Youth Books

I read this book and it really made an impact on me as an adult youth minister. I definitely plan on using this within small groups for my youth group (great discussion questions!), most specifically with my leaders as a sort of training on how I want them to behave and act. I highly recommend this book!

Insightfully written by Frank Mercadante (whose experience in youth ministry training extends to being the executive director of the not-for-profit corporation Cultivation Ministries), Positively Dangerous is ideal means to help spread the passion of faith among teenagers today. Stressing love for God, love for one another, authenticity, integrity, and making the most of evangelistic opportunities, Positively Dangerous is an enthusiastic guide incorporating mentoring, peer training, and small-class activities. Ideal as a manual for adults working with youth, Positively Dangerous is especially recommended reading for young people seeking to embracing and sharing the Good News within the context of the Catholic community.

We've all heard the expression, "You have to walk the talk." In other words, practice what you profess to believe. I liked the book because Mercadante makes a good case in Chapter 8 on "talking the walk," reminding us that evangelization is an important part of the Christian life. Too many of us are 'closet Christians' afraid to let our faith show in even the smallest ways, like praying before meals in restaurants. I like the book because it challenges us to talk the walk, and gives guidelines on how to do it.

While this is a book directed at teens, it offeres a strong reminder of what anyone can do to be a person of faith whose faith will make a difference in the lives of others. I was particularly taken with the chapter that reminded me that in order to have a strong personal relationship with the Lord that I needed to spend more time in prayer. I would strongly recommend that anyone who is interested in strengthening their faith read this book. It is a quick, easy read that will make a difference in your life and the lives of those you give a copy to as a gift.

This book will inspire you to live the great, impactful, positive and giving life all of us of faith believe in. It inspires the reader to strive for great things. It also shows us how that life is a collection of small, wonderful choices we make in every day, and every interaction. Upon reading this book you will want to share it with all your friends of faith. I ordered several copies for friends after reading only the first 3 chapters! I especially liked the fact that it's stories apply to people of faith across many religions.

This book is awesome, Even though she is a christian she doesnt come off super religious or strict about things. Her advice is really practical and down to earth while still incorporating and not compromising christian values. This book is an easy read, like im having a conversation with a girlfriend. I read almost the whole book in the same day and im not big on reading...It really encouraged me to pay attention to how i look and clean up my physical a little bit. Some of the flirting techniques were not for me but overall this book was great. Take the advice that works for you and run with it, you will not be dissapointed.

As a fellow author in the dating category (Dating, Inc.: Recruit, Select, and Retain the Right Man for the Relationship), I'm always interested in reading what my peers write. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by The Automatic 2nd Date. As I read, I realized just how many people complain they can't meet anyone for a first date. So all the energy goes into finding someone and none of the energy goes into keeping someone around. I especially like the "male GPS" angle, it's a cute take on finding the right place to meet new guys.

I have this book in the waiting room of my counseling office. When it's time for my next client to come in, she is reading Automatic 2nd Date frantically telling me "just let me finish this part!" You can't put this book down! If you want the self-esteem, self-confidence, and courage to attract and keep the man you've always wanted, this is the book for you. With her magical communication style, Victorya shows you how to become the person you've really been all along.

Pamela J. Bolen
Licensed Professional Counselor

Okay, I love this book. This is a great follow-up to Rogers last book FINDING A MAN WORTH KEEPING. I have so many girlfriends who are single-again and terrified to get back in the dating game. I will be gifting AUTOMATIC 2nd DATE to these girlfriends this year. Rogers guides weary singles on a step by step plan on gaining confidence, courage and charisma. She shows how ANY single woman can compel men to ask them out, AND she reveals step by step instructions on how you can sail through first dates without scaring a great guy away (without being phony or manipulative). I especially like the 100 questions she offers to help jump start a conversation with your man which includes some deep questions you can lightly venture into to help gain valuable insight into the inner character of your man--all on the first date and without scaring him away. Rogers does not teach you how to manipulate your date, rather she shows you how you can "get on the same wavelength" of your man just by paying attention and doing subtle shifts in your normal behavior to actually let someone know you care without scaring them away. If you ever wondered why "HE" didn't call back for a 2nd date, even when you had a great time, then you HAVE to read this book.

An automatic 2nd hit! Victorya captured my attention on the first page and I was hooked! I already have a list of friends I'm giving this book to. I especially love the action points and journaling at the end of each chapter. Great job Victorya! No wonder you're married to such an amazing man!

"The Road of Lost Innocence" by Somaly Mam starts out reminding me of the novel, "Green Mansions" by W. H. Hudson. A deep forest that hides the innocence and beauty of a young girl. In the book, "Green Mansions" the forest protected "Rima" (the bird girl). In "The Road of Lost Innocence" the forest surrounds and devours Somaly Mam.

The fairytale forest world in Cambodia soon becomes a "hunting ground" for abominable acts of perversion, and genocide. Author, Somaly Mam becomes one of many young victims taken and sold into the dark alleyways of rape and child prostitution. She finds herself caught in a filthy and despicable "hell on earth." Somaly was actually sold into this diabolical world by family members in an effort to make money and "pay off debts" that ... "they" had incurred.

Ms. Mam realistically acknowledges that in Cambodia (as well as numerous other Asian countries i.e.: Vietnam, Thailand, etc), parents, and other family members are void of any feelings have to do with guilt, because their children are their property, and basically; "money on legs, an asset, a kind of domestic livestock."

Somaly Mam spends numerous years as a prostitute in this ugly world and is repeatedly raped, beaten, and tortured throughout her tenure. Despite her sad fate, she eventually brakes out of this "bubble world" through the assistance of several European clients. With their help, Somaly educates herself, tempers her tenacious spirit, and returns to the gutters of Cambodia with a mission of saving others who suffered the same fate.

In that process, Somaly and her French husband founded AFESIP (Acting for Women in Distressing Situations). This organization along with the newly formed "Somaly Mam Foundation" has continued to help thousands of young victims reintegrate into society as useful and healthy individuals. Ms. Mam is in my mind, a younger Asian version of Mother Teresa.

Most of the actual writing itself is in a direct straightforward and no nonsensical format. However, I felt a great deal of her story line and character application was redundant throughout the book. None the less, this is not a fairytale you would want to read to your children. This is a true and unequivocal horror story that will not easily fade from your mind or... your aching heart.

This was a terrible, awful, horrible story, but a wonderful book. The author was sold into prostitution as a child but managed to escape by getting married to a foreigner. She started an organization which rescues women from sexual slavery. This is her story and her expose of the corrupt political system that allows this sex trade to flourish.

Most sad of all is her conclusion about why this horrible system has developed in her country. Basically she says, after all the years of war and then the terror of the Pol Pot regime, people have learned to survive by looking out for themselves and only themselves. As a culture they have lost the civility of looking after one another and as such they are willing to sell their children or step-children. They are willing to rape children. They are willing to turn a blind eye to women being abused.

A portion of the proceeds from this book go to the author's foundation to help these women. For more information, please go to http://www.somaly.org I'm going to make a donation and urge you to do so too, even if you don't buy the book

"The Road to Lost Innocence" by Somaly Mam touched me so deeply that I must recommend this novel! Her writing style is simple and easy to grasp, allowing the reader to become so engrossed in this tragic and compelling story. She brings Cambodia to life through its interesting foods, fascinating customs and graphic description of the ethnic separation of the people. Through her words, I have sampled the region's oppression under Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Her descriptions of the horrors of being torn away from everything familiar at the age of 9 or 10 by a stranger that promised to reunite Somaly with her parents were tempered by shining moments of kindness and hope in the midst of this tragic existence, revealing God's care and provision.

This book takes you through the tragedy that was Somaly's life to where she escaped and now rescues others. It made me smile. It made me weep. It made me angry. It made me think of (and pray for) all the people trapped in the sex slavery trade. It made me realize that I don't have a care in the world compared to those who are victimized by this very real horror everyday. It made me want to make a difference. I pray it makes you want to change the world, too.

