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101 Secrets: A Backpack of Inspiration and Hope for Tweens
Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, wrote the following (partial) foreword in 101 SECRETS!
I hated being a pre-teenager. At the time, I thought I hated it because I was shy, and awkward, and had no idea how to interact with other kids or adults. I thought I hated it because school was hard, and people were mean. I felt that I had no special skills, and I fit in exactly nowhere.
Nowadays, I have come to realize the I hated those years because I had no good map for navigating the world.
WAIT…THERE’S A MAP, you ask? Believe it or not, yes, there is. Actually, it’s not one map, but a lot of possible maps. In this book, you will find that Joe Sottile provides two kinds of navigational
a) Things that you can do to make life good (or better) RIGHT NOW.
b) Principles for seeing and thinking clearly about situations you may encounter in the future.
Think of the first part as being given a nice clear map, with a 101 signposts highlighting the roads that are useful to take immediately. Joe’s secrets are strategies that anyone can learn, and his stories help you see that others have been there before. Follow some of these guidelines and, I promise, your life will improve in small or large ways. You want to know, RIGHT NOW, how to be a better friend, how to learn what you need to learn to be successful at school and in your career someday, how to avoid bullies, how to be happier? Read this book, find what is useful to you, and practice it!...
Think of the second part as being given a compass… As you read, you’re going to encounter a lot of big ideas, and a lot of small actions that are going to get you thinking and trying them out right away. The time just before the teens is a confusing time… Joe shows you how to think about the world, so you can focus on what it means to choose the right path for yourself...
Many people try to “do the right thing” so as not to get into trouble with the authorities. Or because they think it will get them some reward down the road…
But there’s a better reason. This book is special—Joe Sottile is special—because he knows something that a lot of people, even adults, don’t. And this is the main secret that is really behind this
The best reason to “do the right thing” is that IT WILL BENEFIT the you that is you now, and the you that is you as an adult. People who never figure out how to do the right thing are not—cannot be—happy. But if you get into a habit of consistently thinking things through, figuring out what solution will most move the world in a positive direction, what solution is creative rather than destructive… then you’ll have a happy life. I promise.
I hated being a pre-teenager. At the time, I thought I hated it because I was shy, and awkward, and had no idea how to interact with other kids or adults. I thought I hated it because school was hard, and people were mean. I felt that I had no special skills, and I fit in exactly nowhere.
Nowadays, I have come to realize the I hated those years because I had no good map for navigating the world.
WAIT…THERE’S A MAP, you ask? Believe it or not, yes, there is. Actually, it’s not one map, but a lot of possible maps. In this book, you will find that Joe Sottile provides two kinds of navigational
a) Things that you can do to make life good (or better) RIGHT NOW.
b) Principles for seeing and thinking clearly about situations you may encounter in the future.
Think of the first part as being given a nice clear map, with a 101 signposts highlighting the roads that are useful to take immediately. Joe’s secrets are strategies that anyone can learn, and his stories help you see that others have been there before. Follow some of these guidelines and, I promise, your life will improve in small or large ways. You want to know, RIGHT NOW, how to be a better friend, how to learn what you need to learn to be successful at school and in your career someday, how to avoid bullies, how to be happier? Read this book, find what is useful to you, and practice it!...
Think of the second part as being given a compass… As you read, you’re going to encounter a lot of big ideas, and a lot of small actions that are going to get you thinking and trying them out right away. The time just before the teens is a confusing time… Joe shows you how to think about the world, so you can focus on what it means to choose the right path for yourself...
Many people try to “do the right thing” so as not to get into trouble with the authorities. Or because they think it will get them some reward down the road…
But there’s a better reason. This book is special—Joe Sottile is special—because he knows something that a lot of people, even adults, don’t. And this is the main secret that is really behind this
The best reason to “do the right thing” is that IT WILL BENEFIT the you that is you now, and the you that is you as an adult. People who never figure out how to do the right thing are not—cannot be—happy. But if you get into a habit of consistently thinking things through, figuring out what solution will most move the world in a positive direction, what solution is creative rather than destructive… then you’ll have a happy life. I promise.
172 pages, ebook
First published February 1, 2012
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 25, 2012
Finally a road map to navigate the often zany terrain of the pre-teen years! Do you often wonder if you are the only one experiencing the highs and lows of childhood? Please know you are not alone. Everyone and I mean everyone experiences triumphs and disappointments in their lives. Knowing how to handle accomplishments with grace and disappointments with knowing it will not last forever is instrumental to your success and happiness.
Join poet and author, Joe “Silly” Sottile through his ease of conversational writing with true life experiences coupled with effective tools to handle many of life situations thrown your way. The reader will immediately be drawn in knowing that Mr. Sottile is not preaching, but sharing what he has learned along the way in his growing up years and still implements today. His happiness and success in all areas of his life shine through. Consider him your own personal life coach and cheerleader.
101 Secrets: A Backpack of Inspiration and Hope for Tweens is a must have book for home and libraries. It can be used by both parents and child in getting the conversation going for an open communication dialogue. Bravo!
Join poet and author, Joe “Silly” Sottile through his ease of conversational writing with true life experiences coupled with effective tools to handle many of life situations thrown your way. The reader will immediately be drawn in knowing that Mr. Sottile is not preaching, but sharing what he has learned along the way in his growing up years and still implements today. His happiness and success in all areas of his life shine through. Consider him your own personal life coach and cheerleader.
101 Secrets: A Backpack of Inspiration and Hope for Tweens is a must have book for home and libraries. It can be used by both parents and child in getting the conversation going for an open communication dialogue. Bravo!
November 24, 2014
A fantastic book with tips for children about how to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Wow. It's not often that I am so taken with a book. If you wanted to find a book to explain to your tween how they should live their life then this is the one. Joe Sottile shares the secrets he has learned during his life. He's like a kindly Grandpa, and the book is written in a warm and engaging way. There are some great messages in this books, both for children and for adults. Read it if you need reminding about what is and isn't important in life.
Wow. It's not often that I am so taken with a book. If you wanted to find a book to explain to your tween how they should live their life then this is the one. Joe Sottile shares the secrets he has learned during his life. He's like a kindly Grandpa, and the book is written in a warm and engaging way. There are some great messages in this books, both for children and for adults. Read it if you need reminding about what is and isn't important in life.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews