Sue Scheff: Sorry!

Sorry!
By Trudy Ludwig
Illustrations by Maurie J. Manning

Have you noticed how apologizing has become almost a lost art these days? A great number of adults lately (not kids!) seem to have forgotten how–from government officials to movie stars to plagarizing authors to “poor-sport” athletes. And if the offender does give an apology, notice how it often sounds insincere?

How are kids going to learn this great skill unless we model it ourselves?

Rarely do children’s books model for young readers personal accountability and responsibility the way Sorry! does. Trudy’s thoughtful, one-of-a-kind story on the power of apology shows how a child can take ownership of a hurtful behavior and then right his or her wrong.

The story also offers invaluable life lessons on empathy and compassion to children (and adults) alike. Trudy’s story helps kids see from the other side — how their actions were hurtful and why they should make amends.

Pick up a copy! Use it in your classroom, Boys and Girls Club, or with your kids at home. It’s one of those perfect books you want to keep on your shelf for the perfect moment.

Review by Michele Borba, Parenting Expert

Sue Scheff: Kids Magazine for Girls - Smart Girls Know

There’s a new magazine on the block, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for more substance than your standard teen mag fare, but still with a cool, fun design and great content.

From the website, “Kiki Magazine is for girls who love life, appreciate creativity, and recognize good ideas. A Kiki reader thinks for herself, has her own look, and is on her way to being a confident, strong, and smart young woman. She’s a girl with style and substance!” Style and substance…what’s not to like about that?

In each issue of Kiki, which currently comes out four times a year, you’ll find articles and info on fashion, history, design, designers, accessories, and biographies; tips on using all kinds of different art tools, sewing and create-your-own projects; a look at creativity and culture in different countries; a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry; articles about grooming, health, and exercise; book reviews, recipes, and reader profiles; and games, puzzles, quizzes, and design-your-own activities.

Besides the truly great content of Kiki, what I love most about this magazine is its great design and accessibility. It’s gorgeous to look at, easy to peruse through, and it is ad-free, so there’s no worry about being bombarded with media images that might contradict the empowering content you’ll find inside.

One more thing I love about the Spring 2010 issue? It features my book In Their Shoes: Extraordinary Women Describe Their Amazing Careers in its Book Club section. Thanks Kiki!

To check it out, visit the Kiki Magazine website where you can learn more about the current issue and subscribe, or go to your local Barnes & Noble or Borders (if they’re not already carrying it, ask them to!).

Source: Smart Girls Know - by Deborah Reber

Sue Scheff: Book Therapy: A High School Reading List

Source: Education.com (Follow them on Twitter @education_com)

by Amanda Morin

We've all heard the stereotypical lines about teenagers: they have it easy, they're spoiled, irrational, troubled... Sometimes it's hard to look at the multi-pierced, text messaging, iPod listening, PDA toting people our teens have become and see the kids underneath. But, under the armor of high-couture and high-tech are young adults with real fears and concerns unique to their generation. And, while the last thing on their minds might be reading, it may actually be the best way for our youth to find some comfort and support.

Mark Twain once said, "Books are for people who wish they were somewhere else." In the halls of our high schools, you'll find scores of people who wish they were somewhere else. You will also find a generation in need of literary heroes. The 60's had Catcher in the Rye's Holden Caulfield, the 70's had Go Ask Alice's Alice and the 90's had Girl, Interrupted's Susanna Kaysen as bibliotherapeutic role models; our kids need some too.

As long as there has been engaging literature, young adults have been engaging in developmental bibliotherapy. That is, teenagers have picked up books, identified with the character and his plight and, through that connection, gained some emotional insight into their own lives. Ideally they’ve also learned and grown from the experience. However, with the exception of school assignments, teenagers choose their own reading material. So how do we guide them toward bibliotherapy without encroaching on their independence?

To start with, parents and teachers need to work together to make sure high schoolers have bibliotherapeutic encounters with literature. Teachers can help by turning to current, well-written young adult fiction as classroom tools. Parents need to provide an appropriate home library and lead by example. Parents who turn to books to learn productive ways to cope are likely to have children who do the same.

Teenagers certainly have tough issues on their minds. Substance abuse, hyper-sexualization, academic pressure and violence are daily pressures our young adults face. Luckily, there are many good novels and non-fiction books that teens can pick up to know they are not alone. Here are some suggestions:

Drugs and Alcohol

•Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood by Korin Zailickas. Zilicakas' story of beginning to use alcohol to self-medicate at 14, and her struggle to give it up at 23.
•The Beast by Walter Dean Myers. A teenager tries to save his runaway, drug-addicted girlfriend.
Academic and Life Pressure

•Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson. A high school senior loses control over her life as she deals with college acceptances and other life issues.
•Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on the Tough Stuff by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Kimberly Kirberger. Short inspirational stories for teenagers, focusing on difficult issues.
Violence

•Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn. A 16-year-old boy’s story of his abusive relationship with his girlfriend.
•Bang! by Sharon Flake. The effect of gun-violence on a teenager and his friends.
In the end, books aren't a panacea for the trials of high school. But they can certainly serve as non-judgmental and informative friends to our worried teenagers.

Take a moment to review both parent and teen books here: http://www.helpyourteens.com/books.php

Sue Scheff: Teen Ink - What Matters

Written by Teens - Telling it like it really is...

Teen Ink: What Matters is an uplifting book of hope, reflection and inspiration that will resonate with teens.

With eloquent prose, insightful poetry, art and photography, these teens present timeless values through their own experiences and explore principles such as, "It's better to give than to receive," "If at first you don't succeed . . ." and "Honesty is the best policy." In Teen Ink: What Matters, you'll find fresh and honest interpretations of these and other ideals that we all try to live by. In addition, teen authors and artists journey into waters filled with forgiveness, generosity, courage, love and bravery through personal expressions about tough challenges, family, friends and everyday events.

Check it out on Amazon - click in the Amazon box on the sidebar.

Sue Scheff: Reading is Fundamental! Get Ready for Summer Reading

Source: Reading Is Fundamental

Topics: Teen Years (13-19), Top Middle School/Teen Books, more...Preteen Years (9-13), Top High School/Teen Books

Choose books that preteens and teens like:

Preteens and teens are increasingly interested in local, national, and international current events.

Read editorials and articles from the newspaper and news magazines.

Preteens and teens question authority. Read classic and modern novels that deal with 'big' issues such as when the needs of a community are more important than those of individuals.

Preteens and teens are striving for independence, yet still want to be connected to their families.

Read your favorite books and explain why they are important to you and read books that let you share laughter, a good mystery, an action-packed adventure, a science fiction journey.

Preteens and teens are gradually learning to think abstractly and understand the reasons behind views that differ from their own.

Read books that challenge them to think 'out of the box' and see the world beyond their daily experiences.

Preteens and teens are thinking about what they will do in their lives -- college, careers, and more. Read books that introduce a wide range of opportunities and experiences.

Reprinted with the permission of Reading is Fundamental, Inc. ©2007 Reading Is Fundamental, Inc.

Visit http://www.education.com/ for more great parenting articles like this!

Summer Reading Tips for Parents

It is summer and a time to encourage your kids to read! Help make reading fun for your kids!

Source: National Center for Learning Disabilities

Summer shouldn’t mean taking a break from learning, especially when it comes to reading. Studies show that most students experience a loss of reading skills over the summer months, but children who continue to read actually gain skills. During the summer parents can help children sustain (and even bolster) reading skills, strengthen their vocabulary and reinforce the benefits of reading for enjoyment.

Read Entire Article Here: http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Summer_Reading_Tips/

Sue Scheff: Summer Reading for you and your kids

Summer is almost here and what a better time to catch up on relaxation and reading!

Go to your local library with your kids or a bookstore and find some educational and fun books to read. Health Communications Inc. www.hcibooks.com offers a wide variety of wonderful books for both parents and kids today.

Sue Scheff - Off the Books - Parents Looking for a Fun Summer Camp for your kids?

It is the time of year that many summer programs are actually filling up! If you child is staying home for the summer, check out many good books for them to read! Health Communications Inc. - www.hci-online.com is the home of Chicken Soup for the Soul and they have some a fantastic Kids and Teens selection.

Finding a good summer programs, such as Leadership Programs, can help your child build their self esteem to make better choices as well as motivate them to reach their highest potential.
If your child is starting to struggling in school, whether it is peer pressure or other issues, you may want to consider summer alternatives.

CAMP FINDERS is a fantastic resource for parents and a free service to help you find the perfect camp to fit your child's interest.

Visit http://www.helpyourteens.com/