What People Are Saying About
Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul . . .
“I loved Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul because it shows girls what they are likely to experience during their preteen years. This book will touch the lives of many girls and at the same time, teach one of the most important lessons in life—to be yourself.”
Aubrey Caswell, 13
“Real. Relevant and ‘Right on!’ Finally, a book just for girls that truly supports and inspires at the most important time in a girl’s life!”
Tami Walsh, M.A.
President
TeenWisdom.com
“All of the stories were great. Each one was unique in its own way. Some of them made me think about how good my life really is. For the people that wrote these stories—you rock!”
Linnea Whisman, 11
“This book really nails it! Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul reflects all the complexities, joys and challenges of a real girl’s life, and provides peer support during a time when peer pressure is a strong force. The message is loud and clear—stay true to yourself and know that others are experiencing many of the same issues.”
MJ Reale
President/Founder
www.girlzone.com
“Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul is uplifting and comforting. It made me feel that other girls were going through the same thing that I was. I think that girls all over the world will love and appreciate this book.”
Wynden Rogers, 14
“Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul is a wonderful compilation of stories that inspires girls to reach new heights, and soothes those who may feel left out, or different, as they take on the challenges of growing up! As both a mother and the founder of Girls on the Run International, I appreciate this book for its impact on me (as a grown-up girl) and the support it has had on my own precious daughter.”
Molly Barker, Founder and Vision Keeper
Girls on the Run International
“I thought that these stories were very powerful and they made me laugh. Some of the stories gave good advice to girls and some made me feel like I was right there in the story.”
Jazz Brandon, 12
“The joys and strains associated with this phase of life create an exciting and challenging emotional period for all young women. When I think of my own daughter reaching this stage, I am comforted to know that Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul will be there to help guide her through the tough subjects that she would most likely prefer not to discuss with her mom or dad.”
Jonathan Graff
President
www.Kaboose.com
“These stories are very different and exciting. Every story had problems that real girls go through. Every girl should read Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul.”
Morgan Conklin, 11
“There are few resources I would recommend to teachers and parents that can build character like the Chicken Soup series. With the Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul we have a timely resource for equipping today’s young women with meaningful stories of character—I wholeheartedly recommend it as a professor, writer, and father of three girls!”
Jeff Keuss, Ph.D.
Educational Specialist and Author, Character in Action!
“I found all of the stories unique and empowering. I loved how all of them taught me a different lesson about life.”
Ying Johnstone, 12
“Chicken Soup for the Girls’ Soul has a message that every young girl should hear, and one that can, unfortunately, be hard to come by. It lets girls know that trouble and hardship can come their way, but that intelligence, courage and wit will help them rise above it, and take them far! Any girl who needs a little inspiration, and any parent looking for a fun, spunky read for their daughters should take a look at this book!”
Rachel Muir
Founder
Girlstart.org
“I like how open and truthful the authors of Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul are.”
Riley Fleet, 11
“Most of the stories in Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul just wind you into them and you get stuck until the story is over. You really feel your emotions. The stories make you laugh and cry. They really are for your soul.”
Elise Greiner, 12
CHICKEN SOUP
FOR THE
GIRL’S SOUL
Real Stories by Real Girls
About Real Stuff
Jack Canfield
Mark Victor Hansen
Patty Hansen
Irene Dunlap
Health Communications, Inc.
Deerfield Beach, Florida
www.hcibooks.com
www.chickensoup.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Chicken soup for the girl’s soul : real stories by real girls about real stuff /
[compiled by Jack Canfield … [et al.].
p. cm.
eISBN-13: 978-0-7573-9491-1 (ebook) eISBN-13: 0-7573-9491-4 (ebook)
1. Girls—Biography. 2. Girls—Psychology. 3. Girls—Conduct of life. I. Canfield, Jack, 1944–
HQ777.C54 2005
305.23'082—dc22
2005050385
© 2005 John T. Canfield and Hansen and Hansen LLC
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher.
HCI, its logos and marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.
Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
R-10-07
Cover photo by Al Nomura.
Cover models: Jenny Aguilar, Elizabeth Geocaris and Gabby Romanello.
Cover design by Kevin Stawieray
Inside formatting by Lawna Patterson Oldfield
We dedicate this book to
girls all over the world
who are on the journey from
girlhood to womanhood.
May these stories help you
realize how truly
special it is to be a girl.
All around the world
With all kinds of faces
Are all kinds of girls
Of all kinds of races.
All colors of eyes
And their own body size
Many different ages
At many different stages
Many kinds of names
And all sorts of fame.
Whether rich or poor
Red, tan, black or white
We are all in this world
And we all unite.
