Books published by publisher Zest Books, 2012

Dating is fun…when you’re not getting dumped. But breaking up is not the end of the world, and Dumped will get you through it. A compact read with invaluable advice, Dumped teaches you how to read pre-dump warning signs, confront post-dump exes, laugh at your misfortune (and see it as fortune!), and move on to greener pastures. Complete with real anecdotes from teens in the trenches, Dumped is the ultimate guide to coping, moping, and dealing with heartbreak.

Whether you’re the MVP of your basketball team, an occasional jogger, or a self-acknowledged couch potato, A Girl's Guide to Fitting in Fitness has practical advice that you can really use. The book shows how easy it is to wake up earlier and sharper (using yoga and relaxation techniques), eat healthier foods, and use the little in-between moments of your day―like the commute to school, or the time between classes―to incorporate a little bit of physical activity that will make a big difference. Fitting in Fitness is sure to help even the most devoted TV-addict lead a fitter, healthier, and happier life―without the need for a gym or fancy exercise equipment.

This beautifully illustrated guide shows teens how to create eye-catching jewelry out of found or recycled objects―at very little cost. Fun projects include making pendants out of pebbles; sewing a stylish cuff using scraps of fabric; and fashioning a funky charm bracelet out of extra screws, washers, and other toolbox trinkets. The easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions are suitable for both beginner- and intermediate-level crafters. This book also provides bonus tips on the tools you need to get started, where to find materials, and how to make money from your jewelry.

Middle school is a tough time for nearly everyone, but it can be especially hard on girls. Between social and cultural pressures, academic challenges, family dynamics, changing hormones, and a growing awareness of the world around them, middle school girls often end up feeling voiceless and powerless. They can struggle with speaking in class, standing up for their beliefs, navigating complicated social situations, and generally letting their voices be heard. Speak Up! confronts these issues head on. In a relatable, frank tone, Speak Up! lets young girls know that what they have to say is important and that their thoughts are worth hearing. By presenting real issues and scenarios that girls will recognize from their own day-to-day lives, as well as exploring the negative thoughts and feelings that can hold them back, Speak Up! will supply girls with the tools they need to understand their feelings and speak up in any situation. Interactive exercises, lists, real-life examples, and attractive graphics will keep the readers engaged from start to finish. More than a book about self-esteem, Speak Up! addresses the cultural factors that hold girls back, and features real strategies to enable them in finding, and using, their voices.

Audrey Hepburn's winged eyes. Veronica Lake's peek-a-boo curls. Over the last century, celebrities have been at the forefront of fashion, introducing numerous classic hair and makeup looks to society. Now you can find out where these looks came from―and get them for yourself. This book celebrates fifty beauty icons and examines when each one ushered in a unique look, why it became so legendary, and how to recreate it. Written with celebrity hair stylist Christopher Fulton and celebrity makeup artist Cameron Cohen, this unique collection includes professional tips on how to get the best look, glamorous photos, and easy-to-follow instructions.

Jonathan, Sam, Schulz, and Eric usually spend their summers skateboarding at the park and dreaming about the time when they’ll finally move out of the suburbs. But in the summer of 1994 the four teenagers find a small fortune hidden inside an abandoned house, and that changes everything. The money was a dream come true, but it couldn’t last. Stress, drugs, and dwindling funds raise the stakes and also raise some serious questions about the future. Eighteen years later, Jonathan returns to that life-changing summer to tally up the cost of that discovery and explain how one broken dream led to a totally renewed sense of purpose.

Every two years, media coverage of American elections turns into a horse-race story about who's leading the polls and who said what when. Give young adult readers clear explanations about how our election process actually works, why it matters, and how they can become involved. Using real-world examples and anecdotes, this book provides readers with thorough, nonpartisan explanations about primaries, the electoral college, checks and balances, polls, fundraising, and more. Updated with statistics and details from the 2018 elections, the revised second edition will prepare the next generation of voters for what is sure to be a fascinating 2020 election cycle.

Teen movies are a tremendous part of our culture—and so many of them have become classics. But does anyone really look at what these films are teaching us? Do black leather pants really lead to instant popularity (like they do for Sandy in Grease)? Should you really stalk a girl to win her over (like Lloyd Dobler does in Say Anything)? And if you steal your dad’s car and solicit a prostitute (like Joel in Risky Business), will you really get into an Ivy League school? This hilarious read gives us synopses from 50 classic teen movies and brings to light all the brilliant (well, maybe not) advice offered up in each one. Quotes and quizzes also included.

Broken down in handy A-to-Z fashion, this uncensored, sarcastic, and sharp-witted dictionary gives the lowdown on all of your favorite and not-so-favorite aspects of high school, from prom, hooking up, and graduation to acne, standardized tests, and school shrinks. At a price even a babysitter's income can afford (and in a light paperback format that won't weigh down your backpack), The Dictionary of High School B.S. is an entertaining guide to the ridiculous rules, irritating people, and ongoing dramas that fill four of the most awkward, exciting, and downright confusing years of your life. Each entry begins with a straight definition followed by a series of humorous alternate meanings.

Want an excuse to get friends together? Or looking for an idea for a party your friends will never forget? This ultimate party-planning book for teens includes eighty-seven original ideas (and original takes on classic ideas) for great bashes. Inside you’ll find parties of all kinds, such as an Anti-Valentine’s Day soiree, a haunted house party, and a season finale get-together. Also includes party-planning tips, hosting etiquette, and how to avoid typical party pitfalls. Each idea contains some historical background information, a description of what you’ll need, and guidelines of how to set it up. Fun illustrations and safety and money-saving tips included.

Face it: Falling for your flame is exhilarating, but it can also be downright confusing and, sometimes, even painful. Crush guides you through the whole experience, giving advice on all things from attracting his attention to controlling your own boy-crazy behavior to smooching in the schoolyard. And if (or when) your crush crashes and burns, Crush helps you cope—and bounce back quickly. Including tell-all quotes from real-life teens, Crush reveals the ups and downs of falling—and failing—in love.