Book Review for Parents and Adults Working with Youth

Ask Me Where I’m Going

This small but powerful book focuses on the very simple ways adults can reach out to teens to let them know they care about them. The reading is quick and easy. Teen voices actually are suggesting to adults, how to reach out and connect with them! For example, for offering support to teens, they advise “Don’t yell at me for making mistakes”. For empowerment, teens suggest “Take me seriously, acknowledge my opinions”. This pocket size book offers a window into the hearts and minds of what teenagers want to tell adults today- honest and direct words that provide acceptance, guidance, and love to all teens! You will enjoy the short direct statements offered by teens!

Recommendations: Parents of elementary, middle, high school students.

 

Conversations on the Go
By Mary Ackerman

This gem of a book provides several examples of how to begin conversations with teens. All children benefit when they have caring adults in their lives. How do children know when adults care? Conversations are part of letting others know we care, which are easy when we have relationships with others. Often, adults are not sure how to begin talking with teens. It really is easy! Some examples in the book suggest when adults smile first at teens, this makes a real connection and they notice! Adults who ask the young boy or girl at the grocery store how they are doing, makes a huge impact on that teen! Asking a teen when their next soccer game is and how they did at their last game, is another way to simply, start a conversation! This small book provides one-two sentence examples of conversation starters for adults to ask teens or, teens to ask adults. A few examples are: Who asks for your opinions and advice? Do you believe there is too much pressure on kids today? Who is your favorite neighbor and why?

Recommendations: Parents of elementary, middle/ high school students - great gift for any parent or grandparent or any caring adult!

 

Parenting at the Speed of Teens
By Peter L. Benson, Ph.D.

Parenting strategies are highlighted in Parenting at the Speed of Teens with a very honest and practical approach to the real issues that teens and parents face every day.

Curfews, adolescent relationships, stress, homework, grades, schedules and the more serious issues of divorce, substance abuse, depression and racism that families may be facing are addressed in the book. It utilizes a positive approach towards exploring ways teens and adults can interact together to address the issues. Rather than looking at the normal adolescent everyday ups and downs as problems, Peter Benson encourages using the asset lens to approach discussions between adults and teens regarding adolescent issues as a way to communicate positively about what is really at the heart of what is
going on with your teen, and/or you.

Recommendation: Parents of middle and high school students

 

In Good Company: Tools To Help Youth and Adults Talk
By Franklin W. Nelson, D. Min.

This workbook is an excellent resource for adults who are working with teens/youth. If you are in a position where youth and adults share guided conversations, such as clubs, community organizations, PTA’s, after-school programs, recreation programs, youth-serving programs, mentoring programs, schools, congregations, asset-building initiatives, this book is a valuable tool. It is a resource of activities and ideas of interactive fun ways to connect and begin communicating with youth, adults, and groups.

Recommendation: Group Facilitators working with adults/youth

 

Tag, You’re It! 50 Ways to Connect with Young People
By Kathleen Kimball-Baker

Are you wishing you could think of a way to strike up a conversation with the new neighbor who just moved in next door? Do you want to invite your office to a cookout and their families, but are not sure how to entertain the kids? Do you sometimes feel a loss for words when you are with your teens’ friends? This book is filled with 50 ideas about how to engage in a meaningful relationship with teens or other adults.
Other “Tag It” ideas in the book are: Talk about Money, Meet Their Friends, Be a Rock, Walk Your Talk, Trust Her, Speak Up, Know the Curfew, Laugh, Share Your Favorite Music, Listen.

Recommendation: Group Facilitators working with adults, middle/high school youth

 

 

When Parents Ask for Help: Everyday Issues through an Asset-Building Lens
By Renie Howard

This is an excellent resource for anyone working with groups of adults, in particular, parents. Issues are addressed that parents, families, and youth can relate to in a matter-of-fact approach. Topics are discussed that teens face with parents everyday, such as, homework hints, stress management, dating, relationship issues, and time management to name a few! Parents and teens begin to approach resolutions to issues, versus problems, through asset-building strategies and positive communication.

Recommendation: Parents of middle and high school students

 

~Book reviews by Pat Heineman,
Connections Trainer,
Howard County Connections~

All books can be ordered through the Search Institute catalog at www.search-institue.org or can also be purchased through Borders Books and/or Barnes & Noble which give a 20% discount to teachers.