101 Stories of Changes, Choices and Growing Up for Kids Ages 9-13

by Jack Canfield

  Katherine Ackerman is a thirteen-year-old from Florida. She enjoys traveling, writing, painting, drawing and sculpture. Katherine is also involved in many different sports including canoeing and backpacking and is on her school swim team.

  Sara Alfano, age twelve, lives in Pennsylvania and has been writing poetry for several years. Her favorite pastimes are reading, basketball, softball, listening to music and hanging out with friends. She loves animals, especially her dog, Sadie, and her cat, Tweety.

  Apryl Anderson is a seventeen-year-old from Washington. She loves to sing, dance and play baseball. Apryl dreams of going to college and becoming a kindergarten teacher and a model.

  Christine Armstrong is an attorney who lives with her husband Roger and their son Randy in a farmhouse in the Minnesota woods. In addition to writing, her hobbies include reading, making handmade books, jewelry and quilts. Christine has continued to open her heart to a variety of animals over the years including ducks, hamsters, parakeets, dogs, cats, a chinchilla and even a goat. Reach her via e-mail at Chris99337@aol.com.

  Brandi Bacon is a sixteen-year-old sophomore in Kentucky. She is a cheerleader and has recently returned from Germany where she was a foreign exchange student. Brandi has been writing since she was in the second grade and hopes that her story will help other kids who are facing difficult situations.

  Raegan Baker is a freshman in college majoring in communications. She enjoys reading, writing and spending time with friends and family. Raegan loves children and would like to one day work with children and teenagers who suffer from OCD. You can reach her via e-mail at RWB7and18@aol.com.

  Whitney M. Baldwin is a thirteen-year-old from New York. She is a dance competitor and loves to read and write poetry. Whitney would like to thank Mr. Sherry for being the first to inspire her to write.

  Shirley Barone Craddock is the published author of two children’s books and several magazine stories. She is an artist and has received the People’s Choice Award from the North Valley Art League. Shirley loves to write in such a way that will stimulate a child’s mind and entertain them to silliness and surprise. She can be reached at 1703 Victor Ave., Redding, CA 96003; 530-223-2584; tigerknot@thegrid.net.

  Lisa Beach is an instructor at Indiana University East in Richmond, Indiana. She is the author of a children’s book, Building a Bridge, and a short story, Taking Baby Home. Hard at work on a novel, Lisa lives with her husband David and their children Jon, