Not long ago, when my son started sixth grade, he came home every night with questions we hadn’t addressed in the innocent world of elementary school. for example, he would ask, “what does ‘that’s what she said’ mean?”
I’ll be honest. he didn’t know how to respond… in part because he was unaware of the movies and shows that provided the context for his young adult humor.
even so, my son’s questions continued to move into areas that suggested it was time for the “birds and bees” discussion.
You are reading: Inspirational books for teens
Not really knowing how to go about it, I struggled for weeks until a friend gave me some simple, practical advice that I had overlooked. he said, “give her a book to read, then ask her if she has any questions.”
why didn’t I think of that?
I’ll admit, I still wasn’t entirely comfortable answering all of your questions, but this approach was infinitely more effective than me stumbling around to find the right words. I took advantage of the fact that someone else had carefully explained a topic in an age-appropriate way for my son.
As parents and educators, it is important that we use the resources around us to provide our children with the best possible information, perspectives, and opportunities in life.
My kids don’t always listen to me (believe it or not), so my alternate means of attack is through someone else’s words. after all, some of the most insightful wisdom I’ve found lies in the books on my shelves.
here’s our list of 10 must-read classic inspirational books for students!
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1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo : A modern masterpiece, this allegorical novel conveys a wonderful message about finding your purpose in life and being more appreciative of the things around you. Through the travels of Santiago, a little shepherd, we learn the wisdom of listening to our hearts.
2. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale – One of the greats, this practical work teaches the critical importance of one’s attitude in achieving goals, overcoming defeat, and living the good life.
3. pay it forward by catherine ryan hyde: a sentimental affair with a gritty core and a less-than-happy ending, this novel demonstrates the incredible power of random acts of kindness and the impact of all the little things we do.
4. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom: One of my all-time favorites, this memoir provides a poignant perspective on the things that really matter and what true happiness looks like.
5. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. classon – a classic. There may not be a better book to teach the importance of saving for the future and the power of compound interest.
6. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: In my opinion, no book has ever been written that does a better job of communicating the importance of empathy and putting yourself in other people’s shoes.
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7. Outliers: The Success Story by Malcolm Gladwell – A fascinating read that offers important insight into how to use our unique abilities in tune with the time and circumstances of our lives.
8. the freedom writers diary : how a teacher and 150 teens used writing to change themselves and the world around them by freedom writers with erin gruwell : a raw true story of a English teacher and her “at risk” students who embarked on a transformative journey against bigotry. this book inspires us to share our own stories and open our minds to accept the differences between us.
9. 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey: Applying the timeless principles of the 7 Habits, this step-by-step book tells teens how to be more effective and helps guide their future decisions.
10. think and grow rich napoleon hill – another classic! Although it is a challenging read, a teen reading this book will not only understand the power of high expectations, but also the importance of finding his passion in life.
Our study of happy and successful people throughout history concluded that they all viewed life as a process of constant growth. to this end, almost all of them were avid readers.
Growth comes from new experiences and the gathering of knowledge. They say that a person who reads lives a thousand lives. I believe this to be true and I know that the wonderful perspectives of others can fill our children’s minds… not only with knowledge, but with the mindset to be truly happy.
Let us know some of your favorite inspirational books for teens!