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Changing the World One Teen at a Time

Lessons don’t always need to be complicated or long in order to make a lifelong point.  The following list of books is enjoyed by toddlers, but they could be on any teen’s book shelf as well. Instead of a card, why not get them one of these books as a card? Here are seven books to peruse the next time you are at a bookstore:

1.I Knew You Could! by Craig Dorfman

I knew you could picks up where the little engine that could ends. This books discusses how your teen must choose their own track in life and there is no doubt that track will be filled with stops. “You’ll go through tunnels, surrounded by dark, and you’ll wish for a light or even a spark.” The encouragements in lines like “the track you took in must also go out” remind your teen that in tough times there is going to be a way out. They need only believe that they can!

2. Yay, You! Moving out, Moving up, Moving on by Sandra Boynton
This is a great congratulatory book that wishes your graduate well by telling them they have so much to choose from in terms of what they might want to become, do and where they might want to be and this is a good thing. “Is your mind moved by science? Or does art move your soul? So you listen to rivers, or great rock-and-roll?” For any graduate who ponders all the options this book might help turn it into an adventure rather than a scary prospect, and adventures are fun!

3. The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

The dotspeaks to that graduate who has great potential and so many options. So much they don’t make any move at all for fear of failure. The teacher encourages Vashti to “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” Well that was all it took and Vashti discovers what he can do when he loses his fear and just goes for it. Your teen will also need to just make a decision and see where it takes them. It may help to remind them that we learn from all experiences not just the perfect ones.

4. Reach for the Stars by Serge Bloch

In reach for the stars Mr Bloch promises that there will be plenty of choices and ups and downs in life, but the goal of life is to live it. “There’s always time to start from scratch and turn the page on the past.” Because the hills are there to show your teen that they have what it takes to get through the valleys, it is important to always have some voice of encouragement or a reminder of that fact with them so they can “keep their eyes on the prize.”

5. Life Doesn’t Frighten Me poem by Maya Angelou

Life Doesn’t Frighten Me is a beautiful book of Maya Angelou’s poem set to the back drop of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s art. There are challenges in life that can seem overwhelming and it is your teen’s self talk that will get them though. When they know they’re made of the stuff that can overcome difficult challenges, they will have hope when times are difficult. This book can give them that type of powerful self-talk with lines like, “Shadows on the wall, noises down the hall, Life doesn’t frighten me at all.” When your teen has gotten through enough difficult times and either come out on top or been able to pick themselves up and dust themselves off and have at it! They will realize what they are made of that will make it harder to knock them down next time.

6. Forever Young by Bob Dylan

This book reads as any Bob Dylan song as poetry. It is a very nice portrayal of good vibes to your graduate. Dylan’s lyrics are beautifully illustrated by Paul Rodgers and capture the times as well as the sentiment of the song perfectly. Even if your graduate doesn’t know who Dylan is, which is a bit of a travesty on its own, Dylan’s words will be a good vibe they can carry with them forever more. Who knows you may turn them on to other Dylan poetry/lyrics that can help support them throughout their life.

7. Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr Seuss

As only Dr Seuss can this book has the most amazing rhymes to convey the key elements of life’s ups and downs, the bumps in the road and the challenges that make you stronger all the while encouraging that your teen will be a rock star in their chosen craft if only for a moment in some big or small way, “On and on you will hike. And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are. One of the last paragraphs exclaims, “And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ guaranteed). Kid, you’ll move mountains!” And of course they will, it just depends on how they define success.

Related posts:

1. 4 Toddler Books For Teens
2. New Kid on the Block
3. Reading to Build a Future
4. Advice to Graduates, “Wear Sunscreen”
5. Should you give Your Teen Advice?