The Seven Best Things Smart Teens Do

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 300 pages
• Published by: HCI Teens September 1, 2000
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 155874777X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1558747777
• Book Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 14.4 ounces

Product Review
According to authors John C. Friel and Linda D. Friel, all that is confused and painful about being a teenager today is captured in the "struggle to join grace and power." Through stories, examples, and carefully researched therapeutic techniques and theories, the authors write convincingly of teens' ability to succeed in today's world. They offer seven tips for young people--and those who care for them or work with them--to ponder and learn from: become competent, master your feelings, break the silence, get healthy power, face the serious stuff, find an identity, stake out the extremes.

Never patronizing--on the contrary, at times the writing seems almost too sophisticated for younger readers--the authors are thorough and thoughtful, presenting teens with options and offering awesome support for some of the most difficult years. They address such heavy issues as abuse, eating disorders, depression, suicide, and violence, as well as the somewhat more abstract (yet no less critical) concerns, such as shame, power struggles, and the relative risks of the self-esteem movement. An interesting and possibly life-altering read for teens and those who know and love them by the authors of the national bestseller, The 7 Worst Things (Good) Parents Do. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up-Although this book contains a wealth of information and advice, it is not well organized. The first chapter leaves readers wondering when the authors are ever going to get to the point as they ramble on with anecdotes, jokes, and stories about criminals or people who are angry or never grew up. They do get there in Part II, where they finally identify the seven "things": including mastering feelings, learning how to make things happen, and finding an identity. All are worthy life skills, and the authors handle them well, generally speaking. However, they have opted for a kind of chattiness that can be distracting, and that at times is just plain silly (as in the parable of the two dogs, Sam and Abby, who not only know how to operate a laptop, but also hold philosophical discussions with one another). Nevertheless, the information is worthwhile, and if teens are motivated to read it, they just might find what they need to know to ease their life's journey.
Marilyn Heath, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Reader Reviews
This book is deceptively simple but is actually very profound. It is written by two practicing therapists and sometimes it strays a bit into "therapy" but it offers teens and their parents a non-threatening way to look at the teen years. Both teens and their parents will get something valuable from this book, but teens will do well to read it. It is hardly a recipe book but offers some very good common sense advice, advice that has been born out by scientific research. What I liked the best is that it does not insult teen intelligence. It provides references for those inclined to do their own research, but it is not necessary to do so to get something out of this book. Most importantly, it provides teens with the knowledge that they are not alone or not as unique as they might think. Most of teen troubles are known and have been studied to some degree. This book should be bring some relief to teens not sure about who they are or where they are going. It is slow in starting but picks up if you stick with it.