Meredith Brown, 13
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. STRAIGHT UP GIRL STUFF
A Perfect Fit Kathy Lynn Harris
Not Just for Girls Anymore! Diane Sonntag
The Bust Developer Mary Laufer
“One Day You’ll Look Back on This . . .” Laurie Lonsdale
The Day I Gave My Panties Away Katherine Anne Magee
Unidentified Floating Object Sandra Wallace
Girl to Girl Multiple Authors
Do Girls Belong? Angelica Haggert
2. I’VE GOT THE POWER
Big Things Dallas Nicole Woodburn
Call Me Cynthia M. Hamond
The Slam Book Barbara J. Ragsdale
Compassion for a Bully Melanie Pastor
The Most Important Lesson Hope Rollins
Lost and Found Dream Kath
ryn Lay
A Cheer of Triumph Kim Rogers
3. FRIENDSHIP AND BFFS
Soul Sisters Kayla K. Kurashige
The Five Flavors Roxanne Gowharrizi
My Friend Anna Vier
Forget Him Sarah Hood
Do You Remember When? Mina Radman
One Is Silver and the Other Is Gold Karen Waldman
A Friend’s Secret Bethany Rogers
A Valentine to My Friends Rachel Punches
4. FAMILY MATTERS
The Day Our Dad Came Home Pamela D. Hamalainen
God on Her Side Ashleigh Figler-Ehrlich
Miracle Babies Stephanie Marquez
The Perfect Brother Kacy Gilbert-Gard
One Single Egg Cheryl L. Goede
Raining Memories Kirsten Lee Strough
Sarah’s Story Sarah Crunican
Home Cynthia Charlton
5. SISTER SISTER
Ready or Not Morri Spang
Jackie’s Little Sister Lauren Alyson Schara
Big Sister Olga Cossi
If Only Rita M. Tubbs
The Wild Hair Ariel G. Subrahmanyam
The Gift of Faith Nydja K. Minor
Best Friend Bethany Gail Hicks
6. TOUGH STUFF
For Michelle Satya Pennington
The Day My Life Ended Sammie Luther
Cancer, the Only Word I Can’t Say Sammi Lupher
It’s Never Your Fault Hattie Frost
BFF Courtney VanDyne
Hero Brittany Shope
Behind the Bathroom Door Katy Van Hoy
Sleep-Away Camp Kellyrose Andrews
7. THE PRESSURE’S ON
So Which Will It Be? Us—or Her? Anne Broyles
Danny’s Courage Penny S. Harmon
You Are Never Too Young to Take a Stand Maudie Conrad
Trying to Handle It Marcela Dario Fuentes
The Party That Lasted a Lifetime Leigh Hughes
Suffocating Marion Distante
To Have a Boyfriend—or Not? Patty Hansen
Easy as 1, 2, . . . 3 Emily A. Malloy
Intimidation Carrie Joy Carson
8. CRUSHIN’ HARD
My Story Melanie Marks
A “Bite” of All Right! Paula Goldsmith
Never Should Have Kristen Weil
My First Kiss Khristine J. Quibilan
Secret Crush Karin A. Lovold
The Truth Anna Bittner
Learning How to Move On Elizabeth White
Nineteen Kathleen Benefiel
9. CHANGES, CHANGES AND MORE CHANGES
Late Bloomer Julie Workman
ARB Alison Gunn
Headgear Stephanie Dodson
Did She Say “Ovary”? Tasha R. Howe
Hair Horror Michelle Peters
Strapped for Cash Robin Sokol
I Learned the Truth at Thirteen Carol Ayer
10. FREE TO BE ME
The Shy Girl Laura Andrade
Never Cool Enough Natalie Ver Woert
Parting Ways Christina Shaw
Sweet Lies Laura Gene Beck
Okay to Be Me Monica Marie Jones
Ugly Girl Morri Spang
Afterword Rachel Punches
Share with Us
Supporting Girls
Who Is Jack Canfield?
Who Is Mark Victor Hansen?
Who Is Patty Hansen?
Who Is Irene Dunlap?
What Is Discovery Girls Magazine?
Contributors
Permissions
Foreword
It isn’t easy being a girl today—I know from experience! As the publisher of Discovery Girls, I read mail from the thousands of preteens who write to the magazine each issue. These letters have given me a window into what concerns girls most, as well as what energizes them as they strive for success. What I love about Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul is that it’s all here. There’s the pain of being rejected by friends, the confusion of a crush that doesn’t work out, the sadness of losing someone you love. And these stories capture the excitement of being a girl, too: of making true friends, conquering fears and knowing that you write your own destiny.
But the best part is that this book is written “girl to girl”! What better way to show girls that they are not alone? You’ll find a friend in every chapter—and a ton of inspiration, too. I wish I would have had this book when I was growing up!
So whether you are in need of some extra support or a boost of confidence, or you just want to soak in all the wonder of being alive, you’ll know where to go—straight to these pages! And remember, you can do anything! After all, you’re a girl!
