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Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul #3
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul III: More Stories of Life, Love and Learning
The third volume in the Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series gives more love, support and inspiration for the series' loyal teen readers. More and more, life is a struggle for teens. Not just dealing with the tragedies that seem to plague them so often, but also handling the daily pressures that pervade their lives. This book, like the first two volumes in the series, will help them, and will serve as their guide and constant companion.
Chapters focus on love, friendship, family, tough stuff, growing up, kindness, learning lessons and making a difference. In keeping with the themes and content of the Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series, teens will also find support, encouragement and understanding from their peers, as well as from caring and compassionate adults.
This is a book you will read and reread, sharing your favorite stories with one another over and over again.
About the Authors:
Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, the #1 New York Times and USA Today best-selling co-authors, are professional speakers who have dedicated their lives to enhancing the personal and professional development of others. Kimberly Kirberger is president of Inspiration and Motivation for Teens, Inc. (I.A.M. for Teens) and speaks at high schools and to youth organizations. Jack, Mark and Kimberly have formed The Teen Letter Project, a foundation dedicated to encouraging troubled teens to reach out for help and guidance.
369 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2000
89 people are currently reading
2346 people want to read
About the author
Jack Canfield
1,286 books1,748 followersJack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
June 23, 2020
So many reviews said that this book was generic and cheesy, and it totally is, but there were just some stories that made the read so worthwhile! Some stories honestly didn’t make much sense to me or I didn’t get the meaning behind them like Automobile Ambivalence, but even those were so fun to read. Also, I’m not really a fan of poetry, but the poetry in this book is really easy to understand and I liked it. Minimaxims For My Godson was probably my favorite.
April 2, 2008
This was so generic, it hurt! this is like all the other chicken soup for the teenage soul books. the only difference is the "theme" of teenagers (which doesn't really affect the stories all that much). theres the usual, heart break, unrequieted love, lost loved ones, and all your other good ol' "I AM HURT PLZ BE LOVING ME" sort of thing.
March 30, 2011
This book is good to make teachers think you're reading during SSR, while you're actually staring into space. This book contains various stories on different topics written by different people in different times. :/ Some stories are really depressing, some are kind of funny because they're so random and unusual. I fell asleep while reading it. :)
July 13, 2017
This little book was so inspiring! I loved all the little stories and how each bring a different message.
The story about self-hatred really stuck out to me. Unconditional love really is the most important gift. I saw this theme throughout the entire book.
Such a short, powerful book. Defiantly recommend :)
The story about self-hatred really stuck out to me. Unconditional love really is the most important gift. I saw this theme throughout the entire book.
Such a short, powerful book. Defiantly recommend :)
May 1, 2010
amazing heartwarming adorable a truely great book
July 16, 2023
How come I never read this before. I am not into short stories but these experiences always stir up something in me.. this was quite small one, others I have are lengthy.. what's the difference?
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January 22, 2013Book Report Guidelines – Good Reads
Name of book: Chicken Soup for the Soul- Teens Talk
Author: Jack Canfield
Pages: Short story- The Makeover
Genre: Fiction
Reading Level of book:
Exposition (4-6 sentences)
Lena's parents are getting a divorce. Lena's friends have told her they are leaving her because she hasn't changed. Lena also doesn't feel pretty. Lena is going through a hard time both at school and at home. She doesn't have anyone to talk to about it.
Conflict: (4-6 sentences)
Lena needs her friends to help her get through her parent's divorce, but they left her. In turn, Lena needs her parent's support over losing her friends, but they are getting a divorce. Lena feels alone.
Climax: (4-6 sentences)
A popular girl at school starts inviting Lena to parties and to hang out. On picture day, Lena was going to take a picture with her big glasses and her hair pulled back. Diana, the popular girl, told her she couldn't take a picture like that. She pulled her into the restroom and gave her a makeover. Lena wasn't allowed to use make-up, and without her glasses, she couldn't see, so she didn't know how she would look. Her friend said she looked nice, so she took her word for it. When she got the pictures back, she did like the way she looked, and she felt like a new person.
Resolution: (4-6 sentences)
Although Lena didn't haver her old friend or her parents, she had Diana, her new friend. Diana made Lena feel pretty. Lena said that even though she didn't talk about her feelings with the popular girl, she didn't feel alone anymore.
Choose a theme in your book and compare to any piece of literature we have read in class. What is similar? What is different? What have you learned about the human experience? (7-10 sentences)
In The Makeover, the theme is friends come and go, but you'll always have someone to be there for you. This is a similar theme to the one in the short story "It Was the Year." In both stories the main characters lose their friends and feel alone. In "The Makeover," Lena made a new friend, but in "It was the Year," she was just left with the memories. Both characters learned that their friends weren't true friends.
Name of book: Chicken Soup for the Soul- Teens Talk
Author: Jack Canfield
Pages: Short story- The Makeover
Genre: Fiction
Reading Level of book:
Exposition (4-6 sentences)
Lena's parents are getting a divorce. Lena's friends have told her they are leaving her because she hasn't changed. Lena also doesn't feel pretty. Lena is going through a hard time both at school and at home. She doesn't have anyone to talk to about it.
Conflict: (4-6 sentences)
Lena needs her friends to help her get through her parent's divorce, but they left her. In turn, Lena needs her parent's support over losing her friends, but they are getting a divorce. Lena feels alone.
Climax: (4-6 sentences)
A popular girl at school starts inviting Lena to parties and to hang out. On picture day, Lena was going to take a picture with her big glasses and her hair pulled back. Diana, the popular girl, told her she couldn't take a picture like that. She pulled her into the restroom and gave her a makeover. Lena wasn't allowed to use make-up, and without her glasses, she couldn't see, so she didn't know how she would look. Her friend said she looked nice, so she took her word for it. When she got the pictures back, she did like the way she looked, and she felt like a new person.
Resolution: (4-6 sentences)
Although Lena didn't haver her old friend or her parents, she had Diana, her new friend. Diana made Lena feel pretty. Lena said that even though she didn't talk about her feelings with the popular girl, she didn't feel alone anymore.
Choose a theme in your book and compare to any piece of literature we have read in class. What is similar? What is different? What have you learned about the human experience? (7-10 sentences)
In The Makeover, the theme is friends come and go, but you'll always have someone to be there for you. This is a similar theme to the one in the short story "It Was the Year." In both stories the main characters lose their friends and feel alone. In "The Makeover," Lena made a new friend, but in "It was the Year," she was just left with the memories. Both characters learned that their friends weren't true friends.
July 5, 2010
I liked about three or five of the (tens of) contributions in this book, at least one of which was by an adult. I think that part of the problem in my not liking this book is the part where I'm no longer a teenager. I'm sure that the themes and writing in the book might be more appealing to a teenager than to an adult, because by virtue of being written by a peer they are valued? But honestly I think highly enough of teenagers' capacity to read and write that I can't imagine most of them liking this book either.
Overall the writing was too "nauseatingly adolescent", the emotions too stereotyped, the themes too cliche. I skipped over many of the poetry submissions, which is a black mark against my character I'm sure, but after the first two or three I just couldn't scrape my eyeballs across the pages to read rhyming lines about being dumped.
This is incredibly unsupportive of me, and I'm trying to find a way of explaining myself so that I don't seem like a teenager-hater, but ultimately I think I just have disbelief that out of the purportedly thousands of submissions from around the world these were the ones considered worthy enough to be published.
Overall the writing was too "nauseatingly adolescent", the emotions too stereotyped, the themes too cliche. I skipped over many of the poetry submissions, which is a black mark against my character I'm sure, but after the first two or three I just couldn't scrape my eyeballs across the pages to read rhyming lines about being dumped.
This is incredibly unsupportive of me, and I'm trying to find a way of explaining myself so that I don't seem like a teenager-hater, but ultimately I think I just have disbelief that out of the purportedly thousands of submissions from around the world these were the ones considered worthy enough to be published.
