A collection of 8 inspirational stories for teens, about teens, their families, their relationships, their challenges and their triumphs. Most of the characters in this book are real, except for their names and a few other details. Some live in the future, some have problems reading, some just moved to a new school and some struggle with domestic violence. They are normal kids with real challenges and inspiring solutions. Whether they are different, from the future, from a different country or have special circumstances, the characters of Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers, teenagers and adults, deal with the dilemma of giving up their significance to gain love. They struggle with body image, social acceptance, family relationships, school, diversity and inclusion. Invariably, it's their attitude that determines their fate. "Bojé's Magic Powder" is the story of Sam, who feels different and isolated because of her eating habits, while her classmates think she has an advantage. "Beauty Queen" is the story of Michelle, a beautiful girl with a secret, who must work out the priorities in her life and find her inner beauty. "Be Special, Be Yourself" is the story of Adam, who migrates to another country and tries to fit in, without giving up his values. "Curly Line with Flowers" is the story of Jessie, a dyslexic girl, who writes a diary of her brave struggle for acceptance. "The Building of Life" describes one class' attempt to create a perfect setup for a group of people living in a building, while coming to grips with some of the realities of their own life. "The Guidance Counselor" is the story of Tommie, who is physically abused and builds his inner strength to set himself free. "Love Me, Love Me Not" is a "chain story" about the desire that teenagers and adults have to be loved and things they will do to fulfill that desire. "Biography" is the story of Daniel, who finds out, with the help of a classmate, just how much he is loved by the people around him. The author says, "This book is a tribute to my heroes, teens and parents, teachers and friends, people I had met throughout my life, had been great inspiration to me and needed to be known. It is about teens who are juggling the need to be unique with the need to be loved and accepted by others and their wonderful ways to be true to themselves."

Be Special, Be Yourself is a collection of short stories for teenagers, dealing with conflict between the desire to be unique and the desire to be loved and accepted. Whether they are different, from the future, from a different country or have unusual circumstances, the characters of Be Special, Be Yourself, teenagers and adults deal with the dilemma of giving up their significance to gain love. They struggle with body image, social acceptance, family relationships, school, diversity and inclusion. Invariably it's their attitude that determines their fate.

Margaret Houk helps young teens develop positive feelings of self-esteem. She invites them to take a personal inventory and to appreciate what they see in themselves. Teens get tips on identifying negative messages, checking them out with reliable sources, and substituting constructive ways of thinking. They also find out how to resolve conflicts, build trustworthy friendships, and handle sexuality in acceptable ways.

Stop comparing yourself to others—you’re special just as you are! In this fun, practical guide, you’ll learn how to silence your nit-picky inner critic, cultivate self-compassion, and discover what really matters to you. If you’re like many teens, you probably feel pressured to live up to the impossible standards set by our culture, the media, and even by your peers. After all, everyone wants perfect hair, a perfect body, cool friends, and good grades. But while it’s okay to strive to be your best, it’s also easy to get caught up in a never-ending comparison game that can feed your inner critic and rob you of your happiness. So, how can you break free from negative self-criticism and learn to appreciate your strengths? In Just As You Are, psychologist Michelle Skeen and her daughter, Kelly Skeen, offer simple tips to help you overcome feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, stop comparing yourself to others, and be more open and accepting of all aspects of who you are. You’ll also learn how to be more aware of your thoughts and feelings in the moment using powerful mindfulness tools, and build a plan of action for the future based on your values. Sometimes it’s hard to see yourself with clarity and kindness. With this important guide, you’ll learn to move past your faults, celebrate your true strengths, and discover what really matters in your life. What are you waiting for?

Cassandra is hassled by her friends for sitting with the “wrong” kids at lunch. Jennifer gets harassed because she’s overweight. Dwan’s own family taunts her for not being “black enough.” Yen is teased for being Chinese; Jamel for not smoking marijuana. Yet all find the strength to face their conflicts and the courage to be themselves. In 26 first-person stories, real teens write about their lives with searing honesty. They will inspire young readers to reflect on their own lives, work through their problems, and learn who they really are.

''Stop comparing yourself to others-you're special just as you are!'' That's the message psychologist Michelle Skeen and her daughter, Kelly Skeen, instill in teen readers with this unique self-help guide. With this fun and engaging book, teens will learn how to silence their nit-picky inner critic, overcome feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness, cultivate self-acceptance and self-compassion, and discover what really matters to them.