Youth Books

Gustavo Perez-Firmat's memoir is a heartfelt read.
For anyone who has straddled the hyphenated word Cuban-American and thought themselves as a CBA (Cuban-born Americans) or ABC(American-bred Cubans), this book is a secret treaure.
Perez-Firmat takes the reader on a cultural literary journey as he tries to come to terms with exactly what and where home is. Is it the place you were born (Cuba), the place you were exiled to, (Miami) or the city that you find yourself most at peace with (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) Perez-Firmat offers a tender philosophical introspective read on all the above.
The book took me to the corner merchants and restaurants of la saguesera to the academia of Chapel Hill, where Perez-Firmat later settled in as he pursued a master's in literature. Or as he puts it, "Living with an American spouse, dealing with American stepchildren, and speaking English at home, I am much more aware of my nationality that I ever was before." (p.171)
His memories of his family dynamics (two grandmothers sharing a two-bedroom with him, his brother and their parents) will be relatable to anyone with a large Hispanic family or to fans of PBS 70s show "Que Pasa USA?"
But his take on his "romance with teaching" really resonated with me.
I enjoyed reading the often humorous tales of this professor in the classrom as he teaches college students about Spanish literature. In one scene, Perez-Firmat goes on to describe his philosophy for teaching, which can serve as a lesson to many aspiring teachers.
"I'm a successful teacher to the extent that I can get my students to fall for me...In a deep sense, I am the material...Like other love affairs, teaching has its own pace and moods, its good and bad days, its coded language, its rewarding or bitter conclusion. Sometimes you walk into a class and it's love at first sight."

This book made me come to terms with what being a Cuban born American means to me. Perez Firmat shares his own personal and sometimes painful experiences with the readers. In doing so he made it easier to define and understand my own experience as a Cuban-American who loves the United States yet has a yearning to gain a deeper understanding of his own Cuban roots.

That we Cubans and Cuban-Americans can find humor in any situation--even the most tragic and overwhelming--is a testament to our strength. This book is a poignant, funny, and sometimes sad tale of one man's struggle to find his identity. It is a very personal self-examination, but one that most of us (all us "hyphenated" people) can relate to. Are you Cuban? Are you American? Are you "of Cuban descent"? Are you Cuban-American? Are you one person at home and another at work? These are difficult questions, and he walks us through the even more difficult process of trying to find an answer. Does he have an answer? Yes and no. The author also explores the Cuban community's rise from its initial status as an underprivileged, immigrant, "exile" community, to its present role as an assimilated, politically active, financially powerful ethinic force. All of this adds more depth to his own personal identity issues. The book is fascinating, thoughful, and full of relatives we can all look at and say "I have an aunt/uncle/mother/father/etc. just like that!"

In the wake of the Elian Gonzalez saga, I just hope everyone reads this and remembers how and why we got here. Thank you, Professor Firmat.

That is the question that has echoed throughout the Cuban exile community for over 40 years. As the older generation fades, the new generation continues to ask, to wonder, if the next year will finally be the year when Cuba will be free and Castro will be, and there's no other way to say it, dead.

Perez Firmat and I stand a generation apart, yet reading this book, there really was no difference. The Cuban-American experience has much to do with yearning, an emotion that this book succeeded in evoking. We yearn for the Cuba we hear our relatives talk about. We yearn for the freedom of this never-seen homeland, to see the end of the tyranny. And we also yearn for this America, for the apple pie and Coca-Cola life we see and hear all around us, yet can never fully belong to.

Being Cuban-American is not only complex, it is two extremes thrown together. Finding our identity as we straddle two nations is a challenge even now, 40 years later, and even to people like me, first-generation Cuban-Americans. You are forced to ask over and over again, What am I? I am not Cuban, I was born here in the U.S. But I am not American, my "Cuban-ness" is such a strong, obvious part of me it cannot be denied.

Next Year in Cuba does a great job of giving an eloquent, humorous voice to this complexity. It's a great read on the Cuban-American culture, sure to give a better insight and appreciation to those wanting to know more.

