Books in It Happened to Me series

Teens live in an imperfect world where people judge each other on looks, popularity, bank accounts, or clothing styles-a world where people are not always treated fairly. But animals do not care about poor test scores or bad skin; they simply love unconditionally. Such devotion makes the human-animal bond so special.In Animals and Teens: The Ultimate Teen Guide, author Gail Green illustrates various situations in which young adults become involved with animals, including providing foster care, pursuing career opportunities, or simply raising pets at home. Green shows how animals can enhance teens' lives and how teens can improve the welfare of animals that face abuse or live in shelters and wildlife preserves. Green discusses what is involved in the handling of service animals, such as dogs that provide physical assistance or horses that help with therapy. Animals and Teens also covers such basics as caring for animals and dealing with the loss of a pet. The voices in this book come from a large cross section of teens and young adults whose stories will resonate with anyone who loves animals. From helping with animal rescue to overcoming learning disabilities, these heartwarming experiences demonstrate how each of us can make a difference through the incredibly rewarding human-animal bond.

The book features extended interviews with four or five children/young adults who are drug addicts. The interviews are carefully constructed to cover both the emotional as well as the practical consequences. The aim is not to be sensational but sympathetic and informative. Extended endmatter provides advice, contact numbers and addresses. The text itself is in a question and answer format, recording as literally as possible the answers of the person being interviewed. Talking points and black and white photographs are also included.

Money: Getting It, Using It, and Avoiding the Traps: The Ultimate Teen Guide, is a concise, practical book for young adults that addresses the all-important issue of money. Author Robin Brancato provides answers to the toughest questions you'd ever ask about money, including: How much should parents and guardians subsidize you? Is it fair if money gifts from Grandma have strings attached? If you want a job, how do you get one, and how do you make sure the benefits outweigh the hassles? What kind of business could you start on your own? How can you negotiate finances gracefully within your family and on your job? Can you discipline yourself to put money away, and, if so, where? What does the fine print on the credit card contract say? What are the exact terms of the cell phone deal? And how do you deal with the friend who borrows and never pays back? These questions are not only answered by the author, but also by teen contributors who share their own personal stories. Additionally, full bibliographical source listings, which steer readers to courses, activities, organizations, and web sites, are included. The concluding pages―complete with self-evaluations―will help young adults gain financial confidence for now and for the years ahead.

More than 70 percent of America's 60 million young people believe they can make a difference in their communities, and the numbers support their assertions. Teenagers spend 2.4 billion hours annually in volunteer service, and their labor is worth $34.3 billion to the U.S. economy. Volunteering brings emotional satisfaction, provides opportunities for learning skills that can be used in the job market, and helps teens to make career choices. But the major reasons that teens cite for performing volunteer service is the compassion they feel for people in need and the belief that they improve the quality of life for others.Volunteering: The Ultimate Teen Guide is a complete guide for teens who want to volunteer. Young people get a complete picture of what volunteering involves, including the personal commitment and the physical and emotional stamina, as well as the positive—and sometimes negative—consequences. This book is filled with inspiring and rewarding stories from teen volunteers who testify to the benefits and the immense personal satisfaction as a result of their volunteer efforts. Volunteering is a wonderful resource for both teens as well as those who work with teens on how to use one's time and energy to positively impact society and to gain personal satisfaction from helping others.

The United States has more religious groups than any other country in the world. Religion and Spirituality in America: The Ultimate Teen Guide provides an introduction to some of the diverse religious practices, traditions, and expressions in the United States and focuses on how teenagers view their particular religious faith (or lack of it), what they believe, what conflicts they encounter, and how they relate to others whose religions differ from theirs.This book is designed for the inquisitive youth searching for answers to life's most difficult questions related to religion and spirituality. Whether these young people are well into their teen years or just entering them, they will gravitate to this book because of its direct, up-to-date information, riveting teen views, and lively illustrations. Besides highlighting singular facts, author Kathlyn Gay offers the latest reading lists, web sites, and an index for quick reference. Perfect for browsing, there's loads of expert information to help parents, guardians, and especially teens understand and respect the vast religious differences that exist in the United States.

Each book takes the form of extended interviews with six children/young adults who have had the experience specified in the title. The interviews are carefully constructed to cover both the emotional as well as the practical consequences. The aim is not to be sensational but sympathetic and informative. Extended endmatter provides advice, contact numbers and addresses. The text itself is in a question and answer format, recording as literally as possible the answers of the person being interviewed. Statistical information and questions to promote discussion are also provided. Runaway looks at six children who ran away from home and looks at their reasons and experiences. Excluded features children who have been excluded from school, and the effect it had on them.