All three of these Magaination Press guides or handbooks are perfect for teens ranging from middle grade to high school. The books are expertly written yet accessible for readers. The friendly tone in each book will engage and empower readers with sound advice from experts. Educators, school counselors and caregivers everywhere need resources for teens that help them become their best selves. All three of these books belong in every school library.
The Friendship Book
Wendy L. Moss, PhD, Author
Magination Press, Nonfcition, Feb. 16, 2021
Suitable for ages: 8-12
Synopsis: Do you know what it takes to be a good friend and make new ones?
Take a peek inside to see how your friends can help you feel accepted and connected through your shared time together and ways to make sure you are giving back the same appreciation and support in your friendship, so you can be a good friend too!
Teens will read about the definition of a friend, how you can make sure you are ready to be a good friend and the complications and joys of having a best friend. The book starts with a quiz for teens about what they want in a friendship, followed by the results which gives them a starting point as they begin to read. Throughout the book, readers will learn about how other kids have made and kept friends even though a variety of situations: bullying, peer pressure, trust, competition, changing interests, mistakes and forgiveness, And more quizzes at the end of each chapter.
The Hero Handbook
Matt Langdon, Author
Magination Press, Nonfiction, Jan. 27, 2021
Suitable for ages: 9-13
Publisher’s Synopsis: Heroes inspire us to take chances, do hard things, and sometimes even change the world. Heroes are all around us, so how can you be the hero of your own story?
To become a hero, kids can surround themselves with supportive people, boost their self-esteem and self-awareness, find their passion, and have the courage make things happen. This book shows them how to be the hero of their own story and discover their own hero journey.
What makes a hero? Activists. advocates, allies, and friends. Sometimes heroes are our parents, teachers, or siblings. The truth is, heroes are inside everyone, and kids can and discover their inner hero, too!
The Hero Handbook guides you on your own hero journey, helps you identify your goals, and gets you powered up to achieve them. Get ready and GO make a difference in your world!
Zero to 60: A Teens Guide to Manage Frustration, Anger, and Everyday Irritations
Michael A. Tompkins, PhD, Author
Magination Press, Nonfiction, Nov. 10, 2020,
Suitable for ages: 12-18
Publishers Synopsis: High-performance cars can go from zero to 60 in just a few seconds. Anger can feel a lot like that. One minute you are calm, but the next, something sets you on a course to speed out of control. Getting to anger’s edge too fast can cause problems with friends, family school and event self-esteem.
The author offers tips and tricks to help stall anger and leave it by the side of the road. Teens will learn how to calm their body, derail thoughts that fuel anger, and learn how to communicate and de-escalate situations. The book contains teen-appropriate examples, strategies, fun exercises, journaling, a heads-up plan, and vivid illustrations that will help teens improve their relationships, boost self-esteem and manage their anger.
Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.
*Review copies provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.
Children's Books Heal 
These all sound like great books. I can see them helping parents too to help their teens struggling with any of these issues.
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Thanks Natalie. I enjoyed all of the books, but the Hero Journey really grabbed by attention!
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I too am drawn to the Hero one. It’s so important to have heroes in our lives, for adults as well as for kids! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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So many kids today could use the advice and help from these books. I know the mentoring programs in my state have thousands of kids waiting for a mentor. Each manual would help bridge the time until a trustful adult can be in their life. Can’t wait to give all three some of my reading time. Thanks for featuring on MMGM.
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Wish they had books like this when I was growing up. I agree with you, all kids need mentors in their lives — something I’ve always promoted. I’m mentoring several young women right now. Have done it for years.
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These look like really valuable self-help books! I hope these get into the hands of kids who need them—I imagine a lot could. (Semi-related anecdote: there’s a self-help book for kids called What To Do When You Worry Too Much, by Dawn Huebner, and I remember actually seeing it mentioned in an MG novel about a girl with anxiety, All the Answers by Kate Messner.) Thanks for the great post!
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They are wonderful self-help books. Both the books you mentioned sound very interesting — worry is so prevalent among young people. Will have to check out Kate Messner’s book. Thanks for the recommendations!
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Wonderful collection of books. I am particularly interested in Zero to 60. I think if we can help kids learn to manage their anger, we have a much better shot at building a better future. Thanks for telling me about all of these.
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Yes, the Zero to 60, is excellent. I appreciate your thoughts. Management tools for kids dealing with anger or worry are important in the world we live in.
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The Hero book sounds really good. I hope these books are in schools. Kids and Adults need these. What great finds Pat.
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Yes, it is my favorite. All of these books belong in school libraries.
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