Youth Books

Bro. Richard I was at one of your youth confrences and you are a very talented man. The book to me was all most as great as It's Time. I loved your book it was one of the greatest and powerful book I have ever read. Well I must go now thank you and God Bless!

Bro. Richard has a HEART for the youth of America. This book compiled some of his best sermoins, preached to youth groups across the country. He is a true Scriptural shepherd. I sat under his teaching/preaching for two years before he became the President of BRSM and was challenged to the core many times. What a man of God! I highly recommend this book to any youth leaders, teenagers, and students who want to hear the TRUTH.

New and progressive ideas never have an easy start. "Quest for the Other Kingdom: The First Book of Journeys" is the story of a kingdom that widely uses slavery, and the culture shock of a free woman who visits it. She tries to spread her message of a morally better way, but does not receive a warm reception. Meanwhile, a runaway slave wants to escape his bonds by reaching the shores of the nation that would not treat him as property - but the journey he attempts is one that is often fatal. A intriguing tale for young adult fantasy fans, "Quest for the Other Kingdom: The First Book of Journeys" is highly recommended for community library young adult fiction collections.

Linda Settles claims that Quest for the Other Kingdom: The First Book of Journeys is an adventure story--and it is, but it is more than that. As a Christian, and a pastor's wife who has shared the life experiences of many fellow travelors on the Sea of Life, I see this book as an allegory. The characters and their experiences are authentic and insightful. The Messenger is especially dear to me for he reminds me that there is one who will never leave me or forsake me--even when I don't always 'get it right.' Several of my children have read the book and they all loved it--from the ten year old through seventeen. I can't wait for the sequel to come out!First Book of Journeys: Quest for the Other Kingdom (Quest For The Other Kingdom)

John Quick's book is one of my favorite books, ever. About a young, precocious, inquisitive boy trying to make sense of the illogical world of adults, and the joy of growing up in a small coastal town. Each chapter reads like it's own story. The author's reflections and remembrances are laugh-out-loud funny, a few are sad, some have elements of both. In my house the book stays out and gets picked up often because you can open it in the middle and read a chapter, or read the whole book (it's hard to stop once you start). And it's just as good the second or third time as the first. I'm taking it to my Mom's for Christmas so we can read the wonderful Christmas chapter out loud.

Highly recommended!

Reading John Quick is true pleasure. He is a natural storyteller. He puts me in mind of men of my grandfathers generation. Laughing, cursing and loving their life and memories they spoke from the center of their beings and and knew they had drawn us closer. It is a delight to find John Quick can both tell a story and share it with us through his gifted writing.

This is an indispensable book. The first great thing about it is the acknowledgment of the truth that children learn best through experience. The activities in this book are designed to give children the EXPERIENCE of universal values in simple and creative ways. The author lists these values and describes why they are important, and then describes the activities. Qualities like kindness and cooperation are getting a lot of attention in schools today (and are on the list), but the other qualities like courage, concentration, peacefulness, willingness, will-power and service (to name a few) really complete the picture of a joyful, well-rounded child. The rest of the book contains some of the author's experiences with children (which illustrate the development of these values), a useful model for understanding children's behavior, and a section on discipline. There is a wisdom and depth in his writing that goes beyond the words. I highly recommend this book.

For Goodness' Sake: Supporting Children & Teens In Discovering Life's Highest Values is a sourcebook of activities, advice, and tips on sharing values with children from ages 4 to 17. Written by an experienced parent, principal and classroom teacher, For Goodness' Sake covers how to exercise firm yet loving discipline, how to communicate honestly and effectively with children, helping children overcome the restlessness that can interfere with their learning, and much more. Activities emphasize such positive qualities as self-countrol ("Stony Faces" divides participants into pairs and has them look into each other's eyes; the first to smile, laugh or look away loses) and strengthening one's will (a three part activity that focuses on doing one thing at a time, finishing what one starts, and trying one new thing a day). A positive-minded blast of fresh air, filled with helpful suggestions for parents, teachers, and youth caregivers alike.

This book is great not just for teens, but for parents as well. Times have changed and the things our kids face today can be overwhelming. It is good to know what they are going through and to have a strong foundation is so important. I loved the book and would recommend that you buy two, one for you that parent and one for your teen, or preteen

This is an excellent book and should be must reading for the youth of today. This is a 'how to' live book for young people that are struggling with any issues in their lives. It is written by a young person to other young people. Parents will benefit from reading this as well and it will provide them with insight into issues that may be bewildering their children. This book is a help to all those trying to attain God's plan for their lives. All church youth ministries should make this book available to their congregations.

