How to Help Your Hurting Friend: Clear Guidance for Messy Problems (invert) [Paperback]

Susie Shellenberger (Author)

Book Description

Series: invert | Publication Date: February 3, 2004

A valuable handbook of practical advice for teenage girls to share with their friends Susie Shellenberger---veteran editor of Focus on the Family's Brio magazine---addresses the most vital, personal, and life-challenging issues in young women's lives so that concerned friends can respond in love and wisdom to their friends who are coping with crises. Presented in handbook form, this biblically-based, relevant, and contemporary-focused book empowers girls to salvage and even save the lives of their troubled peers. No issue is taboo (for example, she addresses self-cutting and sexual abuse) and no advice is ever vague (on the first page, Susie tells her readers that 'Jesus Christ is the one who does the empowering!'). This classic book for teenage girls distills the wisdom of the Bible and combines it with the wisdom of many experienced and anointed counselors. Previously published as Help! My Friend Is Hurting, this reissued edition has a dynamic new format complete with sidebars and intriguing illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A valuable handbook of practical advice for teenage girls to share with their friends

Susie Shellenberger—veteran editor of Focus on the Family’s Brio magazine—addresses the most vital, personal, and life-challenging issues in young women’s lives so that concerned friends can respond in love and wisdom to their friends who are coping with crises. Presented in handbook form, this biblically-based, relevant, and contemporary-focused book empowers girls to salvage and even save the lives of their troubled peers.

No issue is taboo (for example, she addresses self-cutting and sexual abuse) and no advice is ever vague (on the first page, Susie tells her readers that "Jesus Christ is the one who does the empowering!"). This classic book for teenage girls distills the wisdom of the Bible and combines it with the wisdom of many experienced and anointed counselors. Previously published as Help! My Friend Is Hurting, this reissued edition has a dynamic new format complete with sidebars and intriguing illustrations.

About the Author

Susie Shellenberger is a fulltime speaker and has written 51 books. She has a monthly magazine for teen girls called SUSIE Mag and enjoys cuddling with her mini-Schnauzer, Obie. She lives in Colorado and can be reached at: [e-mail] SPANISH BIO: Susie Shellenberger es la directora de Brio, una revista para adolescentes publicada por Focus on the Family (Enfoque a la familia). Ha sido tambien pastora de jovenes y profesora de oratoria y teatro en la escuela secundaria. Susie tambien es co-conductora de Life on the Edge-Live! (Vida al limite - Vive!), un programa de radio semanal con participacion telefonica, especial para adolescentes de todo el pais.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan/Youth Specialties (February 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031025308X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310253082
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,380,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift for Any Special Girl in Your Life, April 25, 2005

By 

Lisa M. Hendey "Mom, Blogger, Podcaster, Author" (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Help Your Hurting Friend: Clear Guidance for Messy Problems (invert) (Paperback)

How to Help Your Hurting Friend (Zondervan, February 2004, paperback, 176 pages) is the type of book I wish someone would have given me when I turned thirteen. Granted, life during my teenage years was much less complicated than what today's teens face - but some of the basic issues confronted by a young lady never change. Susie Shellenberger has written a wonderful book that should be on the top of each caring mom's (or aunt's or grandmother's...) list of books to share with her daughter.

Written in an upbeat, conversational tone, How to Help Your Hurting Friend doesn't make any assumptions. It rightly starts with a section on making friends and walks the young reader through the steps to being a great girlfriend. Rightly, this section of the book culminates with Shellenberger's advice to "Be Jesus to those around you." This is great advice for any of us! Shellenberger's wisdom seems to point towards relationships made better by fostering a giving and loving spirit, rather than what a person will take out of a relationship.

The meat of How to Help Your Hurting Friend is Section Two, which walks the reader through various scenarios that tragically, but realistically, come up frequently in today's society. Eating disorders, depression, internet addictions, illness, self destructive behaviors and sexual abuse are each given detailed treatment by the author. The list of "do" and "don't" suggestions at the end of each of the units provides teens with a good, proactive list of steps they can take to help a friend in need.

The third section of the book contains several letters to Susie, complete with her helpful responses covering a myriad of situations. Also included are some helpful questions, prompts and inspiring articles.

Overall, I believe that How to Help Your Hurting Friend is a great resource for any teen or young adult, although the book will have strong appeal for young women. I plan to read several of the sections of the book with my thirteen year old son. I have to say I gained quite a lot from reading the book myself. If you learn nothing else from How to Help Your Hurting Friend, the one point of wisdom "Be Jesus to those around you" is worth the cover price.