November 6, 2008
I was so into volume one that I just went on, and on , and on to volume three. Now this book was more like the first one. This one talked abot the troubles of life and how we are to make it trough even if the next day is not promised wer still shiould believe in life. That is a qoute I made and kinda' added this qoute and related this to this book. I think ther main reason I loved this book so much is because at the time I was reading this book I was kinda of getting over the saddness of my aunt dying. So this book helped me every time I thougt about the situation and wanted to cry. So this book is for all of the teenagers that know there is something troubling them because they are always sad about certain situations.
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March 18, 2009The third and final,not disappointing at all!!! It was probably the best out of three, and was the realest.
February 6, 2017
Very short but inspirational read(:
January 26, 2016
Love this book ;)
October 8, 2019
Every teenager has something to relate to in this book. One of the best things about Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is that it has a story for everyone because it is written by teens for teens. It’s a series of short stories and poems about every hard ship high schoolers face. It deals with friendships, death, sexuality, relationships, and so much more. However, I wasn’t totally sold on this book when I first started it. Since each story is really short, I felt that it was a little hard to get into. I didn’t feel compelled to flip through the pages like I wanted to feel. However, once I got into the book a little more, I realized that it’s broken up into nine sections. Every one was completely different and had several stories that related to the theme of each section. Because of this, I found myself starting to get really involved in the book. I read through them like they were all just smaller books, each with the same theme flowing through them. Once I finished one section, I was so excited to start the next one—to hear new perspectives and new stories.
One example of a compelling (but also relatable) short story was called ‘The Funeral of My Rose’. It starts with a high school boy named Derek flying down the road in his car. He stops and buys a rose for a girl whom he finally decides to reveal his feelings to. When he gets to her house he confronts her. He tells her how he feels, fumbling though his words. He’s about to give her the rose when she rejects him abruptly. He sits on her porch, heart broken and embarrassed, before he finally decides to leave. “The next day I am in the car after a particularly wretched day at school. I sit there for a few moments letting my mind drift back to last night’s activity. Suddenly I notice the rose I had left in my car. This beautiful, red rose has now transformed into a black, stiff, thorny twig. I hold it in my hands for a few moments, and a tear rolls down my cheek. It’s time to move on.” This quote is an amazing example of how mature these stories are written. Many high schoolers go through the exact same thing: rejection, and it’s hard! But, this story makes you feel like you’re not alone in it. It helps you understand that everyone else has felt the same way too.
On top of the competing and relatable stories, this book also contains great advice. It helps you learn from others and not make their same mistakes. It also opens your eyes to the hardships people go through, and it helps to put into perspective just how lucky you might be. One piece of advice that stood out to me was a poem submitted by Ben Witte, his Uncle Tom wrote him this letter of advice soon before he passed away. “Celebrate failure with just one more try. Be mindful of the riches money can’t buy. Be grateful for wealth, but know what’s at stake. And give back to the earth, always, more than you take”. This poem is beautiful and inspiring. It encourages the reader to grow from their failure instead of sulk, and to understand that money can’t buy happiness. It’s the stories like these that will stick with me and ring through my mind when I go through challenges. Chicken Soup for the Teenage soul is inspiring and relatable; if you have ever felt alone, unloved, or like a failure, this book has something in it for you.
One example of a compelling (but also relatable) short story was called ‘The Funeral of My Rose’. It starts with a high school boy named Derek flying down the road in his car. He stops and buys a rose for a girl whom he finally decides to reveal his feelings to. When he gets to her house he confronts her. He tells her how he feels, fumbling though his words. He’s about to give her the rose when she rejects him abruptly. He sits on her porch, heart broken and embarrassed, before he finally decides to leave. “The next day I am in the car after a particularly wretched day at school. I sit there for a few moments letting my mind drift back to last night’s activity. Suddenly I notice the rose I had left in my car. This beautiful, red rose has now transformed into a black, stiff, thorny twig. I hold it in my hands for a few moments, and a tear rolls down my cheek. It’s time to move on.” This quote is an amazing example of how mature these stories are written. Many high schoolers go through the exact same thing: rejection, and it’s hard! But, this story makes you feel like you’re not alone in it. It helps you understand that everyone else has felt the same way too.
