ISBN: 155874942X
Publisher: HCI Teens (2001)
325 p.
Publisher: HCI Teens (2001)
325 p.
Reading Level: Grade 9 and up.
Summary:
This installment of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series combines a collection of stories and poems dealing with self-acceptance, drugs, alcohol, family issues, suicide, tragedy, abuse, courage, difficult lessons, depression, death and dying, and growing up. Each author, be they teens or adults who write the story or those who tell their story to the authors, go through life-changing events out of which they emerge stronger and more at peace with themselves. Some, but not all, of these stories have dealings with God, but even those of different faiths or no faith will be able to learn and enjoy from these uplifting and heartbreaking tales of life, love, and loss. Realizing that you’re not alone in the galaxy is a powerful antidote to the feeling of being overwhelmed by the world. This series helps not only guide the lost and those in pain, but it can also serve as opening words to a more honest communication between parents and teens.
Critical Evaluation:
As the authors write in the preface, “One of our most important criteria for including a story is that it leaves the reader a better person for having read it.” (Introduction, p. xx).
I had always thought that these stories were to showcase how fantastic Christianity was, but I was proved incorrect. Although Christian values are emphasized, readers of any religion or no religion will also enjoy and be touched by these small and focused stories. The story or poem is usually concentrated on the people who lived through events that dramatically changed them, such as the death of a friend or loved one, and the stories vary in emotion from hopeful to sad, but mostly grateful for the family around them. My only reservation is that I would have liked to have seen a section for LGBTQ teens dealing with their hardships, but perhaps that was a bit too “tough” for the authors to handle. One additional item that was included were editor’s notes on resources and information on whom to call if one is being abused or suicidal. This franchise has grown immensely in the years since it first started in 1993. The stories of inspiration should motivate teens to take better care of themselves, realize their worth, and live a full life.
As the authors write in the preface, “One of our most important criteria for including a story is that it leaves the reader a better person for having read it.” (Introduction, p. xx).
I had always thought that these stories were to showcase how fantastic Christianity was, but I was proved incorrect. Although Christian values are emphasized, readers of any religion or no religion will also enjoy and be touched by these small and focused stories. The story or poem is usually concentrated on the people who lived through events that dramatically changed them, such as the death of a friend or loved one, and the stories vary in emotion from hopeful to sad, but mostly grateful for the family around them. My only reservation is that I would have liked to have seen a section for LGBTQ teens dealing with their hardships, but perhaps that was a bit too “tough” for the authors to handle. One additional item that was included were editor’s notes on resources and information on whom to call if one is being abused or suicidal. This franchise has grown immensely in the years since it first started in 1993. The stories of inspiration should motivate teens to take better care of themselves, realize their worth, and live a full life.
Reader’s Annotation:
If you’re a parent or a teen, these stories will inspire and provide hope and solace with real-life stories. The myriad of sections should prove to be a stepping-stone for parents and teens to communicate openly.
Author Biography:
Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield were both inspirational and motivational speakers and realized the inspirational stories they used could help many through the written word. They reached out to their fans for contributions. “After rounding up the 101 most inspirational submissions, they were left with an untitled book they both knew had the potential to make quite an impact.” (Retrieved from http://www.chickensoup.com/cs.asp?cid=about).
Kimberly Kirberger is the founder and president of Inspiration and Motivation for Teens, Inc. This corporation works for teens, and Kirberger’s goal is for young adults to be represented positively. Along with Hansen and Canfield, she started the Teen Letter Project, which answers “the heartfelt letters received from teenagers and also reaching out to teens in trouble and encouraging them to seek professional help. “ (Retrieved from http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?author_number=422)
Genre: Non-fiction/ Self-help - Short stories.
Curriculum Ties:
These short stories and poems could be used at the beginning of classes as uplifting stories or a gateway for the class to open a discussion on the topics of self-acceptance, drugs, abuse, suicidal thoughts, growing up, and depression, just to name a few.
Booktalking Ideas:
-Discuss how tragedy, courage, and the other sections mold both the writers and the readers of these stories.
-Discuss what types of stories the students would send in if they had the chance.
Perhaps have a booktalking session that leads to students’ writing their own stories.
Perhaps have a booktalking session that leads to students’ writing their own stories.
Read-Alikes:
-The other novels in the Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series.
-Taste Berries for Teens: Inspirational Short Stories and Encouragement on Life, Love, Friendship and Tough Issues by Bettie Youngs and Jennifer Youngs.
Challenge Issue:
I wasn’t able to find any challenges to this series, nor do I think uplifting tales and words of courage, wisdom, and self-acceptance would elicit any complaints from patrons.
Reason to include in blog:
I wanted to use an example of a self-help or guidance book for teens. These series are so popular I thought I’d add one to the blog. When I checked out this book from the Burbank library, I discovered that someone had painstakingly cut out paper bouquets of flowers from magazines and roses and placed them throughout the book. I thought this was a very sweet gesture for myself and the other readers down the line.
References:
Canfield, J., Hansen, M. V., Kirberger, K. (2001). Chicken soup for the teenage soul
on tough stuff. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: HCI Teens.
Chicken Soup for the Soul. (n.d.). History of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Retrieved from http://www.chickensoup.com/cs.asp?cid=about
BookBrowse. (2011). Kimberly Kirberger: Biography. Retrieved from http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies /index.cfm?author_number=422
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