As a young person who was born in the United States but whose parents were born in Cuba, identity has never been black and white for me--although it has always been blue, red, and white. This book crystallized so many emotions that I had felt my entire life but had never really examined. If you are 22 and have never been to Cuba, but still call yourself Cuban or if you are 60 and think if your childhood on that island paradise everyday--this book will make you laugh, it might make you cry, and it will certainly make you think. For over forty years now Cubans have been hoping for that "next year" to come to fruition, but we are still waiting. This book will make you long for "next year" like never before. Read it--you will never forget you did.

Orphans' Nine Commandments
"Through three orphanages and many foster homes, through tears and humor, the author is a survivor. His story is interesting historically as well as personally and shows the resilience of the human spirit.
This moving memoir will hold teen's attention...." School Library Journal. December 1, 2007.
Ellen Bell, Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, CA.

"The Orphans' Nine Commandments" by William Holman reflects a spirit so strong and knowing that everyone reading it will be inspired by the grace and honesty shared. Not only those outside of the adoption circle but everyone who was ever a child will respond to the quality of this book. Compassion is one of the most human abilities. May this wonderful book plant seeds of compassion in all who read it.
Touched by Adoption

The Orphans' Nine Commandments is a wonderful book. My daughter took a
copy to her son's sophomore English teacher asking her to share Roger
Bechan's odyssey with her students. She thinks it would encourage kids
who have a rough start . . . to persevere . . . and become successful.
Perhaps then other English teachers in the U.S., and perhaps the world,
will put it on their recommended reading list. That is how important
I think this book will become.
Mrs. Elaine Blackstock. Clearwater, Fla

Taken by his mother when he was six years old to an orphanage and dropped off without warning never to see or hear from her again, William Holman brings the 1930's depression era in Oklahoma to vivid life. His descriptions of the hard times as well as the simple pleasures of growing up in that time and place without a family that he longs for are poignant, spirited and funny. The situations and characters who influence his life through the years will infuriate as well as warm your heart. Despite his rough beginnings the boy succeeds in life eventually becoming the director of the San Francisco Libraries. He marries a wonderful woman and creates a family of two sons. While he never sees his mother again, he does discover who his father was and meets his half siblings. Holman's story has a fine ending but its his journey that makes it so good.

An outstanding glimpse into a life that should have been much different considering its beginnings. This book will make you laugh, make you cry, and cause you to thank your lucky stars. Hard to put down until reaching that last page.

I grew up in neighboring Illinois not far from `Pig Boy'. So, in reading this lovely memoir I found myself transported back into my own childhood memories of growing up. I was tired of reading at the time and therefore hesitant to give this memoir a chance. When I finished, I found that the author had reignited my passion for reading. This memoir will make you want to read again...to write again. The author truly captured the very humorous and.... yes poignant business of growing up, families and the unique value that every person brings to this world. Get this book, you will be glad you did.

There is a distinct nostalgia in Pig Boy's Wicked Bird. The peculiar power in this depiction of an American family is relevant to anytime, place, or condition. The author uses beautiful language and rhythmical sentences to creat a compact telling of this humorous and poignant memoir. The business of living can be lonely. The reader can make profitable use of the insights illuminated throughout this story.

First of all, I really enjoyed this book. I was skeptical going in, thinking it was just another outbreak in the rash of memoirs that has erupted on the best seller lists. This one is different. On the surface, it's a coming of age story, a story about self worth, self awareness, and the impact of family (the family in question being "the seven D's" - all of Doug Crandell's brothers, sisters, and even his parents have names that start with D.) But it turns out that what the story is really about is the three D's: disability, disfigurement, and just being different.

Two of the author's fingers are essentially severed in a childhood farming accident, leaving the boy disabled, disfigured and different. This leads to an awareness and an appreciation of those three D's -- that turn out to be everywhere in young Crandell's world: his mother who is "no longer a woman" due to a hysterectomy, a man with cerebral palsy who connects with the author, the runt pigs destined to be destroyed but saved by Crandell, a grandmother with a humped back, a sister with scoliosis, even the oldest brother is left changed by a never fully explained abduction reminiscent of Mystic River. (Most everyone in the book is marked in some critical, defining, and not always obvious way. Some, like the landlord's son, are, to quote John Lennon, crippled inside.)

