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Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul

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Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul The preteen years; a time of physical and emotional changes, of sometimes listening to press more than your parents, of dealing with social issues like school violence, family separation and permanent loss, and of trying to fit in with your friends while still keeping your own personal identity. This book will show you that you are not alone - no matter what is going on in your life - with stories about school, friendship, laughter, first crushes, tough stuff and more. True stories by real kids, just like you, moving through the exciting and challenging years from nine to thirteen, on the way to growing up......

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

266 people are currently reading
1189 people want to read

About the author

Jack Canfield

1,286 books1,751 followers
Jack 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.

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5 stars
961 (39%)
4 stars
747 (30%)
3 stars
576 (23%)
2 stars
128 (5%)
1 star
45 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
Profile Image for Britt.
481 reviews44 followers
February 13, 2018
I may be 19, but this was a nostalgia trip and that doesn't mean I didn't still tear up during a handful of these stories.
I remembered a handful from when I first read this at, like, age 12, too.
Profile Image for Can.
204 reviews10 followers
December 12, 2015
4 ya da 5inci sınıftayken okuduğum ve çok sevdiğimi hatırladığım bir kitaptı ve bir dönüş yapmak istedim ve hikayelerin yarısından fazlasını hatırladığımı farkettim :')
Profile Image for cynthia ✨.
134 reviews15 followers
October 24, 2018
Overall, this book was......ok. When Mr. Brett told me lots of the stories in here were sad, I expected tragic stories on deaths and losses but most of what I read were stories on divorces, cancer, crushes and first kisses. As cold and harsh as it sounds, none of the stories in this book were somewhat sad. Maybe it was because they were too short or because I didn't get to know the characters well enough, who knows.

Though, there was one that ALMOST made me feel a tinge of sadness. It was about a little girl's grandpa and that his love for her was so strong that it was the only reason it made him want to live :).

Sorry, Mr. Brett :/
Profile Image for Maxine.
18 reviews
January 19, 2012
I got this book on my tenth birthday from one of my aunts, and it was the only book that I would voluntarily read back then since I wasn't too big on reading.

I read the stories which seemed interesting and enjoyed reading them. But just weeks before my 12th birthday my grandfather died. Months after, I remembered the book and read through the ones of death and dying. It helped me get through better, knowing that others have been through it but have learned from their experience.

I've laughed, cried and smiled all through this book. Even though now I'm older I look through it, and it helps me. There's definitely at least one story in there for everyone.
Profile Image for Jenn.
30 reviews
June 29, 2008
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! Omg i remember reading it. It was practically breath-taking. I dont kno why though :) just something about the stories and i had my share of laughs and tears with each story and case scenario. I definitely would like people to read it something about it just comforts besides the fact that you know that there are people who can relate to you or are worse off an have a better outlook on life than you. Definitely gets you all worked up and more in touch with your inner-self and your inner feelings. I <3 it :D
15 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2011
so far my favorite story is the first one. it is a beautiful story about a bear that travels around the world. the other stories are just as amazing
Profile Image for Amy.
26 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2017
Great for helping people (like me) with problems.
Profile Image for Violet.
20 reviews
January 6, 2010
COUNT AS TWO BOOKS! This book contains a collection of stories from people who've struggled during their preteen years but have managed to survive. Through these stories current preteens and people who have passed them. Towards the end of each story the writer gives advice to preteens who are in the same situation or share what they've learned throgh their experiences.
I think that these are great stories and keept me hooked because so many of these stories I can relate with and laugh as I recall of similar incidents I've been in. After a while thought the type of stories in here begin to all seem the same and become boring. I'm not saying though that when you read the stories in the beginning their bad. You feeel every emotion there is,sadness in the when someone dies,entertainment when the writers share a funny situation caused by confusion. Just read a quater into the book then stop.
This book is perfect for preteeens their lives are as perfect as they'd wished them to be, parents who want to understand their preteens, or for people who want a couple of laughs. For the preteens who've read this book, if you liked it when you become a teeenager there are Chicken Soup books for you with everyday stories. The same goes for you parents who liked this there's many Chicken Soup books for you.
16 reviews
September 24, 2019
The book ‘Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul’ isn't by just one author, its by 101 authors and most of them are around my age, 8-16, but meant for kids 9-13. I love this book because it has so many different stories about different people and different perspectives. One of my favorite quotes is from ‘Eclectic Wisdom’ and the quote is, “ Sometimes it’s nice to be important, but it’s always important to be nice.” I love this quote because it is true. I always thought I had to be more important than i had to be nice, or I wouldn't be nice so i could be important, but now I realize, i've had wrong this entire time, i have to be nice instead of important. I recommend this book to any preteen, the book made me laugh, cry, and much more I wouldn't like to say.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
417 reviews13 followers
December 17, 2008
If you don't enjoy cynical reviews, cease reading this now. The stories contained in this book (and other Chicken Soup books) are nice and are about life lessons, but it is my personal theory and belief that life lessons cannot be learned via reading them in a book; they must be lived. In a critical moment no one (or at least very few people) will think 'now what did I learn in the Chicken Soup books about times like these?'. The book is enjoyable but I wholly reject that the stories contained therein are of life significance to anyone other than the persons who have recounted them to the editors.
Profile Image for Sophia.
40 reviews
April 5, 2008
>.< even though i'm not a preteen anymore i really enjoy reading this book cause as i read this book it reminds of what i did when i was a preteen, hangouts,argue with parents, etc. I actually learned new things about preteen and i actually think my parents were a little over protected. But any way i think this is an awesome book.
Profile Image for Corey.
851 reviews10 followers
September 29, 2008
This was one of my favorite books as I went from 5th grade to 6th grade. It was so great that I remember it even now. It made me excited for middle school, as well as gave me fun exciting summer stories to keep me busy.
Profile Image for Menglong Youk.
419 reviews67 followers
December 8, 2014
3.5 stars