On top of the competing and relatable stories, this book also contains great advice. It helps you learn from others and not make their same mistakes. It also opens your eyes to the hardships people go through, and it helps to put into perspective just how lucky you might be. One piece of advice that stood out to me was a poem submitted by Ben Witte, his Uncle Tom wrote him this letter of advice soon before he passed away. “Celebrate failure with just one more try. Be mindful of the riches money can’t buy. Be grateful for wealth, but know what’s at stake. And give back to the earth, always, more than you take”. This poem is beautiful and inspiring. It encourages the reader to grow from their failure instead of sulk, and to understand that money can’t buy happiness. It’s the stories like these that will stick with me and ring through my mind when I go through challenges. Chicken Soup for the Teenage soul is inspiring and relatable; if you have ever felt alone, unloved, or like a failure, this book has something in it for you.
January 19, 2025
I like the occasional Chicken Soup for the Soul. Though not all the stories might make me really feel, I still think they're pleasant reads. Kind of like you might find a picture of a puppy and duckling cuddling nice.
To put it out there, there are also poems in this book & I skipped reading them all. Not a poem person. Least of all a poem written by a teenager.
I wasn't able to relate to any of the stories in this book. Maybe because I'm far removed from high school (*cry*), maybe because my high school experience wasn't typical enough to have me relate. While I was nice & friendly, I was incredibly shy & quiet so I wasn't able to create deep bonds with anyone. I never hung out with people outside school except during prom (which is miraculous in itself I even went. I had fun). So the stories about drama, bullying, friendships, relationships are beyond me. Didn't have any difficult familial problems, so those stories didn't resonate with me either.
Even so, I did really like a couple stories. The first story in the book, titled "Never Been Dissed-Until Now" was a well written story about unexpected feelings between a jock and nerd, and the unfortunate self-sabotage that ensued on the jock's part. Great executive decision having this story be the hook by the folks at the Chicken Soup outfit. Though my favourite story had to have been "Life After Mom"; you can guess what this story is about by the title. I found this story to be incredibly raw, honest, and poignant. The author didn't try to sound smart, they sounded real.
If I had to guess why I'm still drawn to teen media & hence Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, I still really do feel like I'm still 17 sometimes (hey, some years ago I felt like I was 16 so progress?). I remember teachers back in high school lauding my maturity blablabla because all I would do is sit down, shut up, and do my work; star student material right here folks. But I don't have much life experience and I really haven't done much to build myself up outside of academic & corporate realms. Thus it seems so odd thinking about me achieving milestones typical of people my age when I still think I'm just a kid. Marriage? Babies?? Mortgage??? Brother, I've only just moved out my parents' house. Let me BREATHE.
I was watching a JennaMarbles YouTube video once and she mentioned how she fully felt like an adult at that point in her life, not an adult-in-training but a fully grown adult. I'm still not there yet.
Anywho, this book is littered with quotes typically before the beginning of a story and here are some ones I liked:
"I wish they would only take me as I am." -Vincent van Gogh
"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family." -Anthony Brandt
"Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself." -John MacNaughton
"Don't be afraid to take a big step. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps." -David Lloyd George
To put it out there, there are also poems in this book & I skipped reading them all. Not a poem person. Least of all a poem written by a teenager.
I wasn't able to relate to any of the stories in this book. Maybe because I'm far removed from high school (*cry*), maybe because my high school experience wasn't typical enough to have me relate. While I was nice & friendly, I was incredibly shy & quiet so I wasn't able to create deep bonds with anyone. I never hung out with people outside school except during prom (which is miraculous in itself I even went. I had fun). So the stories about drama, bullying, friendships, relationships are beyond me. Didn't have any difficult familial problems, so those stories didn't resonate with me either.
