Sue Scheff: The Teen Survival Guide to Dating and Relating

By Annie Fox

FREE DOWNLOAD! FREE BOOK!

This book was first published as Can You Relate? in 2000. In 2005 it was re-released as The Teen Survival Guide to Dating and Relating. It went out of print in 2008. That’s the way things go sometimes. Instead of letting all this truly great relationship information vanish forever, I decided to give it away for FREE. No strings attached. So here it is. Everything you need to know about getting along better with yourself and everyone else. This book is for you. It’s a gift. Yours to read wherever you want. Hopefully you’ll think about what you read. See how it applies to situations you’ve already been in. Remember the stuff that makes the most sense to you because you never know when you might need it. And if you’ve got friends who could use help sorting out their feelings, pass it on to them. That’s what friends are for.

Synopsis

Annie Fox, creator of The InSite, invites young people to share their questions and concerns about relationships. She personally answers every email she receives, and her straightforward, savvy advice helps teens create healthier relationships with everyone in their lives—including themselves.

This book brings Terra out of cyberspace and onto the printed page. Based on hundreds of emails Annie has received, it gives readers the scoop on what matters most to them: their feelings, looks, and decisions; boyfriends and girlfriends; sex and sexuality; how to make a relationship work (and what to do when it doesn’t); finding and keeping real friends; handling problems with parents and siblings; dealing with other authority figures (teachers, employers, coaches); and more.

Conflict Resolution Tool Kits provide step-by-step strategies for whatever relationship needs help. “Hey Terra!” letters let readers in on conversations between Annie and visitors to her site. Open-ended questions invite teens to think about Terra’s advice and what it means to them. The tone throughout is upbeat, positive, honest, and respectful—reasons why Annie Fox is the person kids turn to when they need someone to listen.

246 pages, illustrated, softcover, two-color, 7 1/4" x 9 1/4", teens, 13 and up, ISBN 1-57542-190-9. Press Release from Free Spirit Publishing.

Free Download - click here.

Sue Scheff: The Homework Myth

The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing

By Alfie Kohn

A compelling exposé of homework – how it fails our children, why it’s so widely accepted, and what we can do about it.
Death and taxes come later; what seems inevitable for children is the idea that, after spending the day at school, they must then complete more academic assignments at home. The predictable results: stress and conflict, frustration and exhaustion. Parents respond by reassuring themselves that at least the benefits outweigh the costs.

But what if they don’t? In The Homework Myth, Alfie Kohn systematically examines the usual defenses of homework – that it promotes higher achievement, “reinforces” learning, teaches study skills and responsibility. None of these assumptions, he shows, actually passes the test of research, logic, or experience.

So why do we continue to administer this modern cod liver oil – or even demand a larger dose? Kohn’s incisive analysis reveals how a mistrust of children, a set of misconceptions about learning, and a misguided focus on competitiveness have all left our kids with less free time and our families with more conflict. Pointing to parents who have fought back – and schools that have proved educational excellence is possible without homework -- Kohn shows how we can rethink what happens during and after school in order to rescue our families and our children’s love of learning.

Order on Amazon today.

Sue Scheff: National Hazing Prevention Week

HazingPrevention.Org is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization whose goal is to encourage healthy and productive experiences for new members of teams, student organizations and fraternities and sororities.

The site contains information about resources, and programs and services of our organization including awards recognizing campuses and individuals for their hazing prevention efforts.
Hazing is an insidious problem throughout our society that can only be stopped through the actions of people like you. This organization and website can provide you resources and training to help you prevent hazing in your organization, team or on your campus.

Visit today and learn more. Being an educated parent can lead to safer teens.

Sue Scheff: Second Chance - The Story of a Father's Faith, a Mother's Strength and a Child's Will to Live!

By Kip Moore

A Book of Faith, Love, and Survival

A father sits in the waiting room of the pediatric intensive care unit of The Children’s Hospital of Denver, hopeless and frantic. He holds his wife close while she cries. They are exhausted from four sleepless nights of keeping vigil at their son’s bedside as they cling to hope. What happens next is an inspiring true story of a child’s will to live.

