Stepliving for Teens: Getting Along with Stepparents, Parents, and Siblings (Plugged In) [Paperback]

Joel D. Block Ph.D. (Author), Susan Bartell (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Plugged In

There are nearly 16 million teens living in stepfamilies in the United States-and almost 1 million new teens entering stepfamilies each year! And although there are books that may help teens cope with divorce, what about life after divorce? Stepliving for Teens explores real questions from real teens living in stepfamilies. In question-and-answer format, the book covers a wide range of actual stepfamily concerns like: "What should I do if my parent tells me one thing and my stepparent says something else?", "I feel guilty having fun with my father and stepmother when my mom is alone. What should I do?", and "My mother and stepfather are having a baby. Will they forget about me?" Not only will teens get honest answers from two psychologists who specialize in teenagers and stepfamilies, but also straight-talk advice from other step-teens who know what it's like dealing with "steps" everyday.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-Block and Bartell lay it on the line for the burgeoning number of young people facing the uncertainties of stepliving such as what you call your new stepparent or what you do when rules change. Capitalizing on group-therapy techniques, the authors address pressing issues from a can-do perspective, using the voices of several teens and parents who have gone through it all. Providing more than just scenarios and outcomes, the authors go through the decision-making process showing how to face problems or fears and overcome them. Strong on communication, they appeal to teens to open up and talk about their feelings. They provide lawyer-inspired "form letters" with fill-in-the-blank customizations for dealing with parents calmly and rationally. The writing style is relaxed, entertaining, often humorous, yet highly informative. The fonts and graphics embellish the text. A guidebook to return to again and again, this is a must-have for all libraries serving teens.
Lisa Denton, J. S. Russell JHS, Lawrenceville, VA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Price Stern Sloan (March 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843175680
• ISBN-13: 978-0843175684
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #894,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Choice, June 25, 2001

By 

Jann Blackstone-Ford (Discovery Bay, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stepliving for Teens: Getting Along with Stepparents, Parents, and Siblings (Plugged In) (Paperback)

As a an author and mediator that works with stepfamilies, I do not come across books about which I say, "I wish I had written that", but Stepliving for Teens is one of those books. It's written for older adolecents and younger teens, and tackles some of the BIG subjects that really concern kids living in stepfamilies. I highly recommend this book to older kids, younger teens, and their parents and I thank the authors for writing it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mostly great, some I disagree with, August 8, 2008

By 

L. Verni "L. Verni" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stepliving for Teens: Getting Along with Stepparents, Parents, and Siblings (Plugged In) (Paperback)

My husband and I bought this book in hopes of helping his teenaged sons cope better with our new "combined family." The majority of the book is fantastic... it presents some very legitimate concerns that are likely on the minds of many teens, as well as many suggestions of good ways to deal with those issues. I think the book could make many teens feel less "misunderstood," and realize that their feelings are normal, and that there are many effective ways they can deal with the ups and downs.

However, at the end of each section, there is a segment called "What if it still doesn't work?" (As in, what if I've tried all of these things to no avail?) This is where we have the problem... there are several of these segment endings that suggest the teen do things such as stay in their room most of the time and focus on planning for when they're old enough to move out, or to get the help of others to arrange for changes in custody, etc.

While I agree that there are certainly situations in which such measures would be appropriate (such as changing custody due to physical or mental abuse), we do not think it's appropriate to suggest teens take such steps over things like siblings borrowing their things without asking, arguing with their step parent, etc.

Overall, it was a good book for us adults to get a closer view of how the kids may feel, but we are still undecided as to whether or not to give it to the kids to read because we feel these few "segment endings" are inappropriate. It's a shame, because the majority of the book is fantastic. Fortunately, our kids are not having any huge problems, so if we decide not to pass it on it will still be okay. But still a shame because it could have been a fantastic resource for them.

Overall, I would suggest reading it yourself first and then deciding whether to pass it on to the kids.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent choice!, May 25, 2001

By 

Kim M Bertram (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stepliving for Teens: Getting Along with Stepparents, Parents, and Siblings (Plugged In) (Paperback)

I run a website for stepfamilies and am always reading and recommending books to them. After having read this one, I knew it would be perfect for stepchildren. The book focuses on real questions & problems from actual children and answers from two psychologists who work with families. A wonderful book for any child who finds his/herself in the midst of a new family. What I liked most about this book was that it dealt with topics other books for kids haven't touched, including crushes on stepsiblings. One of my favorite parts of the book was the "fill in the name" letter stepchildren can give to a stepparent when kids feel they're being pushed into having a relationship with the new parent. As a stepmom, the book gave me insight into issues my stepson may have now and in the future and has better prepared me for whatever lies ahead! I recommend it to every stepfamily.