This collection contains inspirational short stories and encouragement on life, love and friends--including the one in the mirror!

Inspiring stories and poems offer support and advice for teenagers coping with divorce, driving, making friends, falling in love, and becoming adults.

“A spare elegant memoir. . . . The immediacy of the child’s viewpoint . . . depicts both conflict and daily life without exploitation or sentimentality.” —Booklist, starred review “When a war ends it does not go away,” my mother says. “It hides inside us . . . Just forget!” But I do not want to do what Mother says . . . I want to remember. In this groundbreaking memoir set in Ramallah during the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War, Ibtisam Barakat captures what it is like to be a child whose world is shattered by war. With candor and courage, she stitches together memories of her childhood: fear and confusion as bombs explode near her home and she is separated from her family; the harshness of life as a Palestinian refugee; her unexpected joy when she discovers Alef, the first letter of the Arabic alphabet. This is the beginning of her passionate connection to words, and as language becomes her refuge, allowing her to piece together the fragments of her world, it becomes her true home. Transcending the particulars of politics, this illuminating and timely book provides a telling glimpse into a little-known culture that has become an increasingly important part of the puzzle of world peace. Winner, Arab American National Museum Book Award for Children’s/YA Literature “Beautifully crafted. Readers will be charmed by the writer-to-be as she falls in love with chalk, the Arabic alphabet, and the first-grade teacher who recognizes her abilities.” —School Library Journal, starred review “A compassionate, insightful family and cultural portrait.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Brims with tension and emotion.” —Publishers Weekly

You can save your relationship! The divorce courts are littered with broken marriages--and broken lives. Yet most people would save their marriages--if only they knew how. Getting back together is the solid, comprehensive guide you can count on to get your relationship back on track. No matter what issues you may face, this step-by-step program shows you how to take the initiative, reconcile your differences, and remake your relationship--from the ground up. In this completely revised edition, Drs. Young and Goetz provide the most current studies and relationship evaluation tools available. They also include numerous inspiring real-life stories of couples that have resurrected and renewed their relationships. Packed full of valuable information and comforting advice, Getting Back Together helps couples beat the odds and build a new, happier life together--forever.

Youngs inspires readers with 25 poignant short stories of people who make a difference in the lives of others. By their example, these individuals show readers how to use their daily lives to improve the world they live in and the lives of others.

Whether your heart is burdened or bursting with joy, nothing satisfies quite like talking things over with another woman. Regardless of the paths our lives take, all women are "sisters"-we speak a common language; we share a universal bond. Because the hopes and dreams that both burden and give flight to a woman's heart dwell within all of us, we create relationships that are intensely rich, precious and prized. Thus, we comfort and encourage each other; we help each other through life's ups and downs; we know each other's experiences as if they were our own; we are a blessing to each other. As this book of beautiful, inspirational life lessons reveals, sharing the experiences of our lives imbues us with a wisdom the soul reveres: Nothing happens without God's permission.

The apple trees in Sophie's orchard are ready to grow apples, and Sophie is ready to make a pie! It's easy to make an apple pie, but what does it take to make the apples? Sophie is about to find out! First, the apple trees need to be about six years old—just like Sophie. Next, they need to be pruned, and the bees have to pollinate their blossoms! After that, the tiny apples grow through the summer until they’re ready to pick in the fall. Finally, it’s time for Sophie to make the perfect pie!

Being able to taste people's emotions in food may at first be horrifying. But young, unassuming Rose Edelstein grows up learning to harness her gift as she becomes aware that there are secrets even her taste buds cannot discern.

Dedicated to the fresh, new perspectives of today's teenagers (from twelve through twenty), this new volume shares advice, commentary and stories on dealing with one of the most prevalent challenges of adolescence: drugs and alcohol. But more and more, teens are using their courage and knowledge to meet this challenge head-on, choosing to live a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle. This book gives teens insight on what to do when things seem beyond their control and it will help them to: Know the facts about how drugs and alcohol physically and mentally affect the human body Understand why, how and when chemical dependency sets in Succeed in saying "no", even when friends or peers are saying "yes" Deal with the situation when friends' or family members' usage is out of control Know what to do if they become chemically dependent Realize that using drugs or alcohol can alter ambitions, change priorities, misalign goals, and undermine relationships Manage their roller coaster emotions by providing alternatives Divided into six units, each chapter opens with a story from a teen and concludes with "Questions to Think About," to allow the realistic and honest message to set in. Resources and referrals, as well as information on twelve-step programs, are also included.

Three short stories about kissing, featuring elements of the supernatural.