A Deadly Scare

Eighteen-month-old Chance survived a near-death situation brought on by the ingestion of tainted beef while on a family vacation. Chance’s critical illness pushed his parents, Kip and Marti, to the edge of despair. But the hope of this Colorado family, nurtured by intense love, prayer, and perseverance, paid off in a joyful way—he received his second chance on life.

How Safe is our Food?

Who could have predicted that a relaxing family vacation would turn the Moore family upside down?

How safe is the food you serve your children?

• Would you recognize flu-like symptoms as potentially fatal?

• How would you and your family cope if tested in a time of crisis?

• Will it be too late for you or a loved one?

A Unique Message

The author delivers his message with a unique combination of raw emotion mixed with humor. As he states in the book, “I’m just an average guy, to whom extraordinary events occurred.” He gives valuable information about the threat of E. coli O157:H7 in easily understood terms, while never loosing site of the emotional impact such a deadly infection can cause parents of sick children. No parent should have to ask, “Is my child going to die?”

Second Chance answers this question in a way that is both heartwarming and inspirational.
Order today.

Watch video.

Sue Scheff: Look Both Ways - Protect your Family on the Internet

Look Both Ways

By Linda Criddle

Learn the 14 ways in which you can help make the Internet a safer place for you and your family. You teach your children to look both ways before crossing the street. You tell them not to talk to strangers. But do you really know how to teach them to safely use the Internet?

In this book, Linda Criddle, a leading child safety expert, offers a practical education about what is safe, what is not, and how taking a few precautions can help your children avoid putting themselves at risk.

Discover what the risks are today and common ways in which people inadvertently expose themselves and accidentally reveal information. Learn how to be alert, avoid instant messaging and e-mail dangers, blog and play games safely, and avoid harassment and bullying.

Order on Amazon today and follow Linda Criddle on Twitter @LindaCriddle

Sue Scheff: The Self-Esteem Trap

The Self-Esteem Trap: Raising Confident and Compassionate Kids in an Age of Self-Importance

By Polly Young-Eisendrath

This groundbreaking new book clarifies the misplaced but well-meaning intentions that have produced a generation of young adults...

>Who are unable or unwilling to imagine a life that’s anything but extraordinary.
>Who are stymied by the ordinary challenges of adulthood.
>Who are restless and unhappy with their desirable circumstances.
>Who suffer prematurely from angst and disillusionment with the world as it is.
>who have no patience for developing talents over time.
>Who are reticent to share or collaborate.
>Who feel pressure to be and have the very best.
>Who fear humiliation above all else.
cannot escape the negative self-preoccupations of the self-esteem trap.

Order today on Amazon.

Sue Scheff: Wit's End Advice and Resources for Saving Your Out of Control Teen

By Sue Scheff

As school has opened, our phone lines and emails increase. Is your teen struggling already? Experimenting with drugs? Hanging with a less than desirable peer group? Underachieving? The list goes on.

Don't be a parent in denial, take action and be an educated parent. An educated parent is a prepared parent which leads to a safer teen.

If you are considering residential therapy, or your teen is starting to become uncontrollable, read Wit's End today!

Also visit www.helpyourteens.com for more information.

Sue Scheff: Saving Deets! A Family's Journey with Autism

Saving Deets! Coming Soon:

To continue with teens that inspire, Zack Gonzalez recently came to my attention. This 16 year old, soon to be published author, discovered his calling through his 7 year old autistic brother, Ethan. Since his brother was diagnosed, he has been dedicated to the cause of helping these children and creating awareness through his own radio show, raising money for autism, as well as his new book about his family’s journey coming out in October 2009.

Learn more about this amazing teen in this recent interview he provided me.
Q. Tell us why you are interested in autism and what inspired you to write a book about this topic?

A. The interest in autism came from my brother. He was diagnosed in 2005 and ever since then I have been researching it and trying to find out as much as I can. He was also my main inspiration for the book. After the constant researching and advocacy I learned so much. I was finally told that writing a book is something I should consider. At first, I was like “Yeah that would be cool” but I had no idea where to start. I honestly did not think that I could do it. Then, my mom told me to just do it. She always told me that there was nothing I could not accomplish and that’s where it all started.

