Growing Youth

Why would I see the need to write about a horrible “bizarre bullying” experience that I had as a teen in the 1970s, rather than relate all of the glory days I experienced? I think we sometimes forget about how hard it can be for a teen to survive the challenges of growing into adulthood. I believe by sharing one of my own negative life experiences, I can help to demonstrate how serious bullying can be in the lives of teenagers, who are trying to grow up in a tough and sometimes cruel world.

When Eddie wakes up in his neighbor the judge's yard after a particularly vivid dream and with no recollection of how he got there, the trouble begins. Someone or something has caused mischief in the judge's chicken coop, harming his prized rooster. No matter what Eddie says, the judge is convinced he is the culprit and must be punished accordingly.

A four-year-old girl looks back on her life when she was a "little" girl of two and a half. Jamie Lee Curtis perfectly captures a little girl's simple, childlike celebration of herself. This spirited view of growing up is perfect for the youngest readers.

Hope is our children's window for a better tomorrow. In terms of resilience and well-being, hope is a critically important predictor of success. This creative story from the best-selling author of My Mouth is a Volcano!, and Bubble Gum Brain, reminds children that dark clouds can be temporary and asking for help is always okay. We all have times when we need to borrow a little hope from someone else.