The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam is a heart-breaking story of a woman's fight out of slavery and her quest to save others from suffering as she did. Somaly was raised in the forests of Cambodia in a primitive tribe without electricity or running water. Living in the remote jungles, her parents abandoned her and left her with a grandmother who then died before Somaly could remember any of them. She raised herself until the age of eleven, sleeping in a hammock, fishing for some meals, and receiving some little care from the rest of the villagers. At eleven, a man claiming to be her grandfather took her to a larger city and used her as slave labor, beating her and forcing her to work for others as well. She learned how to read at a small school run by a man who claimed to be her uncle and tried to do his weak best by her. At fifteen, her grandfather sold her into a violent marriage with a soldier, until he disappeared, and the grandfather appeared again to sell her into a brothel in Phnom Phen. There Somaly was raped and beaten until all of her will was driven out of her, and the fight to survive overcame the desire to be free. Eventually a French aid worker came to her aid, and Somaly was able to break free of this devastating life. But Somaly is more than the average women. She was unwilling to let other women suffer as she did, so she began distributing condoms to the brothels, and then opened a home to take in girls who fled their life of forced prostitution. She has faced threats, including the kidnapping of one of her daughters, but has emerged unwilling to bend again. Her story is amazing and awful, not something that is easily considered. It's much easier to skim over the details and refuse to internalize them. But when I read about men raping 5 and 6 year old girls and then pimps sewing the girls up again so they can be sold as "virgins", and then look at my own 5-1/2 year old daughter, my heart is broken. I can't imagine the degradation that these girls suffer daily. Somaly tells her story in raw, harsh words. They are not prettied up, nor does she gloss over what she has faced. This book needs to be read to expose the world to the truths about what is going on in Cambodia to these young girls. A portion of the profits from this book go to Somaly's charity that helps free girls from their abuse, and I know that her foundation is one that I will be donating to in the future.

Wow. I want to say there are no words to describe what this book will make you feel, but I'm going to try anyway.
Somaly Mam is the kind of person we all hope we could be, were we faced with the horrors she has lived. Sexual slavery, rape, abuse - she survived all these and has been brave enough to share her story with us. She recounts her experiences in a raw, unflinching tone, experiences which could break the strongest of us. And although Somaly escaped her own dark path, she has never left that world behind, but instead returns time and again to rescue other girls trapped in brothels, girls sometimes as young as four or five, girls who have been sold into sexual slavery.
Her story is amazing, the world she describes is horrifying, and in the end if you have not been moved to tears, then you are not human.
But this book is not just intended as a voyeuristic window into a world we should condemn. It is a necessary education for those of us who are lucky enough to live in a world where sexual slavery is a remote problem. And if, like me, you finish the book and find yourself enraged at what is being done, then you might do what I did and google her name, and find her foundation's website: www.somaly.org. There is something we can all do to help, and after reading this book you just might need to.

This is one of the most AMAZING books I have ever read. Touching, heartfelt and gutsy! I have passed this book on to many friends and they have all had the same response. One of those books that changes your outlook on pretty much everything.

I have known Bob Muzikowski for three years now, and he never ceases to amaze me. Reading this book has been a revelation. If you're feeling cynical, or doubt that one man can make a difference in society, read this book. Muzikowski chronicles his life from a tough childhood to a self-destructive early adulthood through his current and permanent persona, a caring, compassionate person who genuinely wishes to spread goodwill. Hopefully, this story will inspire others to follow in Bob's footsteps, and love their neighbors. The narrative is alternately heartbreaking, hopeful, and humorous, but always honest. A seemingly endless parade of intriguing supporting "characters" add color and depth to Muzikowski's infectiously interesting vignettes. Rather than see the Keanu Reeves/Hollywood version, read the real thing. Pass it on!

I never knew Bob Muzikowski ... nor did I know of the book prior to last month (April 2004). However, I was fortunate enough to meet this amazingly honest, articulate, straight-shooting gentleman [yes ... gentleman] at a prayer breakfast in Albany, NY. After hearing him speak [him being the featured speaker] and hearing his story I simply needed to know more. I spent a little time researching Bob and was interested in reading the book.

OK ... now for the book review ...
DON'T READ THIS STORY if you are not interested in changing your heart and mind for a greater good. THE RIPPLE EFFECT will occur in your heart as you realize the full potential each and every one of us has to better the lives of others. HHHMMM ... isn't that what Jesus taught?
AND if you're an Evangelical Christian, the story will either motivate you INTO service for Him or it will refresh your walk and current service.
Either way ... this story is SO MUCH BIGGER than Bob and his boys. It's a glimpse of the ON-GOING ACTIONABLE LOVE AND COMPASSION for everyone associated with Bob and Tina ... and for you and I? It's fuel for our hearts ... raw honesty, compassion and love seen through very tough circumstances and people.

BOTTOM LINE ... this book is an example of what God can do when a heart is willing to be transformed.
PS: Check out the Chicago Hope Academy ... a school opening in 2004 that was built on the fire and determination of these folks.