Q. What motivates you?

A. I have so many motivations. My main motivation is helping my brother. He is what keeps me going. Over the summer I volunteered at his summer camp and got to work with more children with special needs. That experience really opened my eyes. I enjoyed it so much and from there I realized that my brother isn’t the only one I should be doing this for. From there my motivation has been these kids in general. They are such awesome kids and I do it all for them. They have to work twice as hard every day and even then some people still exclude them and laugh at them. Really, they are not that much different; they all mean the world to me!

Q. What do your friends, teachers and family think of your crusade on behalf of your brother as well as many other children in the world?

A. At first I kept a lot from them. I didn’t really tell them much about what I was doing. The only one that knew was my mom. I don’t know why I kept it from everyone for so long. After everyone found out I got so many accolades and so much more support. It gives me a good feeling to know that I have my friends and family supporting me.

Q. Do you have any hobbies outside of your mission?

A. I don’t really. I dedicate all of my time to bringing awareness and raising money. I started with attending charity events and volunteering to create my own event, Play Now for Autism, to writing the book, which led to the radio show, and now I am starting my own line of clothes, Autism Awareness by Zack. So I donate a lot of my time to the cause. Other than that I have my studies that I try to focus on.

Q. Your new book will be released in October, Saving Deets!: A Family's Journey with Autism – what is “Deets”? Do you have a sneak preview for us that you would like to tell us about?

A. It’s funny that you ask this because I knew this would be a popular question so I wrote a small section explaining it in the Preface of my book with the that title “What is a Deets”. Deets is my brother. His name is Ethan but my other brother Elijah gave him the name while on a road trip to Washington. It was actually Deetens but was shortened to Deets. Where he came up with the name, I don’t know. I he was trying to say Ethan but it came out as Deetens. As for a sneak peak, all I will say is that it is filled with love! It has heart-filled stories, pictures, and lots of helpful information! The main themes of it are Acceptance, Recover, and Making A Difference.

Q. Tell us about your radio show, “It’s On With Zack” – what do you discuss? How do you decide what your topics will be?

A. The show is still new. It airs live every other Saturday morning. There are still some technical errors here and there but overall it gets better every week. The show has a Co-Host now and a Start Up Audio, finally! We discuss all topics pertaining to autism. Whether its diets or books or vaccines, it’s all covered. Every episode has an interview/interviews with people active in the autism community and most episodes will feature news stories or open discussions. Once in a while we throw in a heated debate, which is really fun. The show also has autism-related songs that are just awesome! We don’t really pick a theme per episode it’s more of just what ever is in the news that week and who ever is on the show that day. But overall it’s a fun show; it’s my favorite thing to do. Visit Blogtalk Radio with Zack for more information.

Q. Who do you admire and why?

A. I admire my parents. They are both pretty young so I have great relationships with them. They are always by my side! My grandparents are great support to me also. My whole family is my awesome support group so I do admire them for that.

Q. What are your plans for the future?

A. I really don’t plan ahead, I just kind of do things as I go so at this point after the clothing line, who knows? I know that God has been with me since day one and everyday my once large path has gotten more and more narrow leading me to where I am meant to be. However, I would like to open up my own non-profit autism organization that helps families fund for biomedical interventions and different services. That may be what I do next.

Q. Can you recommend any websites, resources or other valuable information people can find out more about autism?

A. My book is filled with helpful information and resources! But I don’t want to sound narcissistic or anything. Some awesome sites would be Age of Autism, there is where we get a lot of news stories for the radio show, Generation Rescue (Jenny McCarthy’s Organization), Autism Talk Radio, Autism Speaks, Stan Kurtz’s Website, and the list goes on but these are some really neat resources to check out!

Q. Is there anything you would like us to know about you and your cause?

A. I’ve pretty much said it all. I am very devoted to this cause. It is a wonderful cause to help and it could always use more help. It keep growing and growing every year. I believe it is greater than AIDS, Cancer, and Diabetes combined so you know it is growing drastically. All I ask is that you support and help bring more awareness and more raise more money!

Thanks for taking the time to let us get to know you! Be sure to visit Zack's MySpace page, Facebook page, and follow him on Twitter! Watch for his new website coming soon!

