How to Be an Extraordinary Teenager

by John Bytheway

Ordinary teens think about their problems.
Extraordinary teens think about their possibilities.
Ordinary teens follow the crowd.
Extraordinary teens follow the Creator.
Read more about these and other differences, and you'll discover that you really can be an extraordinary teenager. After all, being extraordinary is just being ordinary with a little "extra"!

Genres: Lds, Nonfiction, Religion, Self Help, Church, Parenting

76 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2000

About the author

John Bytheway (born October 1962) is an American author and academic, who is well known as a comic motivational speaker for youth within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born in Salt Lake City, Bytheway attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, receiving a Master's Degree in Religious Education. He also served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Philippines.

Bytheway is a religious studies instructor at BYU, currently focusing on the Book of Mormon. He also serves on the Aaronic Priesthood/Young Women Writing Committee for the LDS Church. Bytheway and his wife Kimberly have six children.

Reviews

[Trace · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this little book....my preteen son and I have been reading a few pages of this each night during our scripture study time and it is really giving him tangible ideas on how to become an even better version of himself.

[Sydni · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was more like a compare and contrast list than a book. He has 'Ordinary' written on one side of the paper and 'Extraordinary' on the other. I learned some things, but I probably would have liked it better if it was written in context other than just a list.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept in the Kids Bathroom for years, hoping that they would pick it up and read it. Perhaps one day they will acknowledge they peaked or read the book and that it was helpful to them. as always with teens, it needs to be their own idea. If you purchased the book, read it, and then hoped that your kids would become the Amazing teens, and they didn't,,,,I imagine that depression was around the corner. Take care to hope and look at your kids as individually amazing, not because of what they do...but because who they are.

[Steven Hummer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very repedative John Bytheway's writting style was annoyintg and frustrating.
Example:
"ordinary teeens do... and extra ordinary teens do..."
This is the format he used for every topic covered in the book to hear these exact words over and over again on a audiobook will make blood shoot from your eyes and cause your head to explode.
John Bytheway has some better audiobooks/talks out there go give those a try.

[Jamie Hood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written in a way that is quick and easy to read. On the left pages are how to be an ordinary teenager and on the right pages are how to be an extraordinary teenager. And each set of pages is a different topic.

I especially liked the complain vs. contribute pages and talk about others vs. talk about ideas pages. I could be a lot better at not complaining and not gossiping.

Basically this whole book was motivation for a good mindset switch. Looking for the positive, being content, and going the extra mile. I’ve been complaining a lot lately about life and moving to another place with snow… I could be better at seeing the good and contributing to those around me, especially at home.

A few pages were about wasting time watching tv, but this was written in 1999, so I replaced those thoughts with wasting time on my phone, going on tik tok, being sucked into influencers, etc.

Only took me about 20 min to read, but it was a good reminder of my favorite scripture Philippians 4:11 - “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

I know it’s a short book, but I’m going through my parents’ shelves and reading shorter spiritual books to boost my reading goal. I’ll admit it lol. I don’t feel bad because some books I read are very thick, so it all balances out hahaha.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3. It was good and motivating, but this is the type of book I imagine would be an option in a millennial’s bathroom in the early 2000’s before phones were a thing lol.

[Isis Burdick · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books I’ve read in my entire life! My husband and I were going through old junk when we found this book his parents had given him in high school.

As someone who studies child development, I have to say this is a terrible book to give to adolescents!!! This book is nothing but a comparison of how terrible normal teens are and how “extraordinary” LDS teens should behave.

Being a teenager is hard enough! We should be loving our youth and stand by their side being role models, not judging their actions, telling them how the perfect extraordinary Mormon teen should behave!

Although I am sure John Bytheway only had the best of intentions, I would NEVER, and I mean NEVER give this book to a adolescent!

[Emy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I would have had this book as a teenager! Really good audiobook.

[Loralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent little book, great for adults as well as teens. Saving for the kids Christmas stockings.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ordered this for Sam for his Easter basket and quickly read it. It is a small, pocket size, 100 page or so book filled with wisdom of how to be more than ordinary. Some topics were a bit too old for him (such as dating) but, it is good for him to read and be prepared. Other topics were perfect for him such as idleness/self-absorbed/tv/video games/blaming others/boredom/etc.... I hope it makes him think and want to be EXTRA-ordinary and not just the typical teen.

John Bytheway is a great writer for teens. Yes, there were plenty of cheesy parts, but I think perfect for Sam's humor and where he's at in his life. I like that Bytheway helps teens realize they don't have to act like teen because they are of that age, they can be more, extraordinary.

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and just replaced "teenager" with "person" or "woman". Great book!

Every page turned in the book is split into two parts: on the left is the ordinary teenager and on the right is the extraordinary teenager. I mainly read the right side of the book, as well as some of the left.

I love how John Bytheway can take the toughest of subjects and turn them funny or give an example from our day and help us to understand it better!

[Darci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a little mini-book. Each page compares the differences between ordinary teens and extraordinary teens, in how they handle situations, problems, beliefs, thier time, values, etc.... Meant for teens who have a true desire to be better, and for parents wanting to inspire their teens. Great teaching tool. Easy to read in a half hour. But needs to be re-read constantly if you really want to utilize ideas.

[Korrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Bytheway has always been good at putting complicated things into simple words. In this book, he talks to teens about setting good habits and things that would help you be a better teen/person throughout your life. Well, it's certainly helping me out! A very good read targeted for teens, but can be read by anyone really!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short little book that compares "ordinary" teens to "extra-ordinary" teens. How they spend their time, what they think about, etc. A quick motivating read and the word "people" could easily be used in the place of "teenager".

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring book! My son read it in 40 minutes and I asked him how he liked it... He said it made him feel like a slacker(which he's not) and made him want to do better. What more could you want from a book!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brief 75 page small book that compares habits of regular teens (people) to extraordinary people. It exemplifies what sets people apart, to succeed, to lead, and to be happy. We discussed a few examples in our FHE lesson.

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw a lot of "ordinary" traits in myself. Time to work on being EXTRA-ordinary. Quick audio book we listened to on the drive home today. Very simple contrasts between ordinary traits and choices, and extraordinary traits and actions.

[Ane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, Sweet & to the point. Not a storyline, but great ideals to show where you stand with your gospel standards :)

[Michelle S · Rating 4 out of 5]

John has a fabulous outlook on life and as such is wonderful at being able to encourage teens to see their awesome potential

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read aloud as a family with teenagers. The kids really enjoyed the authors sense of humor.

[Jacob]

How to be an extraordinary teenager

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so amazing and inspiring. I feel like being an extraordinary teen all my life. John Bytheway makes it sound easy- and it should be!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really fun to read, and it's just like a bunch of quick messages, like the little books that have something to say for everyday of the year.

[Isaiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book taught me that you can be perfect and still be anice person at the same time.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was very good! very funny! i recommend definatley!!!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS A GOOD BOOK FOR A TEEN ESPECIALLY ONE IN THESE TIMES VERY INSPIATIONAL

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, short and insightful. Very glad that I read it.

[Makenna Pound · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!
Know I know how to be an Extra-ordinary teen and I am going to be!! :)

[Londi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This can also apply to adults. Lol. Just sayin...

[Scharlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love listening to these books on cd with my girls!

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it!