Sherwood Anderson and his collection of grotesqueries, Winesburg, Ohio is the influence pointed out by Doug Crandell for helping him sort out his confused world of being marked different as well as leading him on the path to becoming a writer. What I noticed were the influences of William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and in particular Carson McCullers. For a story of the Midwest, Pig Boy's Wicked Bird has a distinct Southern Gothic feel. (One person's physical characteristics are described as "crooked," "twisted," and "warped" in the space of a single paragraph). Like The Member of the Wedding, or even Truman Capote's Other Voices, Other Rooms, these disabled, disfigured, and different people will live with you forever.

There is a wealth of people out there who have grown up in a family that doesn't seem just right. Television for a lack of decent material exploits the dysfunctional family as it exaggerates the flaws of family life in America. "Pig Boy's Wicked Bird" by Doug Crandell tells a different side of the story. Yes, life is full of absurdity and tragedy but what comes out of this book is a recollection of our own past growing up and as weird as it seemed...it was wonderful too. Intelligently written and a delight to read I give it 2 thumbs up and a nub for good measure! This is a great life story!

Doug Crandall, former little Pig Boy of the Heartland, brings us a heart-rendering, oftentimes snorting food-out-the-nose-from-laughing memoir of friendship with farm animals and dealing with life's tragedys. Poetically written by the now grown up Mr. Crandall, even city girls like me can appreciate his love of family, roots and Jimmy Carter. If you love crusty old men, goofy dogs and little piglets, you'll love this story as I did.

I love this book so much that i just coulnt stop reading it.I even stayed late to just finish it. When i first got it i thought it was going to be all about sex and all but it wasnt and so it got my attention wen i saw it. I love the whole plot and setting and especially Livvie and David. Jenny Davis wrote an awesome book and i think that this book deserve an award in my opinion. Plus Livvie in the beginning is just like me. She in a way reminds me of myself. So i could relate in a way to her. When i read about David dying i just couldnt keep away the tears cuz it was just sad. This is the best book and i think everyone should at least take a chance and read it. They wont be disappointed cuz i aint at all.

I truely loved this book. The title was perfect for grabbing the attention of the reader and the story made me go through several emotions. I cried at the end of the story and I re-read the story until my book fell apart! I tell everyone about it and to read it. Kudos to Jenny Davis and her brilliant characters.

Sex Education was one of the best books i have ever read. Congradulations to Jenny Davis for writing a terrific novel that can touch the heart of anyone.
The main characters are David Kindler, Livvie Sinclair, and Maggie Parker. Livvie is new to her school and she knows no one. David intruduces himself in their Biology class. Their teacher Mrs. Fulton devoted the first semester of the class to sex-ed. The class was assigned projects. Their projects are to care for someone who they don't know. Really care for someone. David and Livvie decide to work together because they feel that their new neighbor Mrs. Maggie Parker could use a little caring for. After all she is pregnant. Livvie and David rush to her house right after school and they will stop at nothing to try and keep Maggie and her baby healthy. The only problem is Maggie's husband, Mr. Parker. He doesn't want anyone medaling around in his or his wife's buisness. Livvie and David go against his will and still go to Maggie's house but leave before the mysterious Mr. Parker arrives home from work. He never was a happy camper. He never greeted them. Not once. Finally, Mrs. Parker had a lovely baby. Thanks to David and Livvie. They completed their assignment.
But while this was all going on, David and Livvie began to fall in love. They shared the best of moments together. They were both very sensitave, loveing, and caring people. Livvie came off as shy at first but grew to be a little outgoing.
I found that this book had a surprise waiting around every corner. But it was the ending that really got me thinking.
In conclusion i would just like to say I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!

I just happened to be browsing through my high school library, and picked out this book because of the tital. It turns out that this book doesn't really have all that much do with sex, but it was a splendid read. I loved this book, I read the whole thing in one sitting because its just one of those books you can't put down. Although I was pretty depressed after finishing it, its still worth it. You can learn a lot of valuable lessons from reading Sex Education, I highly recommend it.

