Chicken for the Teenage Soul II

Chicken for the Teenage Soul II

101 More Stories of Life, Love and Learning

   This book, written by teenagers, explores the world of them. It's a book which speaks directly to teenagers. Each of the touching stories expresses their dreams, courage, conflicts, or a new outlook of life. Growing up is never an easy, but experience always helps. Just as what Melody Beattie points out,

   Other people may be there to help us, teach us, guide us along our path.

But the lesson to be learned is always ours.

In reading this book, I understand more about teenagers and gain a new and different concept of them.      

   There are eight chapters in this book.

   1. On relationships

     I like the quote in the chapter:

     Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they

arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

   2. On friendship

The poem, "I Need You Know" tells how desperate a girl is for desired

friendship:

My friend, I need you now-

Please take me by the hand.

Stand by in my hour of need,

Take time to understand...

   3. On love and kindness

     I am moved by the story, "Change for a Dollar." It's about a slow boy who is

trying to thrust a dollar bill in the drink machine. But his attempts prove

unsuccessful. No teenager around him tries to give him a hand. But a caring girl

comes forward and gives the poor boy some change. In return, the boy gives

her the crumpled dollar bill. The girl does a wonderful thing to help a person

in need. She does just as Carmelia Elliot says,

Make yourself a blessing to someone. Your kind smile or pat on the back just

might pull someone back from the edgy.  

It's a story to tell the importance of being a compassionate person.             

   4. Tough stuff

     "Hero of the "Hood" is a story that definitely moves readers into tears. It tells

how a teenager, Mike, endeavors to overcome all the troubling problems of

real life. He himself alone takes care of his brothers and sisters. It is hard to

imagine what he has been through. It's really touching. I can't but admire

Mike's devotion to his family and his courage to break through all difficulties.  

   5. On family

   6. Learning lessons

     "What I Wish I'd Known Sooner" tells the hard-earned lessons teenagers have

learned. For example,

•  The one person you can truly love is often right in front of you.
•  Being nice to people will get you far.

7. Making a difference

   8. Growing up