When Bob Muzikowski and I sat across from each other on a plane ride last September, I mostly listened as he told his story. As publisher for Zondervan, I knew by the time we landed I'd be asking him if he was interested in telling this story in print! The world is hungry for stories about "everyday heros" with whom we can actually identify. Bob is a regular guy who, in spite of a rough and tumble first few decades of life, has found a way to live an extraordinary life. His story reads like a novel but the inspiration that drives him is compelling and accessible to all of us. This is a book that you will not be able to just read. You will most definately encourage your adolescent children to read it and you will talk about it with your colleagues and friends. Trust me...for what started as an idle conversation on a plane last September is now a wonderful book that in just over a month is being read by thousands.

Although Bob Muzikowski's book, "Safe at Home," is catagorized as an autobiography, it is so much more! This book is a real life story of THE Author's plan for one man. Bob Muzikowski has shown us how one man (and woman, Tina!) can make a difference when he chooses to please an Audience of One - the blessings of God on Bob Muzikowski's life have been multiplied exponentially to others! "Safe at Home" has been described as "inspiring," but Bob's story will only be truly inspiring if it generates a response from its readers; one that takes them out of their comfortable church pews and into the God-prescribed place that He wants them to be! "Batter Up!" The choice is yours: you can take the challenge as the designated hitter or warm the bench in the dugout!

I was thinking of ordering this book because the title and concept sounded interesting... But the section "FROM THE AUTHOR" is so trite, so clumsy in articulating a point, and demonstrates such a poor command of grammar and the English language that I am going to pass!

I happen to know J Coburn, but you do not need to know the man to understand the emotion. This is the single greatest book to be wrote in 2004, as it takes a hard look at reality, the reality of today, not the watered down BS American way of life.

It goes to show you that everything is not as it seems, and it makes you take a look inside to see the problems that we all have created for ourselves, and captures perfectly the human emotions we all try to hide. In closing, if you have children, buy this for them, it will open their eyes, and parents, read this as it might make you understand the "other" side of life, the truth.

Eighty-two pages does not take a lot of time to read, but in those 82 pages it takes a tremendous amount of thinking, understanding, and eye opening. I encountered a few different emotions while reading this book such as sympathy, anger, patriotism (to myself and myself alone!), hate, but primarily understanding. Although some topics seemed a little biased and merely opinionated, there was quite a lot that just made pretty good goddamn sense. That also doesn't mean that I agreed with everything either, and I'm not supposed to. You're saying what most people would be afraid to say. So, hope to read another one from you, J. Coburn! Consider the title: Chicken Soup for the American (Youth) Soul! :)

A friend of mine told me about this book, and thus I bought it, having money to spend and time to kill. I read it, and it brought to mind everything I've ever thought about, and I agreed with most, if not all of it. I also know J Coburn, and enjoy his company very much. I can't wait until the next book comes out. I will purchase it immediately and read it as slowly as possible, to get the full aroma of Mr. Coburn's book.

This book gives so many hypocrites something to think about. Nothing is spoke here other than raw truth. I can't wait for the next book to come out and since reading it I have let several people borrow my copy and the loved it also.

My son and his girlfriend are both elementary ed and special ed majors. He bought this book for her for Christmas. She read it cover to cover and loved it. So, I bought it for my son. He was thrilled!

Working with Special needs children can come with quite an array of challenges. Jim has taken the journey of teaching them, and brought out the humor and lessons learned daily. Even when aggression and untimely behavior are issues, he has a way of putting one's self at ease and is able to cope with these matters in creative ways.

Once I picked this book up, I couldn't put it down. I loved the way Jim shares the joys and struggles of working with kids with Autism in such a unique way. As he tells real-life stories, sometimes humorous and sometimes not so much, one can see the absolute love he has for this unique group of individuals. I highly recommend this book even if you are not a special education teacher. It makes for good reading for anyone. "Laughing and Loving With Autism" by Wayne Gilpin, also offers light-hearted reading for a sometimes very challenging syndrome, and through his stories, gives a much needed understanding.

Excellent book--a book you can laugh out loud at. True stories about the special education classroom that educate readers on how to handle situations that can happen every day. It shows that teaching special education is never dull and keeps you on your toes. It also shows an educator who is ready to give whatever it takes to make the most out of education for every one of his students.

Jim Yerman has put into words the wonders of daily life with persons who are disabled! As the parent of a mentally handicapped child, I know all too well the wild ride we climb on when we meet a disabled child. Jim tells his stories with humor, love and incredible respect! How wonderful to have someone like him teaching our children--and now sharing with us the lessons he has learned!! This is a must read for families with disabled children and an absolute must read for anyone in special education!