Also see on Examiner.com

Sue Scheff: "Hey Josh" Teen Motivational Speaker

“The Dear Abby for teens” -CosmoGIRL Magazine

Josh Shipp is dedicated to one thing: entertaining, inspiring, and empowering teens. He’s written books, shared the stage with Bill Cosby, appeared on MTV’s TRL, Comedy Central, NBC, FOX, TLC, and in the LA TIMES . And he’s already established an international reputation as an inspiring youth speaker with a simple and entertaining, yet challenging message.

Abandoned and abused as a child, Josh was able to triumph over the tragedy, and he continues to encourage everyone to overcome struggles and live life to the fullest. And he does so through the power of laughter. Josh is animated and hilarious, and his speaking style is challenging and thought-provoking. Josh has spoken to more than one million people about how his opportunities in life have made him who he is today. For over eight years, he has inspired, empowered, and entertained audiences all over the world. Josh’s ability to connect with the audience is a rare gift and is one you don’t want to miss.

Hey Josh is a website that provides advice, entertainment and community to teens through the web, films, live events and published books. Based on the old-school principles of Dear Abby, Hey Josh provides digital advice to a digital generation that is “in your face, but on your side”.

Josh is a spokesperson for National Foster Care Month, a marathon runner and a guitar hero.

Learn more in an interview with Shara Lawrence Weiss on Examiner.com.

Contact Josh:

Site for Teens: http://www.heyjosh.com/
Site for Grownups: http://grownups.heyjosh.com/
877-HEY-JOSH

Sue Scheff: National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

A Federal resource for communities working to prevent violence committed by and against young people.

The mission of the NYVPRC is to provide key leaders in communities—local government leaders and community leaders—with dynamic resources to help support their efforts to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate effective youth violence prevention efforts. See About Us for more complete details about the NYVPRC.

Visit www.safeyouth.org for much more! Be an educated parent!

Sue Scheff: Organizing the Disorganized Child

By Martin L. Kutscher and Marcell Moran

Simple Strategies to Suceed in School

Organizing the Disorganized Child explains:

1. How to solve the messy-backpack problem (page 28).

2. Step-by-step tips to help your child improve study skills (page 96).

3. Which school supplies work best for different types of children (page 26).

4. Methods for note taking (page 99).

5. Techniques for time management (page 72).

6. Strategies to refine morning and nighttime routines that will help the entire family (page 128).

Dr. Michele Borba's (Parenting Expert) review.

Order on Amazon today!

Sue Scheff: Is Your Teen STRESSED or DEPRESSED?

By Dr. Arch Hart and Dr. Catherine Hart Weber

The teen years are hard enough. But with today's increased pressures to produce at school, stay in step with being cool, and manage a jam-packed schedule, it's no wonder many teens are overwhelmed. The result is a generation experiencing greater stress and feeling more depressed than any other.

This book will inspire and equip parents to help their hurting teens. The well-known and widely respected author team of Dr. Catherine Hart Weber and Dr. Arch Hart help parents discover and identify nervousness, irritability, negativity, and low self-esteem, and determine whether their teen's symptoms are caused by physical problems, raging hormones, stress, or depression. Offering practical suggestions, spiritual solutions, and encouragement, this resource helps parents and teens face their own feelings of fear, anger, and hurt.

Is Your Teen Stressed or Depressed? will help parents determine whether their child is simply acting like a hormone-raging teenager, or is actually suffereing from too much stress or even depression.

Order on Amazon today.

Sue Scheff: Talk With Your Kids

Talking with Kids About Tough Issues

Raising a child is probably the most gratifying job any of us will ever have -- and one of the toughest. We live in an increasingly complex world that challenges us every day with a wide range of disturbing issues that are difficult for children to understand and for adults to explain. We believe this Web site can help by offering practical, concrete tips and techniques for talking easily and openly with young children ages 8 to 12 about some very tough issues: sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, drugs and alcohol.

What a fantastic website for parent to learn how to open those lines of communication with your child and especially teens!

Visit http://www.talkingwithkids.org/ today!

Sue Scheff: BOOM.. BOOM.. BOOM.. - A Story to Raise Your Child's Emotional Intelligence

By Marsha Jacobson

Illustrated by Troy Brooks

After reading this wonderful book, I highly recommend it parents with younger children, and of course, my granddaughter will receive it this Holiday Season.