Even so, I did really like a couple stories. The first story in the book, titled "Never Been Dissed-Until Now" was a well written story about unexpected feelings between a jock and nerd, and the unfortunate self-sabotage that ensued on the jock's part. Great executive decision having this story be the hook by the folks at the Chicken Soup outfit. Though my favourite story had to have been "Life After Mom"; you can guess what this story is about by the title. I found this story to be incredibly raw, honest, and poignant. The author didn't try to sound smart, they sounded real.
If I had to guess why I'm still drawn to teen media & hence Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, I still really do feel like I'm still 17 sometimes (hey, some years ago I felt like I was 16 so progress?). I remember teachers back in high school lauding my maturity blablabla because all I would do is sit down, shut up, and do my work; star student material right here folks. But I don't have much life experience and I really haven't done much to build myself up outside of academic & corporate realms. Thus it seems so odd thinking about me achieving milestones typical of people my age when I still think I'm just a kid. Marriage? Babies?? Mortgage??? Brother, I've only just moved out my parents' house. Let me BREATHE.
I was watching a JennaMarbles YouTube video once and she mentioned how she fully felt like an adult at that point in her life, not an adult-in-training but a fully grown adult. I'm still not there yet.
Anywho, this book is littered with quotes typically before the beginning of a story and here are some ones I liked:
"I wish they would only take me as I am." -Vincent van Gogh
"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family." -Anthony Brandt
"Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself." -John MacNaughton
"Don't be afraid to take a big step. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps." -David Lloyd George
January 2, 2018
This collection of stories has something for everyone. From love, to friendships, to hardships, this book addresses many problems teenagers go through during their time of self discovery and change. Chicken Soup was both heartwarming and heartbreaking, giving a good representation of teen life. My favorite section of the book was, "Tough Stuff." I often found myself reading through "Tough Stuff" because I could relate to many of the stories. I highly recommend this book for all teenagers!
March 13, 2019
I love that with these books they use real peoples stories, they are compelling and teach lessons. They don't only teach the author of the short story but it teaches the reader. A lesson I learns from reading this book is to never let your feelings for someone go unsaid, that is how you loose them. I helped me realize that feelings of love and respect should never go without being said, they can affect a person's life more than you will ever know.
August 23, 2019
I thought I wouldn't get past the nocuous first chapter about teen love, which felt like it was written by adults. I wondered if I'd felt that way once...but probably. I'm glad I kept reading, which lead up to real issues and situations teens face, and real feelings I have felt. Teens may want to skip the first chapter, and get to the "meat" of the book, but overall I think the book can be helpful.
March 15, 2023
Chicken Soup for the Soul has always been my favourite short story collection book ❤️ The teenage edition transported me back to my teenage days and the happy and sad memories, insecurities, and all the other feelings that I felt through my teen years. Loved reading the book and getting that nostalgic feeling after finishing it
May 31, 2017
I have enjoyed the Chicken Soup for the Soul books and have a collection of them. I especially liked the ones for teenagers as I could really relate to them when I was a teenager myself. Even now I can go back and read them and be reminded of my teenage years.
May 29, 2023
Don’t get me wrong, there are some amazing stories in this collection. However, as someone who is in her last year of teenage-dom, the majority of these stories feel outdated and not relevant to teens in 2023. DNF. Got about halfway through the whole collection
March 14, 2025
This book was a hit or a miss for me some chapters were so boring it made me want to rip my eyeballs out others were cute others were sad I knew I wasn't going to LOVE this book bc well ya know but I did love some things about it like some poems and some stories
August 24, 2017
Absolutely love these books!!
August 27, 2018
Very good.
September 16, 2021
BLADE RUNNER 2077
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2022
Nonsense
September 14, 2023
Another Chicken Soup Book cleared off of my shelf. I've owned and read so many of these over the years, their the best comfort books.
July 6, 2024
I adored these books in high school. 💕
August 7, 2024
these stories helped develop me at such a pivotal age and i still think about them to this day (like 20 years later)
August 28, 2025
Stories not vetted.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews