Quote
of the Week
by Paul
Harding
Showing posts with label Truth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Truth. Show all posts
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Friday, May 8, 2015
"The Truth" by Barbara Becker Holstein
REVIEW and GIVEAWAY
The Truth,
Diary of a Gutsy Tween
(Truth Book 1)
Diary of a Gutsy Tween
(Truth Book 1)
by Barbara Becker Holstein
The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween is the first book in the Truth series by Barbara Becker Holstein. Also available: Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen (read my blog post).
The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween is currently on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The tour stops here today for my review, an excerpt, and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
"I hate Angela and I wish she would move away tomorrow!" "I get so worried when I hear my parents fighting at night." "My mother thinks my crush is silly. I know I am in love!" "I have so many questions about growing up. Who will answer them?" "I feel so awful when Jake makes fun of me." "When I grow up I going to remember how to have fun with my kids and never look away." Growing up is tough. Adults don't always understand you (even though they were once kids), and children today face increasing pressure to be, look, or act a certain way. Written in the voice of a girl on the cusp of becoming a teenager, The Truth provides young girls with an opportunity to see how a girl, who is in many ways like themselves, handles her toughest problems and most personal thoughts. Each new page brings forth a discussion to help girls handle everyday problems: How do you survive a bully? How do you handle a crush on a boy? What can you do about relentless teasing by your peers? What really matters as you grow older?
In a positive and supportive diary-entry format, Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein encourages tween girls to carry the most precious parts of themselves into adulthood. A great book for mothers and daughters to read together, The Truth is aimed to improve communication, understanding, and self-esteem for young girls as they enter the rocky road of teenager-dom.
Book Video
Excerpt
Introduction
When I was a girl I knew so many things. I knew a lot of important stuff that my parents and other grown-ups had forgotten. I promised myself that I would find a way to hold on to my knowledge.
Then I grew up and became a teacher and a psychologist. I got married and had children. At work, as a psychologist, I listen to a lot of people’s problems - children and grown-ups. I always try to help them.
One of the things I do is to point out to them what is right with them, rather than what is wrong. Another thing I do is to teach them how to have more fun. I also help them to remember their own wisdom and the truths that they already know in their hearts.
I decided to find a way to combine what I already knew as a girl with the knowledge I now have as a psychologist. I had to find a fun way to do this that would really help girls and mothers recognize that what we know growing up is just as important as what we learn later in life.
One day, the "girl" just appeared. She knew what to say and how to say it. She did a much better job of sharing the truth than I ever could have imagined. So I just let her go for it.
This book is her account of the truth. I hope you enjoy it. Remember your promises to yourself when you grow up and don’t forget to listen to your kids someday.
Bye, I better get out of the way and let the girl begin ...
Praise for the Book
"I felt the author did a superb job at reaching out to young girls and touching upon many sensitive subjects that many tweens would be embarrassed to talk about. Growing up is never easy, for any age girl or boy. The Truth: Diary of a Gusty Tween reads as kind of a tool or helping hand if you will for all young girl growing up and who often feel clueless. I feel all Mothers should definitely read this book with or to their daughter(s). I also really loved the small illustrations among the pages. It really helps the book read more like a tween wrote it rather than an adult. Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein writes so simplistically and child-like which for me really gives the book the sensation of actually being written from a tweens POV. Which of course is the point. ;) Every young girl everywhere should pick up a copy of this book! Beg your parents if you have too. hehe ;) Even as an adult I totally enjoyed reading it!" ~ Becky @ Bittersweet Enchantment
"The incredible in-depth approach that Barbara Becker Holstein has for understanding and relating to 'Tweens' is simply incredible! This book is a MUST read if you are the parent of 'that age' … so that your child can relate and apply the skills that her book shows! Each chapter approaches a new emotional journey that is and has been inevitable in ALL of our lives … and Dr. Becker Holstein shows the reader how to capture and learn the correct next steps. She seems as if she has stepped into their shoes … and simply and powerfully shows them how to 'take the correct next steps'. Every book she writes is a wonderful journey of discovering yourself and learning that there are so many more chapters awaiting us … at any stage in life. Please keep writing Barbara … you are a valuable tool for any generation and a very talented professional!" ~ Eileen Stong
"The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween, by Dr. Barbara Holstein is a bittersweet adventure through the ups and downs of a young girl's tween years. Her diary reflects the everyday struggles that we all can identify with when we were that age. It's universal themes and ageless messages will appeal to young girls today as well as to women of all ages! I enjoyed reading this expanded version of the original book, The Truth, I'm a girl, I'm smart and I know everything, as it gave me a deeper and even more poignant look at how many of us feel and have felt as we struggled to grow up. I'll giving my daughter, age 11, the expanded version to read now and when she is done I'm hoping we will have some good discussions around many of the topics brought up in the book." ~ Diane Beloncik
My Review
By Lynda Dickson
A young girl shares her secret diary, in which she reveals the "truth" about her life from ages 11 to 13. She tells us about her family, her best friend Angela, the new boy Paul who she has a crush on, her inability to communicate with her mother, her annoying six-year-old brother, getting picked last for the kickball team, and even a few "gross" personal secrets.
As you can see, this book covers a diverse range of topics. It will open up the lines of discussion for parents to talk to their tween girls about getting their first bra, having a crush on a boy, swearing, parents fighting, younger siblings, mean girls, independence, wearing makeup, self-esteem, fighting with their best friend, animal cruelty, the Holocaust, school grades, keeping healthy, menstruation, the fear of growing up, death, suicide, moving home, coping with homework, taking drugs, and body image.
I believe this is an updated version of the book originally published in 2007. While there are many modern references (e.g., computers, Facebook, cell phones, email), there is also reference to a phone with a dial (not buttons) and having to retype a three-page paper (not necessary if you're using a computer). The books the girl reads are also really old (e.g., Nancy Drew, Little House on the Prairie, Black Beauty) and, even though this is somewhat explained later in the book, it still feels like this is more what the author herself would have read as a child.
I encountered a few other problems: the diary entries are a bit too far apart to be real (e.g., the girl skips over Christmas two years in a row); the girl's friends should have come over on July 17 when she was going to teach them how to bake brownies, but this didn't happen until August 7); there are unanswered questions, such as how her fight with Angela is resolved; the girl only mentions her new friend Dawn a few weeks after they first meet; from the beginning of the diary to December 5, each entry ends with a "truth", then there is no mention of the "truth" until June 30 the next year.
As an adult I found the book to be a bit contrived and preachy, but it is probably well-suited to the 10 to 13 young adult target audience. It brings back memories of first love and the intense emotions of friendship and wanting to fit in. The story is followed by discussion questions for kids.
From the Author
I have been a positive psychologist in private practice for the past thirty years. In the course of working with my clients, I originated the idea of The Enchanted Self® a positive psychology therapy where I teach people how to recognize and utilize their strengths, talents, skills and even lost potential. I have developed a number of methods, including using our memories to rediscover what is right about ourselves and our lives, rather than what went wrong, helping people to overcome adversity, experience positive emotions and live the good life!
Since developing this concept, I've been able to use many tools to bring the Enchanted Self to everyone, particularly women and girls. I've written many books, starting with The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy, and then Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is YOU! My books for girls are very popular, as they are great fictional reads and also help deal with many of the questions that trouble kids as they move into the tween and teen years. The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween and Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen are the first two books in this series.
I really love to teach and educate about happiness and how to benefit from positive psychology in ways that let us lead lives of meaning and happiness. You can find me all over the place on the web.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon or B&N gift card.
Links
Friday, April 24, 2015
"Secrets" by Barbara Becker Holstein
GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY
Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen
(Truth Book 2)
(Truth Book 2)
by Barbara Becker Holstein
Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen is the second book in the Truth series by Barbara Becker Holstein. Also available: The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween.
Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen is currently on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The tour stops here today for a guest post by the author, an excerpt, and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
Following in the footsteps of The Truth, Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen begins as the thirteen-year-old protagonist makes a move with her family to a new town. She has grown up a lot over the past year - and has made a list of everything that’s important to her now that she doesn’t want to forget when she gets older. But now, as she enters her early teen years, she begins to write down the secrets she wants to keep - and the ones she has no one to tell about. From new school experiences to a new baby in the family to a new crush, this new teen finally feels empowered on making her own decisions with confidence and keeping those secrets she holds dearest for herself.
In a positive and supportive diary-entry format, Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein encourages tween and early teen girls to carry the most precious parts of themselves into adulthood. A great book for mothers and daughters to read together, Secrets is aimed to improve communication, understanding, and self-esteem for young girls as they enter the rocky road of teenager-dom.
Book Video
Excerpt
Date: December 2
Dear Diary,
I have a secret and it’s been eating me up inside, so I have to tell you. I lied to Angela. I told her I had a terrible sore throat and couldn’t come for the weekend. She said she was sorry and that she would invite me again.
I felt terrible, and then my throat really began to hurt. But I just couldn’t go to Springport for a whole weekend - even though I miss being around Angela.
Now that I have best friends here, I don’t feel the same way I used to about going back to visit. And I didn’t know how to tell Angela that. I could tell when we talked on the phone that she really wanted me to come. And she sent me a new selfie, holding a sign that reads I Miss You! She even told me that she doesn’t have a new best friend since I left. She really misses me. She also told me that Paul is in lots of her classes and he asks if she’s talked to me. How could I tell her I’m in love with Rob and don’t care about Paul anymore? How could I tell her that I have new best friends and want to stay here with them?
I did go to Sally’s instead, and we had the best time. Her mother ordered pizza for us and we drank Coke. We watched television and made popcorn and did each other’s hair with all of Sally’s older sister’s hair products we found in the bathroom. I look silly with curly hair. We kept laughing and falling on the floor and giggling, and we played this fun game that Jackie learned in camp last summer. We all lay down on the floor and we each put our head on someone else’s belly. Someone says, “Ha-ha,” and then the next person says, “Haha-ha,” until everyone is laughing. Then you can’t stop laughing because the belly you are on is bouncing all around under your head.
Sally’s mom got really angry at all the noise we were making, and we had to turn off the lights and pretend to go to sleep. I hardly slept a wink, though. I was so excited and having so much fun with my new friends. I was tired the next morning and really did have a sore throat when I went home, but I didn’t care. It was worth it to have so much fun.
Praise for the Book
"Secrets: Diary of a Gutsy Teen is a great Mother-Daughter read and a wonderful catalyst for conversation. In fact there are even Reader Discussion Questions provided at the end of The Girl’s diary entries to initiate both inner and outer dialogues. Entertaining as well as enlightening, Secrets: Diary of a Gutsy Teen is an excellent choice for individual reading as well as book clubs!" ~ Rev. Jeanette M. Pintar
"I wish I could meet the Author, I would give her a big hug and thank her, it's evident that she knows what she's talking about. If you want to understand a little more your tween or bring back old memories, I highly recommend you this book." ~ Julia
"This is a 5 star book that should be in every school library and public library in this country! Makes a great gift too." ~ Patricia Matlock
"This is a great book for all new teens as well as mothers and daughters to read together. The book even has discussion questions at the end making it a great for book clubs. I highly recommend this delightful book." ~ Lorraine M. Smith
"My 13 year-old daughter just read this book and she could not put it down. Over the years trying to get her interested in reading has been difficult. Not this book. From day one she was indulged in it. She could not stop." ~ Marco Viera
Guest Post by the Author
One day I decided to find a way to combine what I already knew as a girl with the knowledge I have as a psychologist. That decision led to a girl coming to life as the main character in The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween.
She kept a diary and had a lot to say. She knew a lot about important things that many adults brush aside or forget. Many of you told me that you identified with many things that happened to her. You related to her honesty and to how real she was. Many of you shared her awareness of the truth. You wanted more books about the girl so you could be with her as she grows up.
As The Truth ends, the girl’s life is changing radically: she is moving to a new town, her mom is having a baby, and her crush on Paul is just about over. She has solved a mystery and has developed a secret way to hold onto the best of herself as she grows up.
In Secrets, the girl is back again with lots more to talk about in her diary. A new school, a new baby in the family, new friends, everything has changed for her. There is a new crush about to happen, and lots of adventures. There are new best friends and some unsettling social dilemmas. Some of these dilemmas involve boys. There are secrets to share, and secrets to keep to herself. There are problems to solve, and ... But I had better get out of the girl’s way. She really wants to begin.
Oh, I forgot to tell you the most important source of my inspiration for Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen, is the girl's insistence that I write these books. Just as your own child will nag and nag you until you do something you promised, this girl just will not leave me alone. She knows a lot about growing up and she insists that I find a way to share her knowledge with others so that girls can grow up strong and healthy. She is amazing, but then again she whispers to me that all of us girls are pretty amazing!
From the Author
I have been a positive psychologist in private practice for the past thirty years. In the course of working with my clients, I originated the idea of The Enchanted Self® a positive psychology therapy where I teach people how to recognize and utilize their strengths, talents, skills and even lost potential. I have developed a number of methods, including using our memories to rediscover what is right about ourselves and our lives, rather than what went wrong, helping people to overcome adversity, experience positive emotions and live the good life!
Since developing this concept, I've been able to use many tools to bring the Enchanted Self to everyone, particularly women and girls. I've written many books, starting with The Enchanted Self, A Positive Therapy, and then Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is YOU! My books for girls are very popular, as they are great fictional reads and also help deal with many of the questions that trouble kids as they move into the tween and teen years. The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween and Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen are the first two books in this series.
I really love to teach and educate about happiness and how to benefit from positive psychology in ways that let us lead lives of meaning and happiness. You can find me all over the place on the web.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon or B&N gift card.
Links
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)