Books in the It Happened to Me series

This is a one-of-a-kind book that addresses the issue of what it's like to be involved with an organ transplant procedure. It's filled with real-life stories of teens whose parents, siblings, or other family members are transplant recipients as well as teens who have had transplants themselves and includes stories of recipients who have received heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, and double-lung transplants.This book describes the physical and emotional ups and downs that are part of the transplant process. It addresses, from both the recipient's and family's point of view, what it feels like to be placed on the transplant list, to wait for an organ, to receive "e;false alarm"e; calls to come to the transplant center, to finally undergo the transplant operation, to recover, to deal with setbacks of surgery and organ rejection, and to live on anti-rejection drugs the rest of one's life. Also detailed are the medical, financial, mental, and other preparations that must be undertaken as part of the transplant process. Guidance on what to expect, how to help, where to seek assistance, and how to support the patient is also given. Answers to the tough practical and emotional questions that teens have about an organ transplant, such as will my parent survive the surgery, how long will it take for my parent to recover, and why is this happening to me are discussed? Numerous question-and-answer sections of frequently asked questions about organ transplants and the myths that surround them are included, as well as contact information for organizations that provide many forms of assistance for recipients and their families.Through all the serious issues, however, this book offers much hope and promise for recipients and their families through the stories of those whose lives have been greatly improved through an organ transplant. This is the ideal resource for all readers who are interested in the subject of organ donation and transplant, including those who are facing a transplant and their family members as well a

Edgar Allen Poe, Langston Hughes, Louisa May Alcott, and Stephen King are just a handful of famous authors who began their publishing careers in their teens. Many young adults would like to write and publish but few know where to begin. While there are many books on how to write and how to get published, none are written specifically for teens. Writing and Publishing: The Ultimate Teen Guide fills this gap. In this book, author Tina Schwartz discusses many matters that are not often presented in guides to writing and publishing, such as the importance of mentors and critique groups, as well as courses and extracurricular activities that can be of great help to the up-and-coming teen author. The book explores various writing careers and the basics of publishing and marketing, including how to write query letters. Schwartz also provides tips on writing both fiction and nonfiction, as well as genres a new author can explore, like poetry and songwriting. With this resource, teens will find all the information they need to develop writing skills and build confidence as a writer.

According to the recent United States Census, there are 650,000 same-sex couple households in the U.S., and an estimated one-quarter of those households are raising children. In the past few years, several states across the nation have passed Freedom to Marry bills for same-sex couples. But even with the rise in recognition of LGBTQ families, acceptance has not necessarily followed. Unfortunately, young adults in LGBTQ families encounter many challenges, from derision by their peers to the embarrassment of being perceived as different.LGBTQ Families: The Ultimate Teen Guide focuses on the difficulties young people face as members of households in which one or more members are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, or queer/questioning. This book offers encouragement, insights, and resources to help them cope with and embrace the uniqueness of their family life. Teens and adults from LGBTQ familiesand teens who identify as LGBTQ themselvestell their personal stories and share strategies they use to deal with a sometimes unaccepting society. Topics discussed include politics, religion, media, and bullying.Aimed at young adults with LGBTQ parents, teens who identify as LGBTQ, those who support LGBTQs, and anyone wanting to educate themselves on the topic, this book will broaden understanding and enable teens and their peers to embrace the diversity of the modern family.

Exclusively written for teenagers and young adults dealing with a wide variety of learning disabilities_including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, and dyslexia_this accessible resource offers the tools for taking a proactive role in identifying, understanding and overcoming the obstacles facing teens with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities provides a clear and informative overview of the most common disabilities. Appealing to teenagers with its easy-to-read format and positive tips for success, the book also teaches students how to advocate for themselves, informing them of their rights under law both during the school years and after high school graduation. Assistive technology that can help students improve their learning abilities such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems, screen reading software, books on tape, electronic notebooks, and other tools that aid student learning are covered. The most recent research on brain structure and function, and the role they play in learning disabilities is presented, as well as a step-by-step guide to test reports, so that teens can understand how their disabilities are diagnosed. Gathering information from students, high school guidance counselors, and from medical and other professionals, authors Paquette and Tuttle also show teens they are not alone in their struggles, profiling famous people that also have learning disabilities.

The day-to-day dealings of life as a cystic fibrosis patient are described through a series of flashbacks to a time when the author was an 18-year-old volunteer at cystic fibrosis overnight camp. From diagnosis to death, this book describes all the aspects of CF.

Psychologists and educators believe that the primary task of adolescence is forming one''s identity. Even if teens don''t know the whole answer to the question of who they are, perhaps they will have a better understanding of all the things that might make up that answer and feel more comfortable becoming who they will be with the information and guidance this book offers. The authors describe a huge range of aspects many people think of as key to their identity: the role of family, culture and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, body modifications (tattoos, piercings, brandings, plastic surgery), steroids and supplements, eating disorders, chronic illness, and physical disabilities, clubs, cliques, and friends, school, work, hobbies, beliefs, aspirations, and experiences. With the help of this book, teens will come that much closer to achieving self-actualization.

Money: Getting It, Using It, and Avoiding the Traps: The Ultimate Teen Guide, is a concise, practical book for young adults that addresses the all-important issue of money. Author Robin Brancato provides answers to the toughest questions you'd ever ask about money, including: How much should parents and guardians subsidize you? Is it fair if money gifts from Grandma have strings attached? If you want a job, how do you get one, and how do you make sure the benefits outweigh the hassles? What kind of business could you start on your own? How can you negotiate finances gracefully within your family and on your job? Can you discipline yourself to put money away, and, if so, where? What does the fine print on the credit card contract say? What are the exact terms of the cell phone deal? And how do you deal with the friend who borrows and never pays back? These questions are not only answered by the author, but also by teen contributors who share their own personal stories. Additionally, full bibliographical source listings, which steer readers to courses, activities, organizations, and web sites, are included. The concluding pages-complete with self-evaluations-will help young adults gain financial confidence for now and for the years ahead.

The challenging teen years can be even more difficult for adopted teenagers, many of whom have unanswered questions that may result in fear, anger, and low self-esteem. These feelings may be compounded by the isolation they feel because most friends and family members cannot fully relate to their situation. Adopted: The Ultimate Teen Guide enables young adults to explore their feelings as they read about the personal experiences of other adopted teens. Through these stories, adopted teens can learn how others have resolved some of their adoption issues and gain powerful insights from those who have experienced some of the same frustrations, struggles, and concerns.This book addresses various issues such as:finding out you've been adoptedfitting insearching for birth parentsmeeting birth parentsinternational adoptiontransracial adoptionwhat defines a familyThis revised edition also features discussion questions at the end of each chapter that help teens and loved ones acknowledge and verbalize their concerns. With up-to-date statistics, as well as insights from experienced adoption professionals who offer practical advice, this edition of Adopted: The Ultimate Teen Guide is a valuable resource for adopted teens as well as their families and friends.

Anxiety in teenagers is on the rise, and this book aims to help young adults cope with their struggles. Different types of anxiety, anxiety triggers, and coping strategies are accessibly explained, and personal stories from teens who have suffered from anxiety are included throughout to provide perspective and support for the young reader.

As the future of our democratic society, youth from U.S.-born and immigrant backgrounds alike will need to make informed decisions on our diverse nations behalf. To do so, young adults need to be provided with access to accurate information and varied perspectives about immigration. In Immigration: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Tatyana Kleyn (an immigrant herself) examines the myths and realities of immigration, as well as the laws and policies that regulate it. She explores a number of issues associated with immigration, including cultural clashes and discrimination, the debate on language, undocumented immigrants, and what it means to be an American.The book includes an overview of the nations history with immigration, definitions of relevant terms, and recent statistical and demographic information. It also discusses why and how many immigrants make the journey to the United States. Other aspects the book addresses include undocumented immigrants and refugees/asylees, laws and policies that either support or hinder immigration, and how young immigrants can reconcile their competing identities.Aiming to generate a discussion on immigration with factual and contemporary information, real life stories, experiences, and quotes from teenagers and young adults, Immigration: The Ultimate Teen Guide presents a comprehensive and engaging approach to informing readers about the varied ways immigration is experienced, viewed, and disputed.

More than 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies. This book is one of the few aimed specifically at teens and specifically at food allergies. It shows teens how to cope with their allergies and become advocates for their own health.

Social networking is now an entrenched activity for nearly every teen in the country. A recent study showed that nearly 75% of American teens use an online social network, a percentage that continues to rise. Librarians, such as the author herself, are often asked by young adults for help and advice on social networking, but teens also turn to their friends for information, which can be inaccurate or incomplete.Social Networking: The Ultimate Teen Guide helps young adults make the most of their online experience, giving them a complete understanding of social networking while also addressing online safety. Author Jennifer Obee helps teens navigate through the challenging intricacies of social networks, covering such topics as:FacebookYouTubeTwitternetspeakblogsprivacycyberbullyingvideochatsmartphones. With quotes from teenagers about their favorite sites and personal stories, Social Networking is the perfect resource for teens trying to gain a better understanding of the vast online world.

Teens can lead normal, active lives despite having Epilepsy, and this book shows them how other teens are doing so. Through their stories they offer advice on whether and how to tell friends, dates, teachers, or an employer about the condition. Important teen issues, such as driving, dating, sports, and college are addressed. How the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) applies to people with epilepsy is also reviewed.

The 13th addition to the critically acclaimed It Happened to Me series is designed to help young adults explore career options and find jobs by providing specific details about apprenticeship programs in their desired field. There are more than 800 apprenticeable jobs in the United States (e.g. painters, paper hangers, wall finishers, glaziers, sign and display workers, plumbers, gasfitters, welders, roofers, bricklayers, carpenters, cooks, stage technicians, health care workers, and military opportunities). Written for teenagers who are not interested in going directly to college, this book covers opportunities that are currently active in the United States, and provides an overview of the work involved in each job category, the job outlook, salary, and expected growth in that area through 2012. Each section concludes with an extensive resource list of contact names, addresses, and websites of places to go to find out more information about the job of interest. Chapters also include interviews with young people who are currently working in apprenticeship programs. Teens will learn how this young person found the apprenticeship, how he or she enjoys the work, and how the classroom portion of the apprenticeship is handled. For young people who are interested in learning on the job, for those who are looking for an alternative to the traditional four-year college degree, who can't afford college, who want to be trained in a specific trade and enjoy learning in a hands-on environment, or who want to "earn while they learn," this book provides a solid basis to explore and research potential careers and to make informed decisions about whether an apprenticeship is the right career move.

It is difficult enough for teens growing up today to deal with the regular issues arising from family, school, and relationships, regardless of whether they have physical disabilities or not. Add to those problems the extra obstacles that visual, hearing, and physical impairments present some teens, and the road to adulthood just got exponentially more complex.Physical Disabilities: The Ultimate Teen Guide provides a roadmap through these additional tribulations teens with disabilities face by showing the methods, mechanisms, and resources other teens are using to cope with their disabilities. Discussing everything from going away to college to living independently to traveling internationally, this book is filled with stories from active teens who have vision, hearing, and other physical disabilities.Interviews with teens who are meeting the challenges of living with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Osteosarcoma, amputations, visual impairment, Rellex Sympathetic Dystrophy, paralysis, hearing impairment, and deafness are included along with more than 40 photos of these teens participating in various activities. Author Denise Thornton has organized the book into eight categories: School, Tools and Technology, Transportation and Access, Sports, the Arts, Relationships, Independence, and Advocacy. Each chapter combines the experiences of teens and young adults in all these spheres with up-to-date information on the resources that readers can call on as they follow their own dreams. Teens, parents, teachers, and medical professionals will find this to be a valuable resource.

Teens, Loss, and Grief is a self-help guide for teenagers who are struggling with bereavement and the emotional difficulties it presents. This book provides an overview of grief as a painful but normal process, offering insights from bereavement experts as well as practical suggestions for coping with loss, including accounts from teens. This book closes a gap in the available literature on grief and bereavement that has tended to focus on adults and younger children. It provides a warm, accessible resource that will reassure teen readers about the normality of grief, encourages their understanding of what happens during the grief process, and provides an indispensable resource guide.

A guide to understanding and coping with asthma when you're a teenager. It provides a basic understanding about asthma, the signs and symptoms of the disease, medical treatments, and effective coping strategies. It offers personal interviews and advice from teens who are coping with asthma, is illustrated, and includes sidebars and visual effects.

While not a substitute for professional medical advice, this book is a source of information about common medical conditions that teens often face. The medications that are commonly prescribed for that condition are listed along with a description of how the medication works in the body, the brand name and generic or chemical ingredients for the medication, and the common side effects and possible interactions with food and other drugs. Additionally, strategies for coping with the stigma associated with taking medications for chronic conditions are included. The goal of this book is to inform the teen about the medications, enabling the teen to be an active participant in his or her treatment with medications. For example, a suggested list of questions to ask the doctor or pharmacist is provided. Questions such as "What food, drinks, or other medications should I avoid while taking this medication?" "What do I do if I miss a dose?" "What are the possible side effects, and which side effects should I report and which should I ignore?" "How long before I see positive effects and know that the medication is working?" By thinking about his or her lifestyle, the teen will be alert to anything that could affect the medication and symptoms that signal side effects or possible other problems with the medication. Being well informed and playing an active role in the decision-making process can help teens to feel more in control of their medical conditions. Medication issues such as dealing with several different doctors or specialists, taking several different medications, why not to order medications from another country or from the web, taking medications when pregnant or nursing, donating blood while taking certain medications, driving, and traveling and taking medications are addressed. This useful reference concludes with an example medication diary, encouraging teens to monitor their medications and any side effects; a glossary; a drug list, arranged alphabetically and listing the generic, brand name, type,

More than 70 percent of America's 60 million young people believe they can make a difference in their communities, and the numbers support their assertions. Teenagers spend 2.4 billion hours annually in volunteer service, and their labor is worth $34.3 billion to the U.S. economy. Volunteering brings emotional satisfaction, provides opportunities for learning skills that can be used in the job market, and helps teens to make career choices. But the major reasons that teens cite for performing volunteer service is the compassion they feel for people in need and the belief that they improve the quality of life for others. Volunteering: The Ultimate Teen Guide is a complete guide for teens who want to volunteer. Young people get a complete picture of what volunteering involves, including the personal commitment and the physical and emotional stamina, as well as the positive_and sometimes negative_consequences. This book is filled with inspiring and rewarding stories from teen volunteers who testify to the benefits and the immense personal satisfaction as a result of their volunteer efforts. Volunteering is a wonderful resource for both teens as well as those who work with teens on how to use one's time and energy to positively impact society and to gain personal satisfaction from helping others.

Teens dont often realize that their daydreams can be transformed into real accomplishments. If they take those dreams seriously, and turn thoughts into action, even some of the wildest notions can become reality. Reaching Your Goals: The Ultimate Teen Guide show readers how important setting goals can be to accomplishing whatever they want to.Through the use of No Sweat Quizzes and other unique methods, such as creative visualization and affirmations, Anne Courtright provides teens with the tools to help them achieve not only short-term goals but to realize their greatest potential. Filled with commentary from notable figures in sports, music, film, and business, this book also shows teens how to turn failures into positive stepping-stones to future success.Through examples, activities, and sample action plans, Reaching Your Goals: The Ultimate Teen Guide will help teens map their own paths to success, both in school and life.