Livvie is the new girl in town when she meets David in her biology class. The topic of the semester is sex education: a concerned teacher's campaign to prevent teen pregnancy, and to help young people make more informed and hopefully safer choices. Through a variety of assignments, she teaches her students not only the facts and statistics about disease and pregnancy prevention, but also how to care for someone in a non-sexual way, and how to express themselves. The teacher's realistic message is "wait as long as you can." The main project of the semester is "to care about another person." David and Livvie choose to work together, befriending Livvie's new neighbor, a frail and timid pregnant woman who seems to desperately need someone to care about her The best part about this book is Davis' sensitive writing. We experience everything through Livvie's naive eyes, especially the growing affection between her and David and the joys of first love. By contrast, the problems in the marriage of the new neighbors reveal themselves bit by bit. The horrifying climax reveals the reason Livvie pens her story from an insane asylum. Readers will feel her shock, grief and anger. The deep empathy with Livvie shows strong characterization, and the plot is much more complex than one would guess from the title. This is a book that made me smile with fond memories of my own first love, and weep for the characters. Sex Education is a must have for any young adult library.

This guy really did a nice job for teens who want to relate to the Bible, their characters, and making it real for them in a crazy world. Topnotch stuff for parents who care about their kids getting more exposure to the Bible.

Although Teen People of the Bible is geared toward the Christian teen, I feel that will be of interest to any generation It is broken down into 100 short devotionals that are very enlightening. These devotionals help us to remember that the "saints" were people just like us, with their strengths and weaknesses. They show the reader that God loves them with all their faults and that He has a plan for their lives. It will encourage them to become all God intends them to be.

I am just finishing Dan Darling's book "Teen People of the Bible." I couldn't recommend it more. It is separated into 100 stories which can be used as daily devotional/studies/workshops. All churches should make this book available to their youth. To me every devotional seems truly inspired making it applicable to any age group. I think it should be a must read for any student from grade school through college and their parents.

To quote a great pastor and a great writer "my 2 cents!"

Bill Hoidas

Teen People of the Bible: Celebrity Profiles of Real Faith and Tragic Failure is an eye-opening biblical study guide especially for young adults, focusing on the stories of teens confronted with incredible situations. From Leah and Rachel's conflict over the love of a man, to Solomon who allowed himself to be led astray, to Josiah who refuted his family's harmful choices and led his country back to God, Teen People of the Bible reminds the reader that one's age does not prevent one from making a positive difference - or causing great harm. Divided into one hundred entries, each with a brief reference to a biblical passage retold in contemporary language, a "just like you" passage discussing modern-day issues from internet predators , a daily prayer, and a journal question with blank lines for the reader to write down his or her response. One of the suggested prayers is "God, help me to make a difference in my family, my school, my church, and my community. I'm only one person, but I know You can empower me to do things that seem impossible." An excellent, faith-reaffirming resource for young Christians.

Teens need meat, not fluff. That's Dan Darling's premise in his devotions in Teen People of the Bible. His devotionals have real substance giving teens hope that God can use them right now and they don't have to wait to serve with their whole hearts. This devo would be great for youth groups or for any teen in your life. You will enjoy learning about the teens in the Bible when you read this book. Bravo!

I have found that books, such as the enormously popular Chicken Soup series, can be important sources of inspiration and motivation. Unfortunately, there is a tremendous void of stories from and for GLBT Young Adults or really for anyone who is just coming to understand and accept their sexuality. Two Teenagers in 20 includes writings that will bring you to emotional highs and lows, but that will leave you inspired and feeling empowered to approach life confidently. Most importantly, these stories remind us that others are going through the same emotions, experiences, difficulties and joys as we ourselves are. I cannot recommend this collection of short stories enough.

My 16 yr old son came out to me last weekend. I've asked multiple healthcare professionals for a book recommendation for my son and myself. This book has come very highly recommended by several industry professionals as well as the local les/gay/bi/trans alliance. I'm ordering it now and look forward to sharing this with my son. I'm still in shock about this revelation and am incredibly grateful that he feels safe enough to be honest with his Dad and I. He's a great young man and his sexual orientation changes nothing in terms of my love for him. Looking forward to reading this book.

This book is a MUST for any teen who is questioning, just coming out to themselves, or don't have many other GLBT friends to relate to. I read this when I came out to myself almost 2 years ago, and it was an enormous breath of fresh air. FINALLY- some thing I could relate to. I've shared this book w/ my other gay and bisexual friends, and they love it too. It's a perfect "coming out" gift. :) It's worth every penny and share it with your friends!

This is a must read if you are questioning, or you know that you are lesbigaytrans. The positive outcome stories are reassuring, and there is a list of more resources at the end of the book. The list includes similar books, and I think there also is a list a groups that would be usefull. If this book sounds like it could help you, BUY IT!! You'll be GLAAD you did. (Pardon the pun)

A friend of mine was going through a tough time in college because he was starting to "come out" for the first time. He was terrified that nobody would accept him anymore. I ordered this book for him and he really enjoyed reading it (I read it as well). It helps to read about people who are going through the same thing you are. The stories are all real; some are happy & some are not, but that's true life. This book had a positive effect on my friend & I'm sure it will have a positive effect on you as well!

I have had many problems with anxiety through out my life. I can honestly say that no amount of therapy helped more than this book! I would recommend this book to everyone! I loved this book and it brought me closer to who I want to be! ....Read it!

This is a wonderful book. I discovered Joyce Meyer recently. I found this book to be helpful and encouraging. Changing your thoughts is very important for anyone who is self critical, discouraged, depressed, etc...It's a choice and encouraging to know there is a choice instead of just listening to negative internal dialogue. God is the best choice. Love, Truth and Light...
JER 29:11

I got the adult edition Battlefield of the Mind and it is awesome. So I was pleased to receive this book quickly and in great shape. I am so excited to see if my teenage daughter gets out of it what I have gotten out of the adult edition!

This book helped me to get to a better place in my life, and I would reccommend it to any teenager trying to get close to God but feels conflicted about how they should conduct thier life. The language and ideas are geared for teens and there's no way that you can be a new Christian and not read this book. It's a must read! Be blessed.

I received a teaching once that basicly said that when you get right down to it the Devil really only has two methods for tempting us: 1. Pressure 2. Pleasure. The Devil has three maxims which allows him to pull this off : 1. You (your own thoughts, bad habits, exc.) 2. The environment (Government, religious oppression, the systems of the world, exc.), and 3. Other people. Joyce Meyer's "Battlefield Of The Mind" is mostly geared at the one maxim each of us have the most control over (You, yourself, your thoughts, and YOU).

Joyce masterfully explains how that old Advesary The Devil works by waiting for the right moment (he`s not only a parasite but he`s also a predator). He waits to see where your weak, when your most vulnerable moment is, and he waits for that moment to attack. The Bible says "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you." Perfect example is Luke chapter 6, The devil waits for Jesus to be 40 days and nights in the wilderness before he attacks. He didn't come the first day to attack him when our Lord was at his strongest. Oh no, our advesary doesn't play fair; he bides his time and waits for your weakest moment and attacks. Jesus resisted him and the devil fled from him (for awhile). Best thing is we have victory through our risen Lord this very day if we claim it. Joyce does a great job of illustrating this in this book(though I don't know if she used the Luke example I used above or not).

I really got a lot of insight from this book. For example, one of the concepts in the book (in my own words) was "what comes out of your mouth had to originate in your brain." Sounds simple enough , but Joyce had a masterful way of describing every thought we commonly have today and referring it to biblical passages. About half way through the book I began to realize that the grumbling, griping, complaining, and various other human emotions and thoughts I have are not uncommon to our time. The children of Israel went through these same emotions and they are all recorded in Gods Word. I used to ponder how stupid these people must have been, but now I can see myself in them. It really was a humbling experience! Many of us make the same mistake over and over again and ask God, "Why don't you do something?" Truth is God has always been willing to help us. We are the ones who get in God's way by not bringing our thoughts into the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Read this book and find out how you can change and train your mind to shut the door on The Devil and how to allow God to do what he's always been willing to do. BLESS YOU!!!

Hebrews 13:5b "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

P.S. This book comes in many formats. There's the traditional version, teen version, devotional version, exc. It doesn't matter which one you use. Just read one of them. You will be blessed.

Tom Anderson's son Marc is destined for greatest. At only twelve years old, this young boy has an amazing arm that carries his otherwise mediocre team. So long as the boy has the right guidance and the right team to enhance his skills Marc will definitely become a superstar quarterback. So when a scout for a better team wants to give Marc the shot of a lifetime, Tom is willing to sacrifice almost anything: his marriage, time with his daughter, and even his son's health.