Voice of Youth Advocates Magazine October 2002 VOYA
Growing up in San Jose, California, Arturo Rodriguez and his brothers and sister endured an abusive father, their parents' unhappy marriage, and their father's absence after he returned to Mexico. Rodriguez coped as best he could, but his drinking and drug use, in the wrong place at the wrong times led to his incarceration in California's prison system for young offenders. Against all odds, he put his past behind him, married and had a family, and worked hard to overcome injustices and start a successful business. After his retirement Rodriguez began writing about his life and his family. This book is sequel to East Side Dreams (Dream House, 2001, published in Spanish as Sueños del Lado Este. In this second autobiographical book, he writes about childhood pranks and misdeeds, his mother's near fatal illness, his parent's divorce, the birth of his first child, and how his parents even eventually became friends.
The writing here is unpolished but sincere in true, and the reminiscences and descriptions are vivid and true to life. Neither how he grew to understand his father and other relatives whom he loved despite their flaws. His message for young readers is clear. It is possible to survived and overcome injustices and hardships. Rodriguez maintains a Web site at www EastSideDreams. com and invites readers to visit, view his picture alum, and perhaps send him an e-message. He will answer.-Sherry York Voice of Youth Advocates Magazine

Forgotten Memories
Art Rodriguez
Dream House Press
Capably written for teenage readers grades 7 through 11 by Art Rodriguez, Forgotten Memories is the story of his having been a young man growing up amid difficult conflicts in San Jose, California. From life-threatening risks such as drowning and knife fights, to the cutting harshness of vituperative words, Forgotten Memories reflects the drama of learning how to survive, grow, and accept personal responsibility. Forgotten Memories is recommended as a powerful coming of age story. Also highly recommended is the Art Rodriguez previous memoir, East Side Dreams.

This is a wonderful DVD series. My children (9,8,5) have loved watching the movie segments about the characters from American history. There are even some that I had never heard of. Mr. Stotts puts a humorous twist on his narratives of each person that keeps the viewer very involved. I highly recommend this video.

Teaches American history as it really happened. Takes the reader on a journey through American history, accompanied by historical figures that paid the price to gain the freedom we enjoy today. Investigates the worldview of our nation's Founders and gives a perspective of American history that has been largely lost today. Designed as a teacher's text, it also makes for a great supplement for any history student.

I am teaching a course on pediatric occupational therapy in Germany. This book has been a life-saver for me, since it has given me clear definitions of major frames of reference in use around the world. I am looking forward to the newest edition!

This book provides an excellent guide for moving from theory to practice! Each frame of reference is clearly delineated and the application to practice section of each frame of reference demonstrates how it can be used. It is a critical resource for providing theory based interventions. Good background information is provided for becoming a good, well rounded pediatric practitioner.

These cards are great. I'm using them with my children (7 and 9) as well as my 3rd grade CCD class. The kids love the format. The cards can be used in a variety of ways, even lending themselves to games. Each card answers a tough question in a quick, to-the-point way and backs it up with a Biblical references. While I don't expect most of these students to ever be in a debate defending their religion, I think it helps them with those internal debates that arise when they don't quite understand something about their religion. And I think I'm learning as much as the kids are!

The 2nd set of Friendly Defenders cards are just as wonderful as the 1st one. The questions on these ones are deeper than the 1st-which stayed primarily on Church teachings and where they are found in the Bible. The 2nd set has more, Why should I believe there's a God? type questions, which is a wonderful move up from the first set.

We use these in our weekly Catechism class.

The only possible complaint is the way Amazon advertises them. It says ring bound, but the ones they sent me are only flash cards, like the 1st set.

Allan Seager is an incredibly under-rated writer. I came across one of his short stories in an issue of McSweeney's and have been trying to get my hands on as much of his stuff as I can (sometimes tough as all but this book have been out of print for quite some time). There is a tenderness and subtlety to Seager's writing that recalls the best writers of the last century. He has been compared to Hemmingway and Sherwood Anderson. A Frieze of Girls is memoir as fiction. "Time makes fiction out of our memories," Seager says in his preface. A beautiful and sad thought in its own right. "The feel of truth is very like the feel of fiction." This is a collection of stories about a young man's coming of age. It is Seager finding himself, finding the author, intellectual, and smartass that he would become. The stories are reminiscent of other authors who write of life as a well-off scholarly boy among other well-off scholarly boys. James Joyce, John Irving. Chronologically, A Frieze of Girls fits between the two. The history is different, but the themes of crossing the brink from boyhood to manhood never change. And Seager paints it as beautifully as any of the other masters who have written on the subject.

I was attracted to this book unconsciously and randomly one day, and it's stayed on my mind-the beautiful, understated writing with sharp observations both humorous and heartbreaking, testimony to the human experience, if I can make so preposterous a claim.