and see teens doing something good for someone else
358688
Cute story. With Janette Rallison you get many laughs throughout, and see teens doing something good for someone else. Fun book!
191158
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 4 is a very inspiring book for teenagers living in our crazy everyday world just like you and me. From rough times with friends, to dealing with the death of a loved one, Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 4 shows the true meaning of what it's like to be a teenager. It is written from the hands of ordinary teenagers who face the victories and hard times that we all have had our fair share of. If not, we are sure to face these challenges in the future. This book is filled with stories of life, love, and learning that sometimes we all need to hear to know that we are not alone.

One of my favorite stories in this book is from the section of Overcoming Obstacles. The story is titled Tear-Stained Eyes. It starts off when a girl took her boyfriend to the airport because he was leaving for college.  She was so heart-broken because she had to see him leave, and wondered if he loved her as much as she loved him still. Before he left, they promised each other that they would always love each other, but wouldn't keep in contact. A month goes by and she still has the same feelings for her long lost boyfriend, but later that night, you wouldn't imagine what showed up on the front porch.

Of course you would have to read the book to know the ending. I wouldn't want to ruin it for you right? I would definitely recommend this book to teenagers of any sort. The stories you read could change the way you view other teenagers, as it did to me.
4378200
It's hard enough to be a teenager who's just moved to another part of the country and facing the first day of high school in unfamiliar surroundings. Ethan has an additional problem: he wakes up on the appointed day and finds he's been transformed into a girl named Drew, and that he/she has inherited from his/her father membership in a secret organization whose members lose their original identities when they start high school and are transformed again each year until graduation. Their goal is to change the world. The book is aimed at teens and does a good job of showing how Drew accepts the situation, with the help of her parents, and takes the first steps toward fulfilling the group's goals, although not without some painful conflicts. The book shows its intended audience the need for patience, which can be a problem at any age, and the value of learning to see situations from more than one viewpoint. Both teen and adult characters create problems by jumping to conclusions, and it's made plain how conflicts involving parents, children and other authorities can often be avoided if people listen to each other. It's a fast read, quite well written, and enjoyable for teens and those who want to try to understand them.
4446807
Easy read about a teen's bout with cancer and her journey to make friends and have an adventure before she dies.
The story also appreciates literature and wittiness among teens who are facing tough challenges.
While this is NOT a depressing story, you may need a tissue at the end.  Ages 14 and up
4293530
Middle school & High school are tough years. Peer pressure threatens to change/define who we really are. The author portrays a teen's experience as she struggles to navigate her way through these challenges. The story encompasses feuds between friends, relationship struggles, the allure of alcohol and above all, a glimpse that she will be able to overcome all of it as she learns to define herself not by the pressure from others, but by the values that SHE finds to be important. This is a good, quick read that would benefit teens and parents who feel they are going through similar issues.
4878758
I volunteer with foster youths both young and over 18..This story gave a history of youths that have no family and need guidance thru their lives.
3654911
In the fall of 1997 two tweens are connected as pen pals through school assignments. Caitlin was a typical American girl living in Pennsylvania who loved to go to the mall. Martin was a boy from Zimbabwe with a brilliant mind but whose family struggled to find the funds to keep him in school. For a few letters the two just conversed on a surface level, but when Caitlin finally realized the dire situation Martin and his family were in, both of their lives changed as Caitlin's eyes were opened to the hurting people of the world and Martin gained a friend willing to invest love and her babysitting money in his future. Eventually, Caitlin's entire family got involved in helping Martin and his family survive the tumultuous recession in Zimbabwe and figuring out how to help Martin come to the States for university.

This is an incredible story, made all the more powerful because it is true. What Caitlin did will not seem like much to teens who are well off, but it made a world of difference for Martin and his family (and even saved some of their lives). I sometimes rolled my eyes at Caitlin's tween and teen drama, but she does mature over the course of the book and ultimately the overall message makes it worth plowing through her teen experience. Hopefully tweens and teens reading this will be inspired to take action themselves, that having their eyes open to how others live in this world will inspire them to see what "little" things they can do that will mean the world to someone else. I don't see how you could read this and put it down unmoved.

Notes on content: About 5 swear words. No sexual content. No violence. Some teenage drinking and drug use are mentioned, but eventually it is stated that choosing studying over partying at college is the much smarter move.
3252845
I enjoyed this story and think it would be great to have around for teenagers who find themselves in trouble,  especially girls. Readers get to meet Mirra, a teenager who starts out in just a small amount of trouble that escalates and takes readers on a life ride of tragedy that too many have experienced. I think the author does a great job with the feel of this story and a look into a life not all have seen but should know is out there.
1726053
Working with foster youth I am always reminded of their daily struggles & challenges, which are numerous. Stories like Etched in Sand need to be told. Unfortunately too many people in society follow the rule "out of sight; out of mind". These children belong to all of us. They are the future generation and will someday take care of us. It is important to pay it forward for not only their success but the success of our country.
4857049
I enjoyed the story as two lives came together to help each other find themselves and feel that they have a purpose in life.  As we get older we still need to feel valuable and do young teenagers finding themselves and finding their own individual talents.  Different generations help each other.  I know this to be true with my grandchildren.  I have chats with them and help them along the path of learning about themselves and finding their God given talents.
4633147
The beauty of life is this: One person can make such a difference for another. That is the Colleen Adams story, told in the new book, "Hope in the Hood." A road map to a life of illuminating example, this book is the story of a giver, a do-er and a teacher of life's most important lessons. Each of us can learn from her life and the stories she tells.
Those stories reveal the pain and the promise in so many young lives.  Colleen Adams has turned her own pain into purposefulness for others. So, too, do those teenagers and young adults.
This book ratifies the reasons each of us can  be hopeful and optimistic.
David Lawrence Jr.
Coral Gables, Florida
881748
This movie was not what I expected.  It really shows what one person can do to help another and the person doing the helping is more blessed by the interaction than he or she ever dreamed.
3691115
it's a good story and heart warming that there are people who are helping others in their needy times would love to read more like this books just thank you for writing this book.
4501656
As an elementary school counselor, I'm always reading stories showing kindness towards others. Well, that kindness doesn't just entail people.....it includes being caring to the world around us. Kids LOVE to be encouraged to be helpers. Sometimes I will see students going out of their way to meet the needs that arise around them. How to Heal a Broken Wing reminds me of those moments.

I love how the story starts.....with everyone walking the city streets too busy to notice an injured bird on the sidewalk. Well, everyone except a child named Will. He's a total hero in my opinion, so full of care, heart, and concern. Oh, and by the way, this is one of those reads where there is total silence in the room. The students are touched by Will as he helps the bird heal. He is setting a wonderful example for children that they have the power to do good deeds. A lot of students brought up the book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. They commented how all living things have buckets, not just people. Sigh. I think there is a lot to explore in this book. It's new to my shelf, but I'm already letting the students thoughts and comments do the leading. You'll also love how the illustrations do the storytelling.
1874094
This is a worthwhile book and one that I think many teens would enjoy. The author creates vivid, realistic characters and the issues they face I think will resonate with many teens.
4095527
Some of the looks are for people older than teenagers.  Some of the looks are not for every day use, more for dress up and halloween.
4758938
I enjoyed this quirky coming of age story and the compassion and support the main characters actually demonstrated with one another. It was a positive and reassuring teenage story.