Catherine Lee
Publisher, Discovery Girls
NO RODEO ®
NO RODEO. © Robert Berardi. Used by permission.
Acknowledgments
As with every Chicken Soup for the Soul® book that we have coauthored, we are once again deeply grateful for the contributions of many who have made the process of creating Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.
We could never have done this book as well and as efficiently without the special talents and dedication of our executive administrator, Gina Romanello. Thanks once again for all of your hard work and for keeping us all moving in a constructive flow, Gina. You are always fun to work with, a great friend and a true blessing to us.
Our heartfelt gratitude to our families, who have been Chicken Soup for our souls!
To Jack Canfield’s family, Inga, Travis, Riley, Christopher, Oran and Kyle, for all your love and support.
To Mark and Patty’s daughters, Elisabeth and Melanie, Patty’s mother, Shirley; and especially to the newest member of the family, their grandson, Seth Reilly Del Gesso, thanks for being willing to give up some of your family time with Patty in order for another book to be created. To Eva, Genaro and Dora for keeping Patty’s home running smoothly while she was busy with this project.
To Kent, Marleigh and Weston Dunlap for always supporting Irene in her efforts to make the world a better place for preteens through her work with Chicken Soup. And to Irene’s mother, Angela Jack, for your unconditional love and constant support. It has meant more to Irene than you could ever know.
To Dena Jacobson, thanks for keeping Patty’s office in order with grace and humor. To Dee Dee Romanello, for your friendship and ongoing support in so many ways.
To Patty Aubery, president of Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc., who has always looked out for us with love and support. Russ Kamalski, chief operating officer, for his professionalism and vision—you are awesome! Barbara Lomonaco, Veronica Romero, Robin Yerian, Theresa Esparza, Jesse Ianniello, Lauren Edelstein and especially D’ette Corona at Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises.
Laurie Hartman, for being a precious guardian of the Chicken Soup brand.
Jody Emme, Debbie Lefever, Michelle Adams, Dee Dee Romanello, Shanna Vieyra, Lisa Williams, Dena Jacobson, Mary McKay, Patti Clement, Maegan Romanello and Joel Bakker, who support Mark and Patty’s business with skill and love.
Brittany Shaw, for running PreteenPlanet.com so competently that Patty never has to worry about her fantastic Website; and Liz Del Gesso, Art Mora and Robert Berardi for monitoring the Preteen Planet chat room and keeping it safe for the chatters.
To Allie Kagamaster for your enthusiasm and media research efforts.
Also, to Bianca Bickford at girlstart.org for helping us call for stories through your Website audience.
Peter Vegso at Health Communications, Inc., for recognizing the value of our books from the beginning and for getting them into the hands of millions of readers.
To our wonderful, easygoing editor, Allison Janse, at Health Communications, Inc. We are so happy that we got to work with you again! We truly feel that there is not a better editor on the face of the planet. We are always blessed to have you in our lives.
Also, thanks to the rest of the editing team, Bret Witter, Elisabeth Rinaldi and Kathy Grant,
for your devotion to excellence.
Terry Burke, Tom Sand, Lori Golden, Tom Galvin, Kelly Johnson Maragni, Sean Geary, Stephanie Jackson, Patricia McConnell, Julie De La Cruz, Ariana Daner, Kim Weiss, Paola Fernandez-Rana, Pat Holdsworth and the rest of the marketing, sales, administration and PR departments at Health Communications, Inc., for doing such an incredible job supporting our books.
Claude Choquette and Luc Jutras, who manage year after year to get our books translated into thirty-six languages around the world.
The art department staff at Health Communications, Inc., for their talent, creativity and patience in producing book covers and inside designs that capture the essence of Chicken Soup: Larissa Hise Henoch, Lawna Patterson Oldfield, Andrea Perrine Brower, Anthony Clausi, Kevin Stawieray and Dawn Von Strolley Grove.
To all of the Chicken Soup for the Soul coauthors, who make it so much of a joy to be part of this Chicken Soup family.
To our incredible panel of preteen girl readers and their teachers who read hundreds of stories to help us make the final selections—your input was invaluable and very much appreciated: teacher Marcy Miller and her sixth-grade students at Seattle Girls’ School in Seattle, Washington; teachers Fran Ex and Kate Doherty and the students of The Young Women’s Leadership Charter School in Chicago, Illinois; teacher Jolayne Gotzkosky and the students of Louise E. McGehee School in New Orleans, Louisiana; teachers Teresa Kean, Frances Ramberg and Aimee Sheehan and the students of Girls’ School of Austin in Austin, Texas; teachers Laurie Stanton and Amy Lawrence and the students of Hutchison School in Memphis, Tennessee. To Lisa Allison and the wonderful girls at The Dream Center in Los Angeles, California, for reading stories for us at the very last minute. We appreciate all of your hard work!