The illustrations are engaging, and the story keeps your child's attention as well as gives them a sense of security. It is a page turner for your little ones and helps them better understand emotions and feelings. Bravo to Marsha Jacobson!

From the author:

I wrote this book to help children understand and deal with their uncomfortable feelings including anxiety, fear and frustration. As a mother of four, I’ve seen first hand the struggles my children have gone through, at various points in their lives, as they learned to deal with these emotions. Writing children’s stories like this has allowed me to combine my parenting experiences and my Clinical Psychology education. It is my hope that “Boom… Boom… Boom…” will be the first of many to come.

Order on Amazon today! Read Dr. Michele Borba's praise for Boom... Boom... Boom...

Follow Marsha Jacobson on Twitter @MarshaJacobson

Sue Scheff: The Lost Child - A Mother's Story

By Julie Myerson

A Mother's Story

While researching her next book, Julie Myerson finds herself in a graveyard, looking for traces of a young woman who died nearly two centuries before. As a child in Regency England, Mary Yelloly painted an exquisite album of watercolors that uniquely reflected the world in which she lived. But Mary died at the age of twenty-one, and when Julie comes across this album, she is haunted by the potential never realized. She is also reminded of her own child.

Only days earlier, Julie and her husband locked their eldest son out of the family home. He is just seventeen. After a happy childhood, he had discovered drugs, and it had taken only a matter of months for the boy to completely lose his way and propel his family into daily chaos. Julie—whose emotionally fragile relationship with her own father had left her determined to love her children better—had to accept that she was powerless to bring him back.

Honest, warm, and profoundly moving, this is the parallel story of a girl and a boy separated by centuries. The circumstances are very different, but the questions remain terrifyingly the same. What happens when a child disappears from a family? What will survive of any of us in memory or in history? And how is a mother to cope when love is not enough?

NY Times Review

Order on Amazon today.

Sue Scheff: Crash Proof Your Kids!

By Timothy C. Smith

What an incredible book I wish I had when my kids were approaching their new freedom; driving a car.

This is not only a book parents must read, but more importantly, the teens! Open communication with our teens is critical at this point of teen-hood.

What parents need to understand is teaching our kids to drive a serious job that we need to take the time (many, many hours we absolutely need to put aside for this) to educate your teen before they get behind the wheel. The education takes place "before" they get into the car to drive.

Crash Proof Your Kids takes you step by step in teaching your teen to drive, but what is more interesting is all the information is substantiated with statistics, examples, educational charts, resources (giving reasons why this is so critical to understand) and so much more. Like kids and teens today, we need to "show" them "why" things are important for them to know. The Crash Proof Contract includes both the parent and the teen! Together, you can help Crash Proof Your Kids.

From learning about the importance of defensive driving, to how to drive in a variety of weather factors, to the equipment in your car (and much more) this book doesn't miss a beat!

Take the time to be an educated parent, which is a prepared parent - which can lead to a safer teen!

Order today at Amazon and learn more at http://www.crashproofyourkids.com/.

Sue Scheff: The Million Dollar Parent: How to Have a Successful Career While Keeping Your Family a Top Priority

The Million-Dollar Parent: How To Have a Successfull Career While Keeping Your Family a Top Priority

By Kate Raidt

America is facing a parenting crisis. Far too many parents, from all income brackets, are investing far more time and attention into their careers than into their children and family. The Million-Dollar Parent answers the critical question, "How can I have a successful career while keeping my family a top priority?"


Follow Kate on Twitter @KateRaidt

Learn more about the author and the book at http://www.themilliondollarparent.com/index.htm


Order on Amazon today!

Sue Scheff: Pigtail Pals is Redefining Girly

Pigtail Pals is Redefining Girl

We are a company that offers distinctive designs on stylish, premium tees. Our colors remind girls to be bold. Pigtail Pals inspires girls to be smart, daring, and adventurous. We encourage girls to Redefine Girly!

Pigtail Pals was created by Melissa Wardy, a stay-at-home mom who wanted better options for her pre-school daughter when it came to clothes. Melissa wanted role models for her daughter that exemplified courage, intelligence, and independence.She didn't want to confine her little girl to the pink and purple world being marketed to her. When Melissa couldn't find what she wanted, Pigtail Pals was born. Pigtail Pals tries to get away from the ubiquitous pink and purple princess-diva-drama queen trend. It is our intention to show girls that they may be bold, adventurous and heroic just like the boys!A Pigtail Pal doesn't wish upon a star and wait for her prince to show up. A Pigtail Pal gets into her rocket ship and finds that star all on her own!

Visit this fun website! Learn more! http://www.pigtailpals.com/info.html

Follow them on Twitter @PigtailPals

Sue Scheff: ADDICTED LIKE ME - A Mother-Daughter Story of Substance Abuse and Recovery

By Karen Franklin and Lauren King

Told through the voices of a mother-daughter writing team, Addicted Like Me offers a detailed personal account of addiction and how it affects the entire family. Karen Franklin recounts her own past as a young addict, her struggle with the alcoholism of her parents, and ultimately her husband’s and children’s addictions. Lauren King, Franklin’s daughter, tells of her own spiral of addiction—from marijuana and alcohol to crystal meth.

As a valuable complement to their own stories of addiction and recovery, Franklin and King also provide advice and resources for parents dealing with addiction. In this prescriptive section they discuss how to identify the signs of addiction, where to turn for help, and how to understand this disease. Told from the trustworthy perspective of two people who have been there, these hard-won tips are preventative in their efforts to help parents help their kids at an early phase, rather than glossing over what may be calls for help. Addicted Like Me tackles the long-lasting effects of addiction in many shapes, and provides a mother-daughter story of recovery that is sure to resonate with parents and children facing similar issues.

Order on Amazon today!

Sue Scheff: Shaping Youth

Using the Power to Media for positive change!

Check out this informational website, Shaping Youth, that offers fantastic book reviews for parents, articles that provide insights to parenting today and much more!

Follow them on Twitter @ShapingYouth

Sue Scheff: Odd Girl Speaks Out: Girls Write about Bullies, Cliques, Popularity, and Jealousy

By Rachel Simmons

The national bestseller Odd Girl Out exposed a hidden culture of cruelty that had always been quietly endured by American girls. As Rachel Simmons toured the country, these girls found their voices and spoke to her about their pain. They wanted to talk, and they weren’t the only ones. Parents, teachers, counselors, and young women came to Rachel with heart-wrenching personal stories that could no longer be kept secret.

Here, Rachel creates a safe place for girls to talk, sound off, and find each other. The result is a collection of deeply personal accounts of the lives of adolescent girls. Candid and disarming, creative and expressive, and always exceptionally self-aware, these poems, songs, confessions, and essays form a journal of American girlhood. They illuminate both the power of cruelty and the inspiring resilience of the girls it has marked. Odd Girl Out helped girls find their voices; Odd Girl Speaks Out helps them tell their stories.

Order on Amazon today.

Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachelJSimmons

Sue Scheff: eSchool News - Technology News for Today's K-20 Educator

eSchool News covers education technology in all its aspects--from legislation and litigation, to case studies, to purchasing practices and new products. First published in March of 1998, eSchool News is a monthly print newspaper providing the news and information necessary to help K-20 decision-makers successfully use technology and the internet to transform North America's schools and colleges and achieve their educational goals. The print newspaper is read by more than 300,000 school leaders, and a companion web site—eSchool News Online (http://www.eschoolnews.com) is visited by more than 300,000 unique visitors each month, including 135,000 registered members.

eSchool News is a marketing solutions company serving the education technology industry. Throughout our 25-year history, we have created the most comprehensive portfolio of products and services in the industry. We offer access to the broadest reach and deepest range of education technology professionals worldwide across the entire technology spectrum: the creators, sellers, and buyers of technology around the world.

Every day, our editorial, sales, and marketing professionals share their content expertise to help our customers grow their businesses. We leverage the immediacy of online, the networking of face-to-face opportunities, the expert interaction of web seminars, and the breadth and depth of print to create compelling, focused media that delivers measurable results.

