This year, eleventh grade, I got braces. Add that to my green hair, drippy red eyes, flat chest and the pervasive smell of chlorine—I’m not getting any modeling contracts. But you can’t tell me I’m not beautiful. Every time I visit the hospital, five-year-old Terry grabs my hand and coos, “Morri, you’re so nice. I want to grow up to be just like you.”
Morri Spang
Afterword
The road of life is full of bumps,
Potholes, twists and turns.
There are constant battles that you will fight
And lessons you will learn.
How I’ve been helped along the road,
I didn’t realize until now.
There were times when I didn’t see the signs,
But there was someone to show me how.
How to grow, how to live,
And even how to love.
We’ve had our laughs, had our cries,
And even shared some hugs.
Throughout the years with my friends,
We all grew up as one.
But there is still a road ahead.
Our growing up is not done.
Soon the road ahead will split,
And we’ll go our separate ways.
We won’t forget the road behind,
But we have to grow up someday.
It’s time for you to choose your road
And grow up on your own.
I realize now, we’re getting older,
And we have to let each other go.
But when you need me, I’ll be there.
The one lone little star
Lighting up a path for you,
No matter where you are.
And now we see the path ahead,
With all its twists and turns.
We look forward to who we’ll become
Not forgetting the girls we were.
Rachel Punches, 18
Share with Us
Many of the stories and poems you have read in this book were submitted by readers like you. Please send your true, original, nonfiction stories and poems that you would like us to consider for future books to
[email protected] or send them by mail to:
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Attn: Patty Hansen and Irene Dunlap
P.O. Box 10879
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
We would also like to know how these stories affected you and which ones were your favorites. Please write to us and let us know.
For more information about our books or for writing guidelines for future books, visit our Websites at:
www.lifewriters.com
www.preteenplanet.com
www.chickensoup.com
Supporting Girls
Girls on the Run International
Girls on the Run International (GOTRI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping girls stay out of the “Girl Box”—a place where girls are valued more for their outward appearance than for their character inside.
Girls on the Run ®is a life-changing, experiential running/life skills program for girls age eight to thirteen years old. Their mission is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. GOTRI programs combine training for a 3.1-mile running event with curricula designed to promote making good choices. The lessons are designed specifically to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development. The objective is to reduce the display of at-risk behaviors among their participants by providing girls with the tools to make healthy decisions and form healthy self-images.
GOTRI is the parent organization of more than 100+ Girls on the Run councils across the United States and Canada. For more information about Girls on the Run International or to find a council near you, please visit www.girlsontherun.org, or contact:
Girls on the Run International
500 E. Morehead Street
Suite 104
Charlotte, NC 28202
800-901-9965
www.girlsontherun.org
Who Is Jack Canfield?
Jack Canfield is one of America’s leading experts in the development of human potential and personal effectiveness. He is both a dynamic, entertaining speaker and a highly sought-after trainer.
He is the author and narrator of several bestselling audio and videocassette programs, including Self-Esteem and Peak Performance, How to Build High Self-Esteem, Self-Esteem in the Classroom and Chicken Soup for the Soul—Live. He is regularly seen on television shows such as Good Morning America, 20/20 and NBC Nightly News. Jack has coauthored numerous books, including the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Dare to Win and The Aladdin Factor (all with Mark Victor Hansen), 100 Ways to Build Self-Concept in the Classroom (with Harold C. Wells) Heart at Work (with Jacqueline Miller) The Power of Focus (with Les Hewitt and Mark Victor Hansen) and The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.
Jack is a regularly featured speaker for professional associations, school districts, government agencies, churches, hospitals, sales organizations and corporations. His clients have included the American Dental Association, the American Management Association, AT&T, Campbell’s Soup, Clairol, Domino’s Pizza, GE, ITT, Hartford Insurance, Johnson & Johnson, the Million Dollar Roundtable, NCR, New England Telephone, Re/Max, Scott Paper, TRW and Virgin Records. Jack is also on the faculty of Income Builders International, a school for entrepreneurs.
Jack conducts an annual seven-day Breakthrough to Success program in the areas of self-esteem and peak performance. The program attracts educators, counselors, parenting trainers, corporate trainers, professional speakers and others from the general public who are interested in creating their ideal life.
Self-Esteem Seminars
P.O. Box 30880 • Santa Barbara, CA 93130
Phone: 805-563-2935 • Fax: 805-563-2945
Website: www.jackcanfield.com
E-mail:
[email protected] Who Is Mark Victor Hansen?