A collection of essays wrote by african american and biracal young adults. The essays are about struggles the writers have been through while growing up, and on college campues. I throught all the essays were good.

A collection of essays wrote by african american and biracal young adults. The essays are about struggles the writers have been through while growing up, and on college campues. I throught all the essays were good.

A collection of essays wrote by african american and biracal young adults. The essays are about struggles the writers have been through while growing up, and on college campues. I throught all the essays were good.

This book is a very well-done sociological study of African American/bi-racial college students and the telling of their stories to get to this point in their lives. The stories are diverse yet similar. Bright, misunderstood, sticking out like sore thumbs because they were of color and intelligent. That is not the way it is supposed to be. Why is it African Americans are ridiculed for being smart. I read Kunjufu's book some years ago when my daughter was in middle school, Black Peer Pressure: To be Popular or Smart. Why must you choose. I am trying to remember my childhood experiences. I cannot remember being ridiculed for doing well in school. It seemed that was the norm for my group and the kids seem to have more respect for one another. I know this is unusual. I think about my brother who is now a well-known cardiologist in the Bay Area and when I look back on it, he must have felt isolated because he was one of those super-smart, gifted students. From the first story of Prince which was heart-wrenching. He was truly a testament to the poverty and hardship. He proved he could succeed against the oods. So, it is with Malik who had a drug-addicted mother. These young men's stories is in contrast to some of the more affluent of the group. Maria, Rob, and Steve had all of the amenities to have a good head start, well-eduacated, financially secure, and good neighborhoods. However I must say, I was disappointed that these students felt they had little in common with other black students because of their status. And it seemed their attitudes were reinforced by their parents attitudes who seemed to feel if it's white, its right. I am trying to reconcile these parents with the generation that had to strive for basic civil rights in housing and education. Where was the pride in being black. Why were they not going to black churches and putting their children in contact with other young black people with groups such as Jack and Jill or church youth groups? I always thought it was the generation these students that lost the black pride, not their parents who I guess are in their forties, fifties, and sixties. Claudio and Alessandro had to do with the problem of being both black and Latino and all the trials associated with being of a double culture. So often in Latin cultures, children are told they are Latino and then they get out into the world where no one will let them forget they are black. That can be a rude awakening when culture and color clash. The bi-racial students angst of being between two world, not knowing where they belong. This story was also very well told in "Black, White,Other" by Lise Funderburg. Christina and Susanna's black fathers evidently had problems with their black identities. It seems in these and many bi-racial families they do no discuss race, as if not talking about it, it won't be a problem. But as they find out, these issues need to be discussed. Sure these kind of parents say they just want their children to grow up to be good, healthy individuals, regardless of race. Not in America where race and race matters are so pervasive. The editors forewords before each chapter, Janie Victoria Ward and Tracy L. Robinson among them were provacative, intelligent studies. I would highly recommend this book to high school and college student of African descent as well as their parents and students of black sociology. Very well done.

Souls Looking Back is a thought-provoking, engaging and critical work that solidifies the validity of personal narrative as form of interpretive research with a focus on critical race theory. Anyone who may posses any questions regarding the power of such representation should read, ingest and reflect upon the stories of the young people presented in this book. The editors splendedly synthesized these educational and personal memoirs within the context of personal identity, critical race, critical feminist and critical race feminist perspectives. I would strongly recommend this book for all those with sincere interests in anthropology, sociology, psychology, African-American/African-Carribean/Afro-British studies, and education. This book truly exemplifies the multiplicity of lives our young people of color experience.

As someone who has worked in the field of youth mentoring for over 30 years, this is a book I've been waiting for. Ms. Rhodes combines research with readability, validating what a lot of us already know about the power of mentoring. Equally important are her concerns as mentoring programs expand into new venues and plan on significant growth. Her research reminds us of the challenges and care that must be taken to build sustainable, long term relationships.

Having read the original Public Private Ventures research on Big Brother Big Sister, I found her deeper analysis of their data and findings an excellent addition to the original findings of the study.

The chapters on why some relationships work and others fail,is insightful and should be read by any adult involved in a mentoring relationship or considering the possibility. Again,
her ability to translate her research into practical how to advice, and explain why it works is extraordinary.

For program planners, her step-by-step advice on how to develop an effective mentoring program is invaluable and research based. Her emphasis on training and the infrastructure of support needed for mentors to be successful, is an important reminder as mentoring goes "to scale".

There is a wealth of information in this easily readable book and I highly recommend it to anyone who cares about effective, quality mentoring for today's youth.

Dr. Rhodes knows her stuff, and beyond her interest in facts, figures and statistics you get the feeling she actually cares about youth in a one to one way, not just in hundreds of thousands. When she says that there are two million teens involved in some sort of mentoring program, it makes you feel sad about the millions more who need such a program and yet don't have the means or incentive to discover it for themselves. For, as her research shows, such programs are often of great benefit to the youths, who would grow up with twisted morality or stunted social values without mentoring.

And yet there is a dark side to this happy story, for all too often (says Dr. Rhodes) there may be a boy or girl whose psyche is not helped at all by tutoring (or mentoring) and who may be poorly matched with someone who really owly cares for them to the extent that they can feel good about themselves and tell their friends around the water cooler, "Oh, I helped my Little Brother this weekend," when really all he did was perhaps drive him to an arcade and give him a ten dollar bill telling the boy to enjoy himself. Such mentoring does not help--and even worse, this may hurt the kids. For young people are not cogs in a mechanical wheel, and they do not have interchangeable parts. In this way adolescence has bypassed modernism, and it is time the sociologists realized it.

Dr. Rhodes follows correct protocols, and yet she still believes in the sanctity of the individual personality--you might even say, the "soul" of the at-risk teen.

This is a timely, in-depth book that really gives folks a perspective of the joys and challenges of mentoring. Superb resource and important data for all to see! I highly recommend this book for anyone who understands or wishes to understand the relevance of youth mentoring.

As someone who was searching for a book on mentoring young students this book helps put things into perspective. Ms. Rhodes explains the benefits of the youth needing to be helped and those who help them. Rhodes examines the psychological process behind mentoring. She expands upon the bonds that develops between mentors and youth, what they bring to the process and what they get out of it, and the important role adults who are not their parents can play in the development of children. A lot of us know that mentoring is important but she brings the facts to life. She explains the need to take great care when deciding to be a mentor or not, infact she says do not become a mentor if your heart is not completely into it.

She uses many different thoriest to prove her points and help you better understand why young people need to be mentored, reguradless of their backgrounds. I thought that I knew a lot about the benefits of mentoring the young, but she clarifies why the young need the mentoring and why there is a stronger need for mentors these days. She explains that there are more single parent or duel working parents and therefore there is less adult child relationships within the family. She tells us of the importance of mentors to help the young become better people by basing their decisions on good role models and not just their friends.

Jean Rhodes, professor of psychology at UMass-Boston and former faculty member at Harvard and UChicago, has written the most thorough book to date about the mentoring process. Employing superb research skills and accessible language for both a professional and lay audience, she captures some of the essential components of mentoring that we as a society need to discuss from both a public policy perspective and a psychological care approach. Her analysis and discussion of ten years of empirical research help support her arguement with essential data that adds to the growing body of knowledge on mentoring. This is a book for community activists, religious leaders, social scientists and concerned citizens.
PM Camic, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Education, Columbia College Chicago

this is my favorite book. if anyone has similar taste to me then i highly recommend them to read it. i was getting so into reading it that i never wanted it to end. to last forever. so i tried to do so by reading a limit of pages each day. i live in NYC and by reading the book i had grown a stronger love for the city and thats another reason i loved the book. the down fall of the book? well, it was and made me sad. it was kinda a depressing book. you now. like a heart-acher.

it was indeed a pleasure to read and in the future, if you do read it, i hope you injoy.

thats my review! i hope i helped!

This book was written by a very eloquent author in 1922. At 23years of age, she carefully details her struggles of growing up inpoverty on the lower east side of Manhattan. This is one of a few books that deals with the difficulties faced by immigrants of to New York around the turn of the century. Her battles are those of a poor, Jewish girl growing up without a father in tenement housing. I thouroughly recommend this book to Jews, feminists and historians.

this is my favorite book. if anyone has similar taste to me then i highly recommend them to read it.

i'm going to describe it as a story of a girl growing into a women on the streets of the lower east side of manhattan. she tells of different jobs and the boarders that her and her mother board to help pay the rent. its very hard for me to describe becuase of 2 reasons 1) you can't describe it you have to read it 2)i read it a year ago.

i was getting so into reading it that i never wanted it to end. to last forever. so i tried to do so by reading a limit of pages each day. i live in NYC and by reading the book i had grown a stronger love for the city and thats another reason i loved the book. i also loved the stories she has of her childhood. the down fall of the book? well, it was and made me sad. it was kinda a depressing book. you now. like a heart-acher.

it was indeed a pleasure to read and in the future, if you do read it, i hope you enjoy.

thats my review! i hope i helped!

Streets: Memoir Of The Lower East Side was written in 1922 and published for the first time in 1955. This remarkable memoir of a young Jewish girl's coming of age in the tenement slums of New York's Lower East Side is gritty, candid, vivid, engaging, sensitive, and streetsmart. Bella Spewack overcame obstacles of gender, background, and religious discriminations to succeed as a celebrated journalist, playwright, and screenwriter. Streets is highly recommended, articulate reading and will prove of special interest to students of American Jewish history, Women's Studies, and biographies reflecting the triumph of the human spirit over social and cultural barriers.

This is a coming of age story depicting the harrowing early life of an extraordinary talent. Told with an amazing eye for detail and a highly developed sense of humor, this is one of the most moving autobiographies I have read. Bella Spewack writes of her thirst for knowledge and determination. In later life Bella invented the Girl Scout cookie, became a noted journalist and wrote successful plays and movies. Streets tells of the difficult circumstances of her childhood.

This is one of the best books I have read on Black life growing up in the 1950's and 1960's. It was a time of hard work and discipline for our parents as well as us. We had to learn to do without and work with what you had and be grateful for that, not like the kids of today. We all need to read this book, if not for the memories, for the kids to know what others had to go through to get where they are today and that hard work pays off. We were taught to respect each other and other people's property. It brought back many, many memories as I am an African-American as well. The way the author writes it's like you're right in the room with the family or involved in whatever situation was going on. I was brought up in the city, but my father was from down south, Texas, and he raised us the same way. It is a book for all ages, especially youngsters to see how it was back then, a real story of African-American History as well as being entertaining. A Must Read.

Survival The Will and The Way is a great book. I enjoyed it very much. I am a very picky reader and I need a book that will keep my attention. This book did just that. Every time I tried to put it down, I found myself picking it right back up to read some more. Reading about this family makes me realize how wonderful life is. Although they seemed to have it rough, they seemingly endured because of their love and togetherness. I felt for the family. The father was a bit too cruel for my taste, but it appears, however, that because of the way that the children were raised, they were better and more well behaved than many of today's children. - There was so much going on near the end, and it was so sad, I can hardly wait for the next book so that I can see what happened to everyone. (I hope that there is another one) Don't leave me hanging!

Like the author, I too was born in Alabama. Although I did not live with the conditions such as the ones that she describes in her book, I have had the opportunity to visit places like the one where she and her family lived. As I read Survival The Will and The Way, it took me home again. I could almost see the clothes hanging all around on wash day. I actually squirmed when the snake was fished from the water. For the most part, I felt as though I was there during each adventure. This book is very well written.

I believe that Survival: The Will And The Way is a novel that will be enjoyed by everone who has the pleasure of reading it. It is fresh as well as refreshing. As the events unfolds, one can visually/virtually experience each event. The cover first "caught my eye." And as I thumbed through the pages, I was hooked. The writer brings to life a time when the world was a better place. "The good old days!" Although those days might just about be gone, this book will hopefully help to bring back some of those olden days when life was simplier and Young.

Miss Young, Thank you for sharing your story. Your presentation was delightful, and the memories are enlightening and enriching. I too long for a form of discipline. I believe that if each and every child could have lived as you described, there would be less hatred and more togetherness. Sometimes folks have it so good that they forget just how good they really have it. Survival The Will and The Way describes the basic essentials needed in life: Love, respect, togetherness, a belief in religion, and a way of survival. Oh, how I wish that we all could have experienced growing up in a place like "Perote." Your Dad reminds me of my Grandfather. He was guick to pull his gun or knife. I especially enjoyed reading about "Uncle John and Doll", and how she could so easily set him off. Our family memories are precious ones. You were wise to document them. I was fortunate to be able to read them. The cover is attractive and sentimental. The size is perfect. And I like the size of the type. We have a hard back in paper weight size - perfect! You and your family have strong constitutions. I will pass this book on to my daughter. You have enspired me to attempt to document the life of my Grandmother in her honor,and for our memories. Thank you for the push! I know that your son and grandson are constantly reminded of the essentials. God bless!