Anyone who has participated in sports or has children who participate in sports has probably met a man like Tom Anderson. He's not an evil man who purposefully pushes his child beyond his limits. Instead, he just sort of got caught up in the dream of his son attaining something he never had the chance to accomplish. Somewhere along the line, he just forgot to ask his son if it was his dream too.

Tom Anderson has football ambitions for his son and has a daughter with rare soccer skills. He struggles with perspective and balance in his aspirations. In Tom Anderson I saw lots of good and bad youth parents (including myself). The author skillfully keeps us involved in this family where the dynamics and conflicts of youth sports are played out. Tom Anderson spends about as much time and pages in sex scenes (almost exclusively with his wife) as he does in football. A real interesting combination that Dad's will enjoy reading. A very satisfying, well-told story.

I enjoyed the book.

The pages turned rapidly and I had that air flight moment where the taxi to the gate didn't take long enough and I had to be chased off the plane. It was a fun read. The characters have depth and complexities - not all good or bad. How do you know when it is time to step in and defy "the authority" and when do you continue to trust "the authority?" The story made me ask, "What would I do if I saw this happening?"

I played youth sports with my eight siblings in a small town and I now coach my daughters' teams. I recognize in the characters in the story, the personality of many parents that interfere, support, encourage and discourage young children in their pursuit of fun. At times the book brought knots to my stomach where parents knew what was "best" for their child-- whom was the "best" and was going to see to IT. What do you do if you were that kid? He knew he wasn't. I don't remember any parent stepping in to mitigate the trouble created by a misguided parent. My classmate suffered. Look around the stands, sidelines, and field, What do you see?

The book highlights and focuses the light on some of the most egregious actions that parents take in the guise of doing what is best. I would suggest these parents read the book and see if they recognize themselves. Opps - there is no time for those parents in the long-term plan for idling reading good practice time away.

In the book's case, I want the next book to explore what happens to Marc and his Dad's relationship if Marc becomes the second stringer? Tom (Marc's Dad) couldn't handle it. Knowing what he was willing to do so far to get his soon the "right," the "best," opportunity, what would he do and how would he justify it? That is just one of the many untold stories the books sets-up. Marc's twin sister Katie has her own issues with her Dad's misguided help. Why does Katie always have to help and Marc gets to skip the household chores? I want to know more.

I recommend the book to anyone who has ever watched a youth's game. I am looking forward to the next book.

As I read this work my mind went back to the many football games and baseball games that I attended with my sons in their youth and I wondered how guilty I was in pushing my children where they did not want to go in these competitive sports. From birth we teach our children to do the best they can and sometimes we go overboard pushing them beyond their limits. In this book, Catch a Rising Star, we meet Tom and his son Marc who are thrust headlong into a game where winning maybe losing and losing maybe exactly what should happen.
From the beginning of Marc's life Tom pruned him to be a football star, but Tom never considered the factors of life that would play into his decision for the future of his son.
As life progressed, Marc indeed was superior to other children in this game, but Marc lacked the spark that was required to take it to the limit and Tom almost destroyed his son and family by foolishly trying to light the spark that was not there.
In this book our author explores the unrealistic expectations that many parents pile upon their children in sports and the destruction these actions can cause. The storyline pulls you in and craft-fully the author illuminates the part over zealous parents with an agenda of their own play in the life of our children's sports. Often to their destruction.
This is an eye-opening read done in an entertaining way and one that all parents, couches and those who overshadow our children in any competitive area should read.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

My husband used to coach little league, and I saw many parents as depicted in Don's book. It's a sad state of affairs. Don is an eloquent writer. The story seems to leap off of the page. I'm sure this is the beginning of a magnificent writing career for Mr. Albertson.

I've been coaching youth football for several years. Many coaches have styles and techniques - some good, many bad.

This book gets right to the point and offers an all around complete coaching program.

