Books in It Happened to Me series

Exclusively written for teenagers and young adults dealing with a wide variety of learning disabilities-including ADHD and dyslexia-this accessible resource offers the tools for taking a proactive role in identifying, understanding, and overcoming the obstacles facing teens with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities provides a clear and informative overview of the most common disabilities, appealing to teenagers with its easy-to-read format and positive tips for success.

Teens can lead normal, active lives despite having Epilepsy, and this book shows them how other teens are doing so. Through their stories they offer advice on whether and how to tell friends, dates, teachers, or an employer about the condition. Important teen issues, such as driving, dating, sports, and college are addressed. How the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) applies to people with epilepsy is also reviewed.

Relationships forged between siblings are often the longest and strongest bonds in life. From infancy, siblings form and maintain lifelong ties to each other—not only the kinds that share in the joys of life but that also help individuals overcome adversity and heartbreak. Of course, not all sibling relationships are close nor, like any relationship, do siblings agree with each other all of the time. Yet, even after the most intense disagreements, siblings can still find a way to stay close. In Siblings: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Oliva Ghafoerkhan looks at one of the most enduring relationships that exist. In this book, the author explores such issues as sibling rivalry, sibling animosity, and sibling support. The author also looks at the dynamics of particular relationships, such as step-siblings, a sibling who is ailing, or a sibling who has a disability. This book also considers:How personality can be shaped by family birth orderWhy some sibling relationships are close, while others are plagued by conflictHow to deal with the loss of a siblingSibling abuse, the most common form of domestic violenceHow to improve sibling relationshipsDrawing on up-to-date research as well as personal stories of teens and young adults, this book examines the wide variety of sibling relationships, both positive and negative. From the birth of a new sibling until old age—and covering every stage in between—Siblings: The Ultimate Teen Guide will help young adults understand, appreciate, and even enhance one of the most important relationships of their lives.

Anxiety is something that millions of people struggle with on a daily basis, and teenagers are no exception. By some estimates, nearly one in three teenagers have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. Yet many people feel isolated and alone with their experience of anxiety; it can feel like a subject that is off-limits and is often overlooked by parents and friends until it has reached a crisis level. In Anxiety: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Kate Frommer Cik provides valuable information for young adults who are struggling with anxiety, whether it is mild or severe. Cik explores what anxiety is and why we have it, and explains the different types of anxieties, anxiety triggers, coping strategies, and possible paths of treatment. The many personal stories from teenagers shared in this book show that anxiety is not something you have to go through alone, while also revealing how varied anxiety can be from one individual to the next. Their insight into what worked for them delivers helpful firsthand accounts of how relief from anxiety is possible. Drawing upon up-to-date research and interviews, Anxiety: The Ultimate Teen Guide will help young adults better understand why they suffer from anxiety and what they can do to successfully treat it, making this a valuable resource for teens, their family, and friends.

There are a variety of reasons young people turn to drugs, and the impact of such behavior can often be devastating. Whether alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, or the latest drug of choice, substance abuse among teens continues to be a concern. This disorder affects so many people in one way or another, not only the addicted individual but also his or her family members and friends. In Substance Abuse: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Sheri Mabry Bestor looks at the various reasons why young people experiment with drugs and alcohol—and the consequences of doing so. Written to help young adults and those close to them understand substance abuse disorder, this book is full of important and practical information from various experts. In addition to facts, statistics, and advice, this book also provides insights from real people—teen addicts and others—who have been affected by substance abuse. Topics covered in this book include:exposure to alcohol and drugs reasons people experiment with addictive substancesphysical and emotional aspects of addictiontreatment optionsrelapsesrecovery The chapters in this book take readers through the process of substance use to substance abuse, from curiosity and experimentation to full-blown addiction and recovery. The chapters feature not only true life stories, but also contain information about how substance abuse affects the body and brain. Appendixes include a list of resources, including web sites, books, and movies that teens will find useful. Designed to give teens the tools for understanding this disorder from various perspectives, this book is a valuable resource for anyone affected by substance abuse.

As the future of our democratic society, youth from U.S.-born and immigrant backgrounds alike will need to make informed decisions on our diverse nation's behalf. To do so, young adults need to be provided with access to accurate information and varied perspectives about immigration. In Immigration: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Tatyana Kleyn (an immigrant herself) examines the myths and realities of immigration, as well as the laws and policies that regulate it. She explores a number of issues associated with immigration, including cultural clashes and discrimination, the debate on language, undocumented immigrants, and what it means to be an American.The book includes an overview of the nation's history with immigration, definitions of relevant terms, and recent statistical and demographic information. It also discusses why and how many immigrants make the journey to the United States. Other aspects the book addresses include undocumented immigrants and refugees/asylees, laws and policies that either support or hinder immigration, and how young immigrants can reconcile their competing identities.Aiming to generate a discussion on immigration with factual and contemporary information, real life stories, experiences, and quotes from teenagers and young adults, Immigration: The Ultimate Teen Guide presents a comprehensive and engaging approach to informing readers about the varied ways immigration is experienced, viewed, and disputed.

The challenging teen years can be even more difficult for adopted teenagers, many of whom have unanswered questions that may result in fear, anger, and low self-esteem. These feelings may be compounded by the isolation they feel because most friends and family members cannot fully relate to their situation. Adopted: The Ultimate Teen Guide enables young adults to explore their feelings as they read about the personal experiences of other adopted teens. Through these stories, adopted teens can learn how others have resolved some of their adoption issues and gain powerful insights from those who have experienced some of the same frustrations, struggles, and concerns.This book addresses various issues such as:finding out you’ve been adoptedfitting insearching for birth parentsmeeting birth parentsinternational adoptiontransracial adoptionwhat defines a familyThis revised edition also features discussion questions at the end of each chapter that help teens and loved ones acknowledge and verbalize their concerns. With up-to-date statistics, as well as insights from experienced adoption professionals who offer practical advice, this edition of Adopted: The Ultimate Teen Guide is a valuable resource for adopted teens as well as their families and friends.

Despite claims that young people today don’t care about the world they live in and don’t get involved in causes, more and more teens are taking up the fight for things they truly believe in. In fact, there are more than 10,000 members nationwide for the Youth Rights Movement and more than 50,000 members, fans, and supporters of Kids against Animal Cruelty. Many young adults who aren’t involved are simply unaware of how to become activists or where to start championing their causes. In Activism: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Kathlyn Gay explains why people become activists, the types of causes they advocate or oppose, and how teenagers can get involved. Activists are vigorous supporters for issues that are important to them, from social causes to political campaigns. While students often volunteer for a short period of time for school credit, many want to continue doing more outside of the classroom. This book assists those young adults who want to learn more about specific issues and organizations. Chapters are divided by topic and includeYouth rightsTeen healthCampaigns against sexual violence and traffickingAnimal rightsReligious issuesPeace effortsGun control and gun rightsImmigrationThis book also includes a valuable chapter on learning to be an activist and a resource section that lists dozens of organizations dedicated to specific causes. Throughout this book, the author highlights the lives and activities of numerous teens who are long-term activists and also suggests books and films that promote activism. Activism: The Ultimate Teen Guide is a wonderful resource for young adults who are interested in making the world a better place.

When it comes to sex and relationships, it is often difficult to find reliable information. Yet everyone has questions and needs information on these important topics. Young people should have access to facts in order to make their own decisions about their sexuality and sexual health. In this significantly revised edition of Sexual Decisions: The Ultimate Teen Guide, L. Kris Gowen discusses the choices teens can make regarding sexual activity—from practicing safe sex to abstaining—and how to decide what is right for each individual. Many factors are at work in the decision-making process, but this book helps readers make a decision based on both logic and practicality. Updated topics covered in this book includean overview of human anatomyabstinence vs. safe sexSTDs contraceptivescommunicating with one’s partnerintimate partner violencesexual orientation and gender identitysocial media and sexFor teens seeking answers for themselves, this book is a vital resource that includes an additional section for further research. Written without judgment, Sexual Decisions empowers teens to take charge of their bodies, their identities, and their lives.

Out of all reported cases of sexual assault, nearly 70 percent occur with victims who are under the age of seventeen, and it has been estimated that one in ten children will be sexually abused before they turn eighteen. Sexual assault has become an all-too-common occurrence among young adults. An assault can causephysical injuries, STDs and STIs,post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks, anxiety, depression, and other re-experiencing symptoms. It can lead to poor academic performance, substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, and even suicide. Research has also shown that victims of sexual abuse are more likely to confide in friends than in adults, but those friends may not be-equipped to help.In Sexual Assault: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Olivia Ghafoerkhan describes the various ways sexual violence can be perpetrated, discusses myths many teens believe about the subject, and outlines how young adults can get the help they need to begin the healing process. Topics covered includedate rapeabusive relationshipsincestbreaking the silencevictim blamingsupporthealingAn invaluable resource for young people, Sexual Assault: The Ultimate Teen Guide aims to give victims and their friends the courage to report such crimes, advice on where to find help, and hope that life can return to some sense of normalcy after such a horrific experience.

Today's teens are dealing with adult issues and problems that previous generations did not encounter. With little power to control or to affect outcomes, many teens feel overwhelmed, making stress and stress-related problems widespread among today's young people. Stress Relief: The Ultimate Teen Guide makes eliminating stress an art form. Written in a style that appeals to a teen audience, this accessible volume is not about managing stress, but rather about preventing and avoiding it―and eliminating the feelings it causes.

According to a recent U.S. census, approximately 2.5 million children under the age of eighteen have experienced the death of a parent. Losing a parent at such a young age can have devastating consequences. Beyond the grief children and young adults experience, they can be at risk for many negative outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms, as well as diminished self-esteem. Their academic success and relationships with others can also be adversely affected. For these young adults, help is not always easy to find. In Parental Death: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Michelle Shreeve offers a variety of ways in which young people can cope with this tough experience. In addition to outlining the universal difficulties of losing a parent, the author also points out the unique dynamics of specific losses--sons who lose fathers, daughters who lose mothers, sons who lose mothers, and daughters who lose fathers—and what those losses can mean for their future development. This book also identifies how the challenges of life without a parent can affect a young adult at different stages.Featuring real stories and quotes from teens about their experiences, this book shows young adults a variety of views about the death of a parent, and provides coping strategies that young people can call upon to help them through this difficulty. Parental Death: The Ultimate Teen Guide serves as a valuable resource for all teens, whether they are dealing with tragedy personally or are looking for ways to console friends or siblings.