Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II [Paperback]

Jack Canfield (Author), Mark Victor Hansen (Author), Kimberly Kirberger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II offers more inspiring stories to help you master the game we call life. Today's teens have ever more issues and social pressures to juggle than young adults just 20 years ago. This book, like its predecessor, can be your guide - a beacon in the darkness, a safe haven in a storm, a warm hug in the cold and a respite from loneliness. There's no preaching as to what you should and shouldn't do. Instead, this book is full of teens sharing their experiences on learning to accept like, becoming the best person you can be, being happy with who you are, and loving yourself - no matter what.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-12-Four talented, youthful narrators read selected stories from this popular best seller. Written by teens, these anecdotes share experiences of growing up with families, of grieving for a death, and of relationships with peers. The vignettes present challenges of life showing that others have had similar experiences. While comforting to realize one is not alone, they also illustrate behaviors from which other young adults can learn. All the speakers have clear enunciation and speak expressively without getting emotional. Usually the narrators alternate between stories, sometimes following a musical interlude. Using several narrators makes a pleasant variety that enhances interest. The performance of a few of the stories is enhanced by the use of two speakers reading different parts within the same story. The recording could be used very effectively to motivate students to read the book on their own.
Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

From Booklist

According to the introduction, overwhelming requests from readers of previous Chicken Soup editions and voluminous submissions of other teens' personal stories inspired this newest offering. No doubt, the series' New York Times best seller status and impressive library circulation were added incentives. Like many inspirational books from multiple (mostly non-professional) writers, Soul II's selections vary in quality. Some stories in each of the eight thematically organized sections are truly poignant and masterfully written. Others, though sincere, seem trite and melodramatic. Yet even the essays likely to make adult readers cringe share youthful insights that will resonate with truth for many teens. More important, in every case the editors remain true to their promise to take the teen reader on "a journey of becoming your best self." Besides the brief essays that make up the bulk of the text, poems, cartoons, and quotations add variety to the reading. Roger Leslie --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.; Unabridged Version edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558746161
• ISBN-13: 978-1558746169
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (158 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Teens > Religion & Spirituality

More About the Author

Kimberly Kirberger is the coauthor of the best-selling Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series, Chicken Soup for the College Soul and Chicken Soup for the Parent's Soul, as well as author of the Teen Love series. Kimberly is also president of Inspiration And Motivation for Teens, Inc. (I.A.M. for Teens), an organization dedicated to supporting and helping teens, and she has recently formed Soup and Support for Teachers and Teens, a nonprofit organization that provides books and curriculum guidelines to teachers, therapists and rehabilitation centers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of the most inspiring books i have ever read!, May 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II (Paperback)

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is an excellent book for every teenager, and anyone who wants to understand what problems teenagers are facing these days. This book contains stories that range from incredibly funny to sad and serious, but yet uplifting. All teenagers facce hardships that have to do with self esteem and fitting in. It is a book that you can go to when you are having problems. I feel tha tevery teenager can relate to this book. It is a good book to uplift your spirits. I recently had some trouble with one of my friends. The book was very helpful and helped us get over our differences. However, there was one story that really touched me. it was titled "A Lesson for Life". The quote at the beginging sort fo explains it all: "The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core strength within you that survives all hutr." It is about a boy who stand up for another boy when he is being picked on. This story changed my life in a way. I started to look around, and I realized that many people around me felt that they did not fit in. I suddenly thought that I was not very confident about myself, but I wanted to help others. The less that I started to worry about myself, and getting to know others, the more and more confident I became about myself. I now have a very happy life, and when someone feels down about their self, I can relate to them and give them advice. More people in this world should be friendly and stick up for others. The book teaches life lessons that everyone should be aware of. One of my friends's parents read the teenage version of htis book when her daughter was done. They previously had a rocky relationship, and everything has changed for the better since then. Another story in this book that has helped me in the struggle as a teenager was titled "No Matter What Happens". It is about growing up and how to deal with it. This book is a great place to turn to when you are looking for inspriration or help in life. You can relate to almost everything in the book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kleenex Needed to Read, December 1, 1999

By 

Jennifer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II (Paperback)

Warning: Do not read this book without a box of Kleenex. This book is filled with stories that make you smile, make you laugh, and yes, some that make you cry. Anyone not knowing what to get the teen in their life his year, get them this book, and the first one too. Whenever I am down, I can pick up this book and I know that I am not the only one out there that feels down sometimes. I cannot say enough about this book, it is wonderful, inspiring, and leaves a permanent mark on you heart. There is something in this book for everyone: the reject, the popular kids, the loners, the caring, and especially the delicate teen, whose egos are easily shaped by one cruel comment. This book proves the statement: you are not alone.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chicken Soup 2 Nutrition Label, February 15, 2000

By 

Bret (Deep River CT U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicken Soup For The Teenage Soul 2 (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Chicken Soup for the Soul (Pb)) (School & Library Binding)

Have a problem, read Chicken Soup. Feel down in the dumpsters, read Chicken Soup. Having another great day, read Chicken Soup. Wondering what Chicken Soup is by now, it's an inspiring novel by three different authors including Jack Canfield. Within this book, Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2, are a series of life stories written and told by the people that had them happen to them, both sad and glad. For instance, one story tells about a boy who strives to tell his dad he loves him, but he can't, being held back by common teenage embarassment. Ironically, later that day his dad is killed as result of a tragic and deadly accident. Out of this, the boy learns when it comes to emotions not to hold them back. I myself really enjoyed the book and was introduced to it from other friends of mine also fans of the Chicken Soup series. As stated in the author's note of the story, the book helps soothe one's emotions when read, and truthfully it does. It teaches you you're not alone, and a problem you may have can be fixed. Also the organization in this book was phenomenal, breaking it up into 6 parts: relationships, friendship, love and kindness, tough stuff, family, and learning lessons. This was a great book and overall experience, and as you see I highly recommend it.