I don't know Derek Wade personally, but several years ago I first "met" him through an Amazon book review. I was so impressed with his review that I did a search on his name and found out that he had a web site. At the time I was not coaching, but I was closely following my older son's progress in Youth football. I was trying to fill in the holes in my son's skill set, that his coaches were not able to cover because of their restrictions of practice time and ability to spend one on one time with the players. I soon realized I had good tactical knowledge of the skills required for individual football positions, but hardly any strategic knowledge of a football team from a coaches view. Derek's website http://www.fbforyouth.com/ contained tons of the knowledge he had gathered and shifted through on his similar quest for a strategic knowledge. His writing style was written in "Conversational" manner, where the emphasis is on communicating ideas in an understandable manner, as if having a conversation with an acquaintance, as opposed to trying to sound like an expert.

Chapter 1 History: This really filled in a lot of the holes in my knowledge. In other writings (or in my son's Madden Football) I would read references to offensive systems or defenses systems and I could only guess about them (ie. West Coast offense, 4-3 defense, etc.). Coach Wade explains these system with just enough detail and history to understand them from a 10,000 foot view. I couldn't put the book down while reading this. Then Coach Wade goes into a 5,000 foot view on the rules of football. This is an easy read as the entire section is labeled with bold headings so a person can skip what they don't want to read, and not worry about missing something they want to read.

Chapters 2 & 3 Video & book Reviews: There are a lot of coaching videos on the market. They are expensive. Most of them seem to be "Garage Projects". I agonize when I am trying to find the right video to fit my present need because it will cost a person tens of dollars to find out what you bought is not what you wanted. There needs to be more video & book reviews from trusted sources, so I was thankful for Coach Wade's insight. Coach Wade also has a few more book reviews on his web site.

Chapter 4 Film Study: Coach Wade makes it clear this is time intensive, but has big payback. I have been doing this for several years and I very much agree. As a dad, I would film a close up of the line where my son was, then slow it down to about 0.4 speed. That is VERY entertaining to watch as it emphasizes the hand to hand combat of the front line and has been VERY helpful to my son. Lots of good lessons learned in this section. Coaches should measure their resources and allocate them to film study accordingly.

Chapter 5 Dealing with Parents: Good philosophy and "lessons learned" in this chapter.

Chapter 6 Selecting Staff: Good philosophy and "lessons learned" in this chapter.

Chapter 7 Practice Preparation: Good philosophy and "lessons learned" in this chapter.

Chapter 8 Practice Plan: This chapter is the biggest in the book. Coach Wade takes a person through weeks of individual practices. I had to keep in mind that Coach Wade talks from his present coaching assignment at the Jr. high level, but I felt there was lots of good philosophy and lessons learned to help me at the K-4th level. I just finished coaching K-2 graders, all first time players, and my team would not have been able to progress as fast as the outline, but my older son's 5-6th grade team would have been able too. I will be coaching 3-4 graders and I plan on incorporating a lot of Coach Wade's practice philosophy here. I am presently rewriting my future practice plan accordingly.

Appendix 1 Misc Drills: Having this many drills laid out by subject area, with diagrams, and field tested is really really nice.

Appendix 2 Practice Plan: This is what I am referencing while I rewrite my future practice plan.

Appendix 3 Helpful Charts: If you are a visual person like I am, having things laid out in forms and organized into relationships is very helpful, but it takes time and a good form evolves from its initial concept to its working state. This section allows a person to skip the evolution stage and get right to the working stage.

Appendix 4 Letter to Parents: Interesting.

Appendix 5 The Black Lion Award: Interesting.

Appendix 6 Concussions: Very helpful. I plan on taking this seriously.

Appendix 7 Football Terms: Very helpful and interesting to read.

Index: Even this shows that some time was put into it.

Impact is a great book for the new or old Head Coach and assistants. The book gives a head coach everything they need to start off the season on the right foot with parents, assistant coaches and kids. The detailed practice plans were exactly what I had been looking for. The offensive examples describe in the book are the double wing, with which Coach Wade has had a lot of success. This book is not an offensive or defensive play book and it was not the intent of the author to be one. You will have to get this in his other future books or from other sources. Coach Wade does point to a lot of great resources where these can be found and to ones that should be avoided. If you're new to coaching youth football and searching for the right plan or if you have a team but you need a better system, this is the book for you!!

This book by far was the best football coaching related book i've read by far. Coach Wade was very informing and intoned to what new coaches need to be successful.

