Where Should I Sit at Lunch? The Ultimate 24/7 Guide to Surviving the High School Years [Paperback]

Harriet S. Mosatche (Author), Karen Unger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 27, 2006

Everything teenagers need to know about surviving the four most dramatic and difficult years of their lives

Written especially for teens aged 13-17, this is the ultimate all-in-one survival guide for today's "desperate" high schoolers. The authors are soughtafter speakers who talk to teens all the time--and they tell it like it is, dishing up the no-nonsense advice that teenagers are looking for. They set the record straight on peer groups, part-time jobs, colleges, homework, family, friends, and rivals. Where Should I Sit at Lunch? offers real-life stories from teens who've "been there, done that" and tips from teen-friendly experts. And yes, they tell them where to sit at lunch, too.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get a grip on high school with insider advice from experts and teens just like you.

You've heard the horror stories about high school--the competition, the cliques, the calculus!--but those four years don't have to be a nightmare. In fact, they can be amazing, especially when you have the right advice. Where Should I Sit at Lunch? gives you expert answers to all your important questions, straight from high school students who've been there and done that--and lived to tell about it.

Q: How can you handle the schoolwork?
A: "Don't overload yourself the first year. If you freak out your first year, you'll find the rest of high school impossible." --Shaheen, 16

Q: How can you resolve conflicts with your family?
A: "When you are angry with them, try to put yourself in their shoes." --Eliot, 20

Q: And how do you figure out where to sit at lunch?
A: "Look for a group that seems open and friendly. Make eye contact. If someone smiles, take a seat." --Julia, 14

Filled with checklists, quizzes, and tons of insider tips, this 24/7 handbook gives you the 411 on:

• Getting comfortable in your body
• Working and managing your money
• Preparing a term paper--without all-nighters
• Balancing time with friends and family
• Negotiating love and dating
• Choosing a college and much more!

About the Author

Harriet S. Mosatche, Ph.D., and Karen Unger, M.A., are the authors of Too Old for This, Too Young for That: Your Survival Guide for the Middle-School Years. Dr. Mosatche is the senior director of Research and Programming for Girl Scouts of the USA. She and her daughter write a popular advice column on www.girlscouts.org. Unger is a writer, editor, and former manager of program development for the Girl Scouts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (February 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071459286
• ISBN-13: 978-0071459280
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,395,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Since 1997, I've been giving advice online. My site (http://www.AskDrM.org) has separate columns for kids, teens, young adults, and parents. My co-advisors include my son, a recent college graduate, and my daughter, a college senior. We don't always agree, so readers get different perspectives on their issues. I have a Ph.D. in developmental psychology, which has given me a solid background in research and in understanding how children and adolescents develop. I use my knowledge and experience for my book projects as well as for my work as a program development and evaluation consultant. Whenever I am working on a book, I do lots of interviews and focus groups. Previously, I have been a college professor in psychology and a vice-president for Girl Scouts of the USA. I love to give talks to community groups, at schools, and on radio and television. I am also interviewed frequently by newspaper and magazine writers. Sharing information and helping kids and parents deal with concerns, such as bullies and family communication problems, are important to me. For example, when I appeared on the Today Show, I spoke about Internet safety and was able to provide advice that could help kids avoid dangerous situations. My volunteer work includes being a member of the American Bar Association Commission on Youth at Risk and the Advisory Commission to the Standing Committe on Public Education.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Teens, Professionals and Parents, September 10, 2006

By 

Eve Jacobs "Social Worker and Mother of three... (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where Should I Sit at Lunch? The Ultimate 24/7 Guide to Surviving the High School Years (Paperback)

I am a clinician working with adolescents. I have "Where Should I Sit at Lunch" prominently displayed in my offices (and my own home). Numerous patients have picked up the book and asked to borrow it. They have come back saying the book was very helpful and made them feel more comfortable about their worries. As one 14 year old said.. "it's so nice to see that other people feel the same way".
A 16 year old boy said "it's better than my therapy, the book gave me good suggestions on how to handle feeling shy and left out. And you don't have to bother reading stuff you don't want to, just go to the part that interests you." I feel that the Author's are empathic, practical and have put together a book that is readable and believable. THey clearly know teenagers and their struggles. The book is especially user friendly to pre-teens and teens. It is definitely a book that every parent should buy and leave lying around the house. It is truly a '24/7 guide to Surviving the High School Years".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what high school really is like!, September 10, 2006

By 

Y. Zhang "Graduated in '06 from high school" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Where Should I Sit at Lunch? The Ultimate 24/7 Guide to Surviving the High School Years (Paperback)

I thought this book was right on. It definitely helps. High school is such a hard time now, and most parents don't understand that. They always say that they understand because they were there, but honestly their experience is different because each individual's experience is different. All the topics in the book are exactly what high school teens are thinking about. Sorry parents, but it is the truth and it's good to have a guide that actually hits the true points of high school and not the ideal points. There is so much peer pressure that sometimes we make the wrong decisions, but with something like this guide to fall back on then there is not as much to worry about. Also, most guides are geared towards girls, but they are not the only ones with problems. So having parts about the troubles that guys have makes it that much better.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Advice for Worried Teens, September 10, 2006

By 

Brian L. Heaps "Family Guy" (New Rochelle, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Where Should I Sit at Lunch? The Ultimate 24/7 Guide to Surviving the High School Years (Paperback)

I bought this book for my 14 year old son so that he could begin to understand some of the things that go on in high school so that he could read about real experiences instead of my outdated memories. This book gives insight into everything he could need help with like school, friends, body image, relationships, dealing with family, and more. In particular the first hand quotes from actual high school students showed him that there are a range of things that he could encounter in the next four years, and it would be perfectly normal. He has taken away a new comprehension of what goes on in grades 9-12 besides classes which has made him much more comfortable with the transition that will take place at the beginning of this school year.