Self Help Books for Teens….Another Way To Reach Them

Self help and inspirational literature seems to be the hot thing these days, and there surely is a lot to choose from!  Sometimes the right book can  provide much needed inspiration, guidance and hope.  If you are feeling as though you are having trouble getting through to your teenager, consider bringing in some outside voices. Your teen may be more open to hearing some of these messages from others, and the real-life stories about other teens can drive the points home in a big way.

There are many inspirational books for teenagers, some written by their peers and some written by the industry leaders. Here are a few good ones:

The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make for teens: Of course you know the famous father, Stephen Covey of 7 Habits fame, his son Sean has written The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make for teens.   The six big areas Covey focuses on involve getting a good education, choosing true friends, getting along with parents, dating and sex, avoiding addictions and establishing a sense of self-worth. The book is designed so that you don’t have to read it straight through; it is comfortable in its approach for teens and it includes graphics, cartoons, movie quotes as well as facts that should help even the most skeptical kid take heed.

What Color is Your Parachute for Teens; Discovering Yourself, Defining your Future... The classic by Richard Bolles has been recreated by Bolles  and career strategist Carol Christen.  The book is designed to guide teens to zero in on their favorite skills and apply that knowledge so they get the most out of school, set goals, and find their dream jobs. The book is filled with interactive exercises, worksheets, and profiles of young adults who have found their unique paths in life. If you are like me, there is comfort in coming back to new versions of reliable classics from experts we have relied upon for years.

The Success Prinicples for Teens: You know Jack Canfield of  “Chicken Soup” fame; more recently he published “The Success Principles” which some consider a classic in this genre.  He invited Kent Healy to apply the “success principles” for teenagers. This book includes 23 of the most important success strategies used by thousands of exceptional young people throughout history.  This book provides courage and heart and can be a boost to a teen who needs it to forge ahead.
Here’s  more info.

Kent Healy is an interesting story on his own.  Kent has been an entrepeneur since the age of 17, and his journey toward personal fulfillment and transformation had him at 22 teaching a high school class called The Science of Success. He is an inspirational speaker, author and columnist, young enough to have a voice that resonates with young people today.

What books can you recommend that have resonated with your teen?  Please share in the comments section.