I know this book is supposed to be for preteens who are around 9-13, but you know what, I also found some of the story inspirational and touching. If you want to give a birthday present to the people around those ages, this book is highly recommended.
Profile Image for Payton.
8 reviews
March 2, 2008
This book is cool. Its happy sad and everything inbetween. its about people who went through hard times or did cool stuff(sometimes motivating). You should read it
18 reviews
September 2, 2008
I think this book is a great book for anyone who is looking for a book that they wont get bored with. I think this book is jam packed with insightful stories you will read again and again.
Profile Image for Katie White.
32 reviews
December 2, 2008
This was a great book happy and sad stories but all around great to read
5 reviews
July 1, 2009
What can I say? This book is for preteens and young teenagers. Amazing stories that will make you laugh, cry, and wonder.
22 reviews
January 5, 2009
OMG! I read this at age eleven and it actually helped me....lol. I love the chicken soup books! Make more plz!
2 reviews
Currently reading
January 23, 2009
kind of sad cause most of the storys in the book is about death.
Profile Image for Luna.
27 reviews
February 8, 2009
i luv the chicken soup stories,very helpful...
Profile Image for Hima.
117 reviews8 followers
February 22, 2009
I like how all of thiese are real stories, but I don't like how they are categorized. I mean, I wouldn't awant to read ten or twenty death stories in a row!!!
Profile Image for Ashley.
2,089 reviews53 followers
Read
March 19, 2021
Borrowed from the library.

FS: "What can you learn from a teddy bear, a little bit of stuffed fluff that can't talk?"
LS:

(In notebook.)
327 reviews
March 3, 2024
I read it in Korean in which only 33 storis selected. This book broke my prejudice about translated books. I usually don't like to read books translated from English into Korean, but this book is an exception. It is touching maybe because this book is written for prepeens. I have 'Chicken Soup Teenage Soul II' in English with me and I had difficulty keeping on reading. It was filled with trivials.

I like most of the stories in this book but especially the story of Karl Marlone, an American former professional basketball player in the NBA. This is about resilience and tenacity. Karl showed us how he learned from his mother who was left with nine children by her husband who committed suicide.

My second favorite is the story about what is to do right. (I can't figure out the original title in English). A six grader, Shirley, got HW about how you can do the right thing. She was not able to get a clear idea about the topic until the last moment even though she interviewed many family members including parents and grandmother, and neighbors. What makes it worse, she had to take care of her four year old cousin, Andrea, who is a nuisance to her. But from Andrea, she got the answer.
Andrea said, "It is to be nice to the family and friends. It is to do as you are told by Mom. It is to eat a lot of vegetables and fruit. You take a bath when you are not clean. Don't waste water and electricity. Don't bother a cat. Don't run away from your cowardice. And you are not supposed to eat a stone." This signifies everyone except enfants can discern what is right from wrong without being educated at school. When I have a chance to get the original version, I am ready to read the rest.

I highly recommend this book not only for preteens but for everybody.
Profile Image for Katherine.
49 reviews
May 24, 2020
This book is truly a miracle for preteens. It deals with a lot of tough stuff in life, but also the good stuff too. It makes you realize that you're not alone in life, and what you're experiencing is perfectly normal. I think every kid from age 9-13, if not everyone, should definitely read this; the stories are really healing for the soul and mind. As I read this, I experienced a lot of emotions and I didn't know what to think during many of those stories. But what I undoubtedly know is that I'm a bit wiser in how to deal with things life throws at you than I was before. Life can give you a lot of things that may be hard to accept or overcome; what's important is that you don't give up and value every day you get to live. I'm so thankful that I got a chance to reflect on my life and go over the things that I took for granted every day, such as family, friends, life, kindness, nature, the small things that make you smile, and so much more. One quote that I want to share is that life is short and you only get one shot at it, so you might as well give your best shot:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3 reviews
May 31, 2018
This book was awesome, I absolutely loved it. Reading the stories that these kids submitted about different things that happened in their lives made me emotional. Some of them were so intense I couldn't believe that they actually happened to them. I highly recommend reading this book not only because it is extremely interesting and fun to read but its inspiring to everyone who reads it.
Profile Image for Laura.
1,936 reviews27 followers
September 20, 2018
This is the second time I've read this book and it still makes me cry. Even though I'm supposed to be too old to to be the target audience, I love it. I want to use it to teach life lessons to my middle schoolers. It's so much easier to learn through books than learn these kinds of life lessons through experience.
1 review
December 13, 2016
I just loved the book...Some stories make us cry and some make us laugh..The stories are really good...and each problem has a solution is what we learn from every story..chicken soup for the preteen soul is one of my favourite books...
Profile Image for Jaspreet Grewal.
23 reviews
January 6, 2018
I only read stories that interested me and the ones I did read they were pretty good and had good lessons to go along for example "people will come and go in ur life" read this book for urself and be amazed.!
Profile Image for Fiona.
117 reviews
December 11, 2018
I’m in my 40s but still enjoyed this book. Would read it on my lunch break and tell the stories (well, what I could remember) to my daughters (9 and 8 years old) later on. They enjoyed hearing about them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews

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