In the area of human potential, no one is more respected than Mark Victor Hansen. For more than thirty years, Mark has focused solely on helping people from all walks of life reshape their personal vision of what’s possible. His powerful messages of possibility, opportunity and action have created impressive change in thousands of organizations and millions of individuals worldwide.
He is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, bestselling author and marketing maven. Mark’s credentials include a lifetime of entrepreneurial success and an extensive academic background. He is a prolific writer with many bestselling books such as The One Minute Millionaire, Cracking the Millionaire Code, The Power of Focus, The Aladdin Factor and Dare to Win, in addition to the wildly successful Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Mark has made a profound influence through his library of audios, videos and articles in the areas of big thinking, sales achievement, wealth building, publishing success, and personal and professional development.
Mark is the founder of the MEGA Seminar Series, MEGA Book Marketing University and Building Your MEGA Speaking Empire. Both are annual conferences where Mark coaches and teaches new and aspiring authors, speakers and experts on building lucrative publishing and speaking careers. Other MEGA events include MEGA Marketing Magic and My MEGA Life.
He has appeared on television (Oprah, CNN and The Today Show) in print (Time, U.S. News & World Report; USA Today, New York Times and Entrepreneur) and on countless radio interviews, assuring our planet’s people that “You can easily create the life you deserve.”
As a philanthropist and humanitarian, Mark works tirelessly for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, March of Dimes, Childhelp and many others. He is the recipient of numerous awards that honor his entrepreneurial spirit, philanthropic heart and business acumen. He is a lifetime member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, an organization that honored Mark with the prestigious Horatio Alger Award for his extraordinary life achievements.
Mark Victor Hansen i
s an enthusiastic crusader of what’s possible and is driven to make the world a better place.
Mark Victor Hansen & Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 7665
Newport Beach, CA 92658-7665
Phone: 949-764-2640 x101
Fax: 949-722-6912
www.markvictorhansen.com
Who Is Patty Hansen?
Patty Hansen, with her partner, Irene, authored Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2 and Chicken Soup Christmas Treasury for Kids—all books that kids ages nine through thirteen love to read and use as guides for everyday life. Patty is also the contributor of some of the most loved stories in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and is coauthor of Condensed Chicken Soup for the Soul (Health Communications) and Out of the Blue: Delight Comes Into Our Lives (HarperCollins).
Because of her love for preteens, Patty created Preteenplanet.com, a Website that gives preteens a fun and safe online experience where they can also become empowered to make their world a better place. Check it out!
Prior to her career as an author, Patty worked for United Airlines as a flight attendant for thirteen years. During that time, she received two commendations for bravery. She received the first one when, as the only flight attendant on board, she prepared forty-four passengers for a successful planned emergency landing. The second was for single-handedly extinguishing a fire on board a mid-Pacific flight, thus averting an emergency situation and saving hundreds of lives.
After “hanging up her wings,” Patty became the chief financial officer for M.V. Hansen and Associates, Inc., in Newport Beach, California. Since 1998 Patty has been president of legal and licensing for Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc., and has helped to create an entire line of Chicken Soup for the Soul products and licenses.
Patty shares her home life with her two daughters Elisabeth and Melanie; newest addition, grandson Seth (he is SO awesome!); her mother, Shirley; housekeeper and friend, Eva; three rabbits, one peahen, one guinea hen, four horses, three dogs, ten cats, three birds, fifty-five fish, eight pigeons, thirty-four chickens (yes, they all have names), a haven for hummingbirds and a butterfly farm.
If you would like to contact Patty:
Patty Hansen
P.O. Box 10879 • Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: 949-749-9304 ext. 108 • Fax: 949-645-3203
E-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.preteenplanet.com
Who Is Irene Dunlap?
Irene Dunlap, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas Treasury for Kids and Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2, began her writing career in elementary school, when she discovered her love for creating poetry, a passion she believes she inherited from her paternal grandmother.
She went on to express her love for words through writing fictional short stories and lyrics, as a participant in speech competitions, and eventually as a vocalist.
During her college years, Irene traveled around the world as a student of the Semester at Sea program aboard a ship that served as a classroom, as well as home base, for more than 500 college students. After earning a bachelor of arts degree in communications, she became the media director of Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Irvine, California, and eventually co-owned an advertising and public relations agency that specialized in entertainment and health care clients.
Irene released her first book in a series titled TRUE—Real Stories About God Showing Up in the Lives of Teens, in February 2004, to encourage teens and young adults in their faith. While creating difference-making books, which she sees as a blessing, Irene continues to support her two teens with their interests while carrying on a successful singing career, performing various styles, from jump swing and jazz to contemporary music, at church and at special events.
Irene lives in Newport Beach, California, with her husband, Kent; daughter, Marleigh; son, Weston; and Australian shepherd, Gracie. In her spare time, Irene enjoys horseback riding, gardening, cooking and painting. If you are wondering how she does it all, she will refer you to her favorite Bible passage for her answer—Ephesians 3:20.
If you would like to contact Irene:
Irene Dunlap
P.O. Box 10879
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Fax: 949-645-3203
E-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.lifewriters.com
What Is Discovery Girls Magazine?
If you love connecting with other girls, check out Discovery Girls. The magazine by girls, for girls ages eight to twelve, Discovery Girls gives you a voice and lets you know you are not alone. Started in 2000, Discovery Girls now reaches more than half a million girls with every issue! And they are in touch with their readers like no other magazine—you write the articles, model for them (even appear on the cover!), and help decide what goes on the pages. Discovery Girls is truly your magazine!
So what’s inside Discovery Girls? Everything you love most!
• Inspiring stories from girls like you about friendships, cliques, family problems and tough times. It’s all here!
• Special features that help you deal—with mean girls, the pressures of popularity, demanding teachers, rejection, confusing crushes . . .
• Cool quizzes, exciting contests and fun-to-make crafts . . .
• Hilarious (and mortifying!) embarrassing moments, advice from girls who care, sports tips . . .
• Fabulous fashions, your favorite celebrities, the best in books, CDs and movies . . .
• And much, much more! If you love it—DG has it!
To connect with other girls and learn more about yourself and your world, order Discovery Girls—your ultimate survival guide—today! You’ll find it online at discovery girls.com. Don’t miss another issue!
Contributors
The following short biographies showcase those who contributed to Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul.
Jenny Aguilar is a twelve-year-old who dreams of being a singer when she grows up. Her idol is singer, Selena, whom she identifies with. Jenny enjoys going to the beach, cooking, dancing and shopping with her mother. It is her dream to one day meet her relatives in El Salvador.
Laura Andrade is a teacher with a passion for kids, animals and science. She shares her California home with her husband, two cats, two dogs and two horses. Life is good!
Kellyrose Andrews is a student in San Diego, California. She enjoys singing, playing bass guitar, dancing and hanging out at the beach. She dreams of making it as a model or would like to start her own record label for female rockers. Contact her at
[email protected] Lindsey Appleton is an eighth-grader who lives in Hawaii. Her original songs and poems have been enjoyed by many audiences. She hopes to attend a performing arts college to become a professional singer. Lindsey’s hobbies include acting, guitar, singing, dancing, horseback riding and team sports.
Carol Ayer received her bachelor’s in English from University of California, Berkeley, in 1984. She has been published in Chicken Soup to Inspire a Woman’s Soul, Woman’s World Magazine, RunnersWorld.com and PoeticVoices.com. She is currently at work on a children’s book and an adult novel.
Laura Gene Beck studied psychology and language at two famous universities. Living in San Francisco, she works as a user-interface designer at various high-tech start-ups and writes children’s fiction and poetry. She is married and has two brilliant children and a codependent cat. E-mail Laura at writing
[email protected] Kathleen Benefiel is a seventeen-year-old who loves writing, journalism and law and who plans to pursue her interests at a university in the fall of 2006. She also plans to write an autobiography about her misadventures in middle and high school.
Robert Berardi was born in New York and educated at University of the Arts, Philadelphia. Robert writes and draws No Rodeo, a comic strip about a preteen girl named Desiree. No Rodeo can be seen on PreteenPl
anet.com and will soon be syndicated to daily and Sunday newspapers. Go to
[email protected] Anna Bittner is a high school senior who lives in Hawaii. She enjoys reading, painting and playing Halo 2. She plans to attend college and major in marine science.
Meredith Brown is attending Indiana University in Bloomington, where she is majoring in journalism. She is a member of the Indiana Field Hockey team and enjoys playing/watching sports, listening to music, and being with her family and friends. She is the fifth of six children and lives in Maryland.
Anne Broyles is a writer and a United Methodist minister. She is the author/coauthor of twelve books, including children’s picture books Shy Mama’s Halloween (Tilbury, 2000) and the upcoming Priscilla and the Hollyhocks (Charlesbridge Books, 2007).
Courtney Bullock attends high school in Virginia, where she enjoys reading, running, singing, writing poetry, playing piano, tenor sax, flute, clarinet, guitar and dancing. Courtney is a youth leader at her church and has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. She plans to major in music, dance and or/literature.