit from this story and the thoughtfulness with which these heavy themes are addressed.  In Duffy-Stone's careful hands, the novel is impossible to put down, but also important in its insights about the process of becoming an adult and figuring out who you are.
4274828
Cheryl Rainfield's novel is inspired by the author's life experiences, which makes it authentic and intensely realistic. The subject matter of sexual abuse and self-harm may seem dark for a novel for teens. But, Rainfield is able to add a lightness that balances it and immerses the reader in the story. I read it straight through. Ultimately the story line provides hope as well as page-turning suspense. At the back of the book is an exhaustive list of organizations that provide support to teens dealing with the issues explored here. I can not recommend this book highly enough. Although this YA novel may appeal to certain readers more than others, I also recommend that adults who work with teenagers put it at the top of their reading list as well.
1852775
In today's superficial world, this is the book that all teens need to get their hands on. Well, on that account, adults, too! People have become ugly, rude, and downright nasty in the manner that they treat others. Reading about how Rebekah goes from being "on top of the world" with her beauty to being physically transformed is quite an emotional journey. I ached for her yet felt that it was a transformation that made her find what truly matters in this world. This book is definitely one that pull emotions from your depths.

I received a complimentary copy of the book for reviewing purposes. This did not affect the outcome of my review!
2099733
What a treat! Teddy Steinkellner has done a great job of creating a book that is both accessible for young readers and complex enough to keep adults intrigued. The author successfully captures so many of the nuanced emotions that we experience at 13, and I enjoyed thinking back to my own middle school experiences to relive some of those same feelings.

The author truly crafts a voice for each one of the characters; I love how he sprinkles in easter eggs of AIM chats, texts, Facebook posts, and school bulletins to give greater context to the narrative. I am so impressed by this exciting work from a young author, and I look forward to reading more from him!
2930142
Going into this book, I had high expectations. And I was not at all disappointed.

Jaquelle Crowe's enthusiasm and passion about how the Gospel transforms the teenage years is evident through her writing, and it is contagious. Her writing style is never boring, nor are her topics. Even though they have been around for some time (relationships, disciplines, sin, etc), Jaquelle offers her own unique biblically-founded insight into them.

This is a handbook for Christian teens about life from a teen who has been through many of the things we go through. But it isn't just a book. It's a conversation. Jaquelle sits down with us and talks with us, sharing her experiences and struggles and what she learned from them. She shares anecdotes from her own life and from the lives of others. More importantly, This Changes Everything always points us to God.

This Changes Everything is interactive. At the end of each chapter, there are discussion questions which challenge the Christian teen not only to think about each topic but also to apply it. Jaquelle includes fun, helpful graphics, like "How to Evaluate the Music You Listen To" and "How to Act Toward Your Parents." There are also resources for Christian teens, such as sites for Bible reading and memorization plans.

As Jaquelle says in her introduction, This Changes Everything is not spiritual milk. It's a chicken nugget. This book is full of truth, and its aim is to help Christian teens in their walk with Christ. It never minimizes the importance of the Bible, but points to it with a huge neon arrow. This is a book to be read again and again.

I received a free copy of this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.
2801426
Spin is a delightful coming of age tale that flashed this reader back to her awkward high school days. No matter what those days were like for you, you're certain to find yourself somewhere within the pages of this wonderful read. While Gudger says she writes for teens, this book will also appeal to those who have left their teen years behind. The characters are well-developed, the trouble Kisrie gets into rolls from one conundrum to the next without pause, and you won't want to put this story down until you reach the very satisfying conclusion. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
3728598
This is an excellent book for teens dealing we with real life issues. As you are drawn into the story you feel all of the emotions that Cleo experiences. Highly recommended!
700733
Real World is an amazing look inside the world of teenagers. The setting is Japan, with its cram schools and unique academic pressures, but the psychology of the kids is probably not that different from American kids of well-off parents.

High school is full of cliques (bookworms, nerds, Barbie Girls, jocks, club-goers), and the kids feel like a different species from parents and teachers. This story focuses on four girls who form their own clique based on nothing more than their close friendship. Purely by chance they get involved in the plight of a high school boy who just killed his mother.

What fascinated me was how little the girls trust the adult world, which they see as rotten and hypocritical. They can be more communicative with a teenaged murderer than with any adult. Naturally enough, the games they are playing with the fugitive boy murderer turn dangerous  but in unexpected ways.

Contemporary Japanese novels have an edgy quality that is something of an acquired taste. There is nothing quite like them in Western fiction. Matsumoto Kirino writes a gripping story. I always enjoy her books.

The way the narrative alternates between characters gives a sensitive and very realistic portrait of each teenager. The real world keeps shifting shape for these young people  and maybe a little for the reader...
4271721
Tips for Teens on Life and Social Success is a great resource for supporting teenagers who have difficulties navigating through the many social issues that arise in their lives. Shea and Briggs shed light many of the problematic scenarios that develop for teens and how we, as educators can help. As a high school teacher, I really enjoyed reading the book and could see many of my own students in the pages. The book is aimed at teens and is very readable. You can start at any chapter - "Peer Pressure", "Building Self confidence" - whatever the need is - OR you can read from cover to cover. Teenagers should find this book very helpful.