Mission

eSchool News — helping educators succeed by;

•Providing the latest news, resources and reports on the applications of technology to improve learning
•Providing resources and tools to evaluate the funding, purchasing and the evaluation of technology in the education systems
•Assisting educators in forming collaborative alliances and providing a valuable resource bank for the exchange of information, ideas and best practices.

Sue Scheff: The Curse of the Good Girl; Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence

By Rachel Simmons

In The Curse of the Good Girl, bestselling author Rachel Simmons argues that in lionizing the Good Girl we are teaching girls to embrace a version of selfhood that sharply curtails their power and potential. Unerringly nice, polite, modest, and selfless, the Good Girl is a paradigm so narrowly defined that it's unachievable. When girls inevitably fail to live up-experiencing conflicts with peers, making mistakes in the classroom or on the playing field-they are paralyzed by self-criticism, stunting the growth of vital skills and habits. Simmons traces the poisonous impact of Good Girl pressure on development and provides a strategy to reverse the tide. At once expository and prescriptive, The Curse of the Good Girl is a call to arms from a new front in female empowerment.

Order today and empower yourself and your daughter! Check out Rachel's other outstanding books!

Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachelJSimmons

Sue Scheff: If Hurricanes were Candy Canes

As a Florida resident that survived Hurricane Andrew (and Wilma), this book has more meaning for those in Florida and other areas of our country that are struck by hurricanes. As we are in Hurricane season again, and if you have children, this may be the time to pick up this educational book.

By Jayne Bonilla

Jayne Bonilla also survived these hurricanes and wrote a wonderful book to help our children cope with their fears and anxieties.

A book that gently embraces children as it allows them to cope with their fears, concerns and emotions resulting in the aftermath of a hurricane. It's creative message is one of hope and appreciation and reminds families, that the human spirit can never be blown away. This whimsical rhyming story celebrates neighbors helping neighbors and the value of "talking" as a means to rebuilding.

Find on Amazon today! Follow Jayne on Twitter @JayneBonilla

Sue Scheff: Too Close for Comfort? Questioning the Intimacy of Today's New Mother-Daughter Relationship

By Linda Perlman Gordon and Susan Morris Shaffer

Dr. Michele Borba wrote a fantastic review on this newly released book about today's mother-daughter relationships.

No relationship is more complicated than the one between mothers and daughters- especially today, when a cultural shift can cause a longer period of time of overlapping interests before the traditional adult markers of marriage and family.

As a result, these young women are developing deeper bonds with their own mothers, a relationship that sometimes mimics friendship. But are these close bonds healthy? Is it time to cut the umbilical cord?

In this eye-opening book, Linda Perlman Gordon and Susan Morris Shaffer explore the modern mother-daughter relationship in all its glorious complexity. Combining a brilliant sociological analysis with fascinating stories of real- life women, Too Close for Comfort? provides a rich, provocative look at the ways mothers and daughters get it right, how they get it wrong-and how they can happily maintain being friends as well as mothers and daughters.

Order on Amazon today.

Follow Linda on Twitter @LPGordon

Sue Scheff: Heather O's Good Soup!

Want to feel good, inspired and start your day in a positive direction? Visit "Good Soup!" This website offers good news, good food, and all around good living! Start your day with a dose of good soup! Or if your day is not going so well, drop in and see what Heather is cooking!

Welcome to Good Soup!

For some time I’ve had a blog called “Good Soup”. I felt that there are plenty of places to get negative information! So, I wanted to offer a place that you could go to feed some “good food” to your mind, your spirit and your soul!My goal was/is to provide you with inspiring and empowering thoughts, ideas, good news, good stories, and “good information” that will help you live a better life!~

I also had a “business blog”, which was designed to help teach people how to connect with who they are, their purpose, passion, and talent, and build a life, business, and brand around “YOU”.
That’s all “good” right? So why have them separate?

I believe that we aren’t one person in business, and another in ourpersonal lives, and what we are passionate about. We are like an onion with many layers (although I prefer to think of myself as a bouquet!) So why not put it all together in one convenient place!

I hope that you enjoy the site, and find the information, stories, etc., useful!

I will soon be adding blog radio, webinars, and other “good stuff” , so stay tuned!

Follow Heather on Twitter at @HeatherO

Join her new Facebook Fan Page!