The Teenager's Guide to the Real World [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Marshall Brain (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1997

"The Teenager's Guide to the Real World" starts from the central reality that teenagers get to design their own lives. Many of the choices that teenagers make as teenagers will affect them for the rest of their lives. This book is designed to help teenagers see the amazing freedom they have to control their lives and their destinies, and to then help them make good decisions about the future. After reading this book teenagers understand a great deal more about themselves and the world around them. They are able to think about their choices with a new clarity and understanding, and are therefore able to begin planning a path toward success.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

What are the rules to the game of life? "The Teenager's Guide to the Real World" contains the answers to that question. This is the book I wish someone had handed me when I was a teenager. It explains the game of life and shows you why adults do the things they do. It will help you to become a successful adult yourself, but more importantly it will help you make a lot more sense of what is happening in the world around you.

From the Back Cover

"The Teenager's Guide to the Real World" provides in-depth guidance on making the transition into adulthood and laying the foundation for success. Learn how to: - Get adults to take you seriously. - Improve your confidence and self-esteem. - Find an enjoyable job and be well paid. - Love and be loved, and make smart choices about sex. - Function successfully in your business and personal life. - Manage your money. - Plan for success. Explore the companion web site (http://www.bygpub.com/books/tg2rw/) for additional resources for teenagers!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: BYG Publishing; 1st edition (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965743039
• ISBN-13: 978-0965743037
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,370 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Teens > Education & Reference > Social Science

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The one essential read for teenagers, December 19, 1999

By 

Matthew Beeman (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Teenager's Guide to the Real World (Paperback)

I found this book while strolling through Barnes & Noble one day. I was 16 at the time and starting to discover that sometimes the adult world does not coincide with my wants or my needs. My parents were making me pay this dreaded thing called insurance on my car and their were expenses associated with my car I hadn't even thought about like registration, tags, inspections, and property tax. This book makes it very clear in its section on money that as a teenager, you probably cannot make it in the real world on your own. This book is straight forward and simple, telling the honest truth about the adult world. I am 18 now and am still finding real life examples of situations described in the book. I was somewhat prepared for them after reading the book, even though I didn't like them, but these experiences were in no way traumatic or heart-breaking as they would have been if I had not read the book. It is the only book teenagers must read for themselves, especially my sister, for who this book came out five years too late.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a solid book that every teenager should read, February 24, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Teenager's Guide to the Real World (Paperback)

I first bought this book about 4 years ago with my daughter in mind (she is now 19). I read it first and was very impressed with the down-to-earth way the writer laid out the realities of adulthood. I grew up with four older brothers and have three kids of my own. I know from that experience that a lot of teenagers reach a point where they become obsessed by "getting out on their own" or "getting their own place". They don't think about what is realistically necessary in order to succeed on their own.

This book is written in a way that grabs your attention and serves as a wake-up call. For the previous reviewers who complained that the author did not advocate sex among teenagers, what adult in his/her right mind would do so? However, he DID NOT say it isn't an option....obviously it is. What he said was in the context of keeping yourself from making a mistake that could actually ruin....yes, ruin....the rest of your life.

His main theme seems to be that the choices you make today WILL affect you down the road, and he points out ways to make the right kind of choices.

After I read it, I shared it with my daughter. She read it cover to cover, and has referred to parts of it ever since. I then passed it on to my (then) 17-year-old stepson -- whom I don't think even cracked it open, but hey, I tried. Now I am buying it for my (now) 17-year-old stepson, who I will strongly encourage to read it.

Great book for parents and teenagers to share -- TOGETHER !

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable Book, January 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Teenager's Guide to the Real World (Paperback)

I find it amusing that some of the reviewers giving poor reviews of the book make clearly erroneous statements. For example, one reviewer mentioned the emphasis on 'material things' in the book, saying how Brain focuses exclusively on making money. But if they would have actually read the book, it would make sense that they would have noticed the chapter entitled "Material Things Will Not Bring You Happiness" (duh). Also to the person saying that he doesn't even consider teenage sex as an option, did you miss the chapter "Teenage Sex Is An Option" ? How careless can you be? Obviously these people did not read the book.
It offers many common sense things (common sense to people who have gone through them) for teenagers. I am 20 and I consider myself pretty well-versed in the world, having held many types of jobs in addition to attending college. I've been involved in taking care of the family finances, so I know many of the unknowns out there, and this book still offered me such good advice that I'd recommend it to not just teenagers, but any young adult who is just getting started in the real world.