Highs! Over 150 Ways to Feel Really, Really Good....Without Alcohol or Other Drugs [Paperback]

Alex J. Packer (Author), Pamela Espeland (Author), Jeff Tolbert (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-Packer does for teen life skills what he did for teen etiquette in his irreverent, humorous, and wise How Rude! The Teenagers' Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior and Not Grossing People Out (Free Spirit, 1997). Highs! is crammed cover to cover with advice, but it's much more than a preachy tome on alternatives to drugs. The first three chapters are on stress reduction, breathing exercises, and how to meditate. The author then proceeds to cover everything from high-minded "highs" like Zen koans and fractals to flat out fun "highs" like creating optical illusions. Shaded text boxes and charts provide fascinating additional information, ideas, and points of view. Numerous "Find Out More" sections point readers to additional materials and Web sites. Written with wisdom and wit, the author brings together an amazing collection of things to do to live a better, fuller life. This is one of the best life-skills books on the market, and it should be on every teenager's bookshelf.
Jane Halsall, McHenry Public Library District, IL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; illustrated edition edition (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575420740
• ISBN-13: 978-1575420745
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,350,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Teen Health > Drug & Alcohol Abuse

More About the Author

Alex J. Packer, Ph.D., is an educator, psychologist, screenwriter, and author of several books including How Rude!™, Bringing Up Parents, and Highs! He is president and CEO of FCD Educational Services, Inc., a Boston-based provider of drug education programs for schools and colleges worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where Was This Book When I Was A Teen?, April 7, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highs! Over 150 Ways to Feel Really, Really Good....Without Alcohol or Other Drugs (Paperback)

Alex Packer has written a funny, educational, and comprehensive book on alternatives to getting high with alcohol or other drugs. The book includes examples of alternative highs from teenagers along with humorous illustrations and up-to-date links to websites. I hadn't realized how many non-chemical alternatives there were to getting high. I can't wait to pass this book on to my teenage nephew. I only wish such a book had been available when I was his age!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read!, April 27, 2000

By 

"belmontian" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highs! Over 150 Ways to Feel Really, Really Good....Without Alcohol or Other Drugs (Paperback)

I highly recomend this book to readers of all ages. Not only is it one of the funniest books i have ever read, it also contains many good methods to sleep better, relax, and most importantly, have fun. The book is true to its title, there are many safe and healthy ways to get a rush of adrenaline, or, just the opposite. There are several full chapters and several partial chapers dedicated to learning how to reduce stress, which is definitly something that most of us need. Another feature of this book is that it tricks kids into learning new things and encouraging a good life style without the feeling of a textbook. I would highly recomend this book to anyone looking for a good, educational, fun, and most of all, entertaining read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Health Book For Intelligent Young People, August 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Highs! Over 150 Ways to Feel Really, Really Good....Without Alcohol or Other Drugs (Paperback)

It's all here - what every teen and young adult needs to know about how to feel really well and really good about themselves. On the premise that human beings like to get high, and that getting high is good, Dr. Packer's newest book tells us how to do it - without relying on alcohol, drugs or other substances. Written and illustrated in an engagingly contemporary way, "Highs" provides the reader with fresh, usable insights on such matters as serenity, nutrition, exercise, and relationships. Organized in three sections and 11 well- outlined chapters, it is possible - perhaps even recommended - that the reader turn to an area of particular interest first. Literate, witty, insightful, and irreverent where it should be, "Highs" is highly recommended to young people and parents alike.