Book Review – Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just for Preteens

Chicken Soup for the Soul Just for Preteens

• Paperback: 390 pages
• Publisher: CSS Publishing (2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN: 978-1-935096-73-3
• SMRP: $14.95

Tween years are scary, embarrassing, awkward. Physical appearance, athletic prowess, and school studies tug at preteens. They are at a crossroads. Insecurities tug at them; best friends are their saviors.

Teacher Erin Solej’s story Found is about bullying, aggressive behavior that damages those involved emotionally even physically. New seventh grader David started his new year with a clean slate. Accepted by the popular crowd, he gained confidence. When he saw Dante and the team bullying Tim, he intervened. Dante’s crowd retaliated and he was alone. Only time would prove or disprove the truth in Solej’s conclusion, “What is popular isn’t always right, that doing what is right is sometimes difficult and doesn’t always bring immediate reward, and that loneliness doesn’t have to last forever.”

I cried reading Better to Have Loved. I identified with the author. I too had lost a cat, my first cat Jezebel and it hurt. Sara Drimmie’s memory of her cat Unita is touching and poignant. Forced to put to sleep her diabetic cat, she said goodbye, stayed to the end, and cried. The lesson that it is better to know how love feels than to have never experienced it before comes with growing up.

I myself decided to be a teacher when I first started school. My own first teachers were my heroes. So when I came to Tom Krause’s poem Gifts I saw it as recognition for all those who open worlds to their students. The author created a powerful message in the rhythms and rhymes of his four line stanzas. Reading, art, teamsmanship, and belief in self make each of us grow.

The 101 stories of inspiration and support for tweens in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just for Preteens touches reality. Kids ten through twelve especially need to feel good about themselves, discover life, and learn to do what is right. Knowing that they are not alone and others have problems is a big step forward toward maturity.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.