Based on the premise that all young people should learn to make decisions, respect themselves, and resolve challenging problems, this book is a self-help guide for adolescents to develop positive thinking, high self-esteem, and personal power. Exercises guide readers through learning about their own feelings, dreams, and needs while stressing that they are responsible for their own behavior and happiness. Situational anecdotes used to enhance the discussion are age-appropriate and relevant to children. Writing and keeping a journal are encouraged, and group exercises make the book useful in the classroom, family, or guidance group.
Basado en la premisa que todos niños deben aprender a tomar decisiones, respetarse, y resolver problemas difíciles, este libro es una orientación para que los jóvenes sepan cómo defenderse, pensar positivamente, y aumentar su autoestima. Los ejercicios presentan situaciones reales en las que, sin molestar a otras personas y sin meterse en problemas, los lectores logren sentirse mejor consigo mismos y se responsabilicen de su conducta. Motiva a los jovenes para que conozcan todo sobre si mismos y también aprendan a reconocer sus sentimientos, sueños, y necesidades. Escrito para jóvenes y niños, también es recomendable para maestros, orientadores, y padres comprometidos a ayudar a sus hijos a desarrollar habilidades vitales importantísimas y una autoestima sólida.
"Sensible, inviting, never condescending or preachy. . . . A well-crafted book." -- Voice of Youth Advocates
About the Author
Lev Raphael is an assistant professor of American thought and language at Michigan State University. He is the coauthor of Coming Out of Shame and Dynamics of Power. Gershen Kaufman is a professor in the counseling center and psychology department at Michigan State University. He is the author of Shame and The Psychology of Shame, and coauthor of Coming Out of Shame and Dynamics of Power.
Lev Raphael has wanted to be an author since he was in second grade, and he's not only achieved his dream, he's published 19 books in genres from memoir to mystery; had his books translated into nearly a dozen languages; appeared in two documentaries; won various prizes; done hundreds of invited talks and readings on three different continents; recently sold his literary papers (92 boxes!) to the Michigan State University Libraries (MSUL); been the subject of scholarly articles, papers and book chapters; and seen his work taught at colleges and universities around the country. Which means he's become homework. Who knew?
Born and raised in New York, he got over it and has spent half his life in Michigan. He's a pioneer in writing about children of Holocaust survivors, which he's been doing since 1978, longer than almost any other American author. He frequently tours with his books (check http://www.levraphael.com for his current schedule) and is currently touring with My Germany, a memoir/travelogue exploring the role Germany has played in his family, his life, and his career. After he escaped academe to write full-time, he reviewed extensively for over a decade for the Detroit Free Press, Michigan Radio, The Washington Post, Jerusalem Report, The Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Forward, Boston Review, and Lambda Book Report. He now reviews for Bibliobuffet.com and WKAR 90.5 FM/East Lansing Public Radio, and when he's not busy, he sometimes imagines some graduate student years from now in the MSUL archives puzzling over his handwriting.
A seasoned reader of his own work, with a background in theater and teaching, he loves the performance aspect of touring, as well as meeting people he'd never meet back home. And the sightseeing. And the foreign foods. German fans in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hannover, Magdeburg, Dessau and Halle will get to hear him next fall. Stay tuned to this page or check his web site for details of his next German book tour. For photos and description of previous sones, go to http://www.levraphael.com/europe_photos.html.
