Customer Reviews

Buddha in Your Backpack: Everyday Buddhism for Teens

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If your looking for a new path in life or just looking for a good read about self improvement this book is perfect. I have been searching for long time for a I have been searching for something to relate Budhism to me and Franz Metcalf has written it. It does not preach about buddhism but relates to it every day things in the life of a teen, such as homework, relationships, bullys etc. It also includes quotes and thoughts of teen buddhist so you can relate your thoughts with them. But it also teaches the basics of buddhism like meditation, the four noble truths, the eight fold path and how to use them in daily life. I would HIGHLY recomend this book to anyone intrested in Buddhism or a great gift idea for a teen intrested in Buddhism.

I could only put five stars put this book deserves many more. I could not suggest a better book to open the world of buddhism to teens.

Out of all the "self-help" or advice books I've purchased or been given over the years, Buddha in Your Backpack is the only one I've ever been able to read without cringing, and the first with advice I've tried to apply to my life. The author presents Buddhism not just as a religion but as a set of ideas of which anyone can take advantage.

I'm the sort of person who absolutely hates being preached to, whichever religion happens to be doing it, and I'm pleased to report that Buddha in Your Backpack does none of that. It doesn't need to - one great advantage of Buddhism is that many of its teachings are so practical that they don't need a justification like "do this or our God will smite you." In fact, there's no pressure in the book to treat Buddha as a god, and not every Buddhist does so.

Besides guidance towards the answers of many Big Questions, and advice for life that anyone can appreciate, there is also guidance on practices such as various forms of meditation. Whether or not this sort of thing appeals to you, there is plenty in the book that can positively influence your thinking and perhaps even provide a bit of hope for an otherwise bleak mind.

And the other strength of Buddha in Your Backpack? The tone is nearly flawless, something difficult to pull off for an adult author writing for teenagers. I didn't feel either talked down to or that the author was making too much of an effort to be appealing. He's very straightforward - funny, but blunt and sensible on sensitive issues. Again, he doesn't preach, he advises.

I'll admit that it's difficult to change one's lifestyle based on the advice of any book, but Buddha in Your Backpack is the best motivation I've come across. Whether you're interested in Buddhism as a religion or simply looking for a path in a muddled, confusing and generally difficult world, I can't recommend this book enough. It won't change your life, but it may well inspire you to do just that.

All that, by the way, came from the fingers of a total cynic, so you'd better believe it.

As a 40-something mother of 2 teenagers, I first picked up this book at the local library to pass time while my children researched school projects. As someone who has just spent the last 2 months with the works of Chogyam Trungpa, I was ready for a little "lite" spiritual reading. What I found was a book that, yes, was simplistic in word yet still provided ample room for contemplation. Buddha in Your Backpack may be geared towards teens, but the objects of consideration presented in this book can appeal to someone of any age who is beginning their search for insight on the Eight-Fold Path and the Four Noble Truths.

While i was reading this book, I could relate exactly to everything Franz Metcalf was trying to talk about in this wonderful book that he's written for our age group. He talks about teen issues like dating, pregnancy, sex, family, friendships, gossip, and how to apply the Buddha's teachings to almost ANY situation you can dream up. In each section is included an inspiring quote from some of the greatest Buddhist teachers, and I found it comforting how open and honest he was when discussing issues that we as teenagers have to face today. He even talks about discovering whether or not you're gay,lesbian,bisexual, etc. but I would've appreciated it if he had a section devoted to gay/lesbian/bisexual teens and the issues they face, such as harassment, etc. Other than that, I thought it was an AWESOME book and I would highly suggest it to anyone.

This book is cool in so many ways. Around the beginning of the book, it tells about the Buddha and what he had done. The whole beginning part is the history of the Buddha. Including how he became the Buddha and who he was before that time. Then the author, around the middle of the book, tells what the Buddha taught. Including forms of meditation. I found this book real helpful in my life. I'm not Buddhist, but after reading this book, every time I get stressed out, I do somewhat of a meditation to get calm again. So if you're into this type of stuff, read this book.
By: Jake

as one part of our vacation, we were fortunate to visit a center in which buddhism is practiced. since my kids had had no exposure to buddhistic beliefs before, i thought that buying and reading this book and then discussing parts of it during the drive, hotel stays, tourist walking, might be neat. the kids were not teens, so, i adapted it a bit. the kids really seemed to appreciate the respect and logical approach. they were attentive at the center. after the center, we went to a restaurant in which they had a few "gambling machines" for kids. i replied to my son's request that if he really insisted on gambling $1, he could, but, if he lost, he had to give me his other $1. he ran out and lost. he gave me his last $1. my daughter came over to me and said that i will attract bad kharma by doing that. then, she gave him her last $1. of course, that night i gave him $1 and he returned $1 to her. so, i guess that she did learn and begin to practice some basic elements of buddhism.

that's a long story just to tell you that my kids benefited from this book. i enjoyed reading through it and i enjoyed sharing it with the kids.

the book is organized well. it is very informative. it is simple enough for teens to understand. it is fun and engaging! it is well written and edited. I highly recommend this book for younger teens with an interest in buddhism or whose parents / friends might be interested in buddhism. if a parent wants to use this book as a basis for teaching younger children, it can be adapted. adults wishing to read this in order to familiarize themselves with basic tenants might find this book to be light reading. that might be good for many of us!

overall, i think that this is an excellent book, and i give i an "A-".

This lovely little book offers all kinds of sound advice to teens in their everyday struggles using Buddhist ethics and principles without being preachy or dogmatic. What teen out there doesn't need to hear that they should accept themselves inspite of what the popular crowd thinks of them or if they're thin or athletic enough and so on? This is more of a self acceptance and self esteem buiding book for teens rather than one that guides them into a geniune Buddhist practice (for that, I would recommend the wonderful "Awakening the Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das for beginning Buddhists and the simply curious of all ages), but one that even born again parents will feel comfortable giving to their child. A must for children entering into their Middle School to High School years.

I'm a 13 Year old and new to buddhism, my dad showed me this book and Loved it. This guy can relate to teens in a good way. short review but this book is great, for the price its at it's a steal!

I found this book to be extremely helpful .It laid out Buddhism for me in a relatable and understanding way that wasn't pushy in the least. Even when I didn't find some parts useful at the time I found that later I came back to them because they were more practical in that moment then when I had first read the book. I really like how Franz explained Buddhism in such a nonchalant friendly way. Also in the back of the book he provides a whole section on other books you can read, websites you can go to, and how to find Buddhists in your community.I would recommend it to anybody going through a hard time in their life or who just wants to expand themselves spiritually.

I brought this book home for my teen and decided I would read it first. This is an excellent read for kids of any age and for adults too! The author shares excellent advise and phrases really good lessons in a way that is not at all preachy or condescending. I nodded my way through from beginning to end. Loved this book.