If you are a rookie Coach (like me), and don't want to look like one this is a great book. It is very informative and gives you a step by step plan on how to organize your team. Includes Practice plans, Scheduals..everything you need. I am only halfway through the book and what I have read so far is worth more than I paid for the book. Highly Recomended...Thanks Coach Wade, for the great book.

-Rookie Coach Case

Unlike many books about the Holocaust this one is truly different in its ending. Suffuring a fate like the Jewish in WWII is not imaginable and this books takes you to a girl and the trials she faced trying to survive and stay connected with her family. This books is an inspiring story of a young girl who tries to survive the terrible fate of her people while trying to stay with her family and the repercussions of this horrible time will never be healed. Although Inge does not get to finish the book herself, her nephew does a great job finishing where she left off. If you like emotional stories that suck you in and you don't want to put the book down, you will love this book!

I won't go into a synopsis since the readers before me have very detailed ones.
I checked this one out from the local library. I could not put it down. I was able to finish in 2 days. I found myself following her on her journey. The book is very well written and really involves the reader in what life may have been like for her. I am purchasing this one to keep on my shelf. Definitely worth reading and rereading.

Most books on the Holocaust reflect the horrible trials of those murdered or sent to Concentration Camps. This is a story of a young girl sent by her family to Belgium from Germany before the war. She is tossed into the whirlwind of war and her separation from her family is greatly traumatic for her. She faces her difficult teen years as a refugee in Southern France. The North of France is occupied by the Nazis, who ultimately control the French Government, both north and south. Each year she grows closer to her 18th birthday, she is painfully aware of the French laws will allow her to be turned over to the Nazis and deported. She is not alone in her travail. This story tells of the genuine goodness of those who helped shelter her and get her and many of her friends to Switzerland. There is love, loss and decency. A really different prospective. Should be read by all.

Much has been written about the millions who were murdered during the Nazis' Holocaust bestiality yet we know less about the effect on thousands of child survivors who suffered separation from family, deprivation and often multiple escapes during World War II. In "Inge" author Gumpert vividly portrays the anxieties and trauma of an innocent young girl under the duress of separation, escape and living on the margin. Inge discovers herself and turns from introvert to courageous escape artist, outwitting adult persecutioners. We also learn about selfless and heroic rescuers. It is fascinating to discover her interactions with peers and even the advent of teenage love during her turbulent youth.

The book vividly presents the gripping dangers and escapades of Inge's teenage years. Even more important, the author reveals Inge's lifelong and unsuccessful struggle to cope with the memories. One feels the author has perhaps finally provided the peace and redemption which escaped Inge during her lifetime.

As a fellow teenage refugee with Inge in 1940-41 (her first love was my best friend Walter), I knew the facts, but I am deeply moved by the compelling story told by this book.

This book takes you into the life of Inge Joseph who lived threw the Holocaust, but ultimitly could not get past it.

Inge Joseph was born in Darmstadt, Germany in 1925. She had an older sister and loving parents. When she was young Hitler took power and her life changed. In 1936 her father got arrested and shortly afterwards her sister then 16 went to live in America eventually living in Chicago.

Inge and her mother remained in Darmstadt with the help of her father's wealthy cousin. During this time however Inge left Darmstadt and went to live with her cousin in Belgium. After only living with him a short time he and his wife sent her to live in a hostil run by Mr. and Mrs. Frank (no relation to Anne.) After living there a while, the Nazis invaded Belgium and the Franks sent the girls to France with a group of boys from another hostil in the town they lived in.

The 100 kids went to France and stayed in a barn for a while, until the Swiss Red Cross got involved helping them with food, and finding them a castle to live in.

Life was not easy in the barn or castle, but Inge and some of her friends found love. During the time in the castle the oldest of the children were arrested and sent to a concentration camp, but managed to go back to Chateau le Haille (the castle). Several months later the person in charge decided that the oldest ones needed to escape.

After a failed escape leading to the deaths of Inge's friend and boyfriend Inge made it to Switzerland and finally to the United States to reunite with her father and sister.

Inge tried to get over her experiences, married a Austrian Jew and adopted a daughter named Julie, and also became a nurse. Unfortunitly she was not able to and became addicted to medication that caused her to die in 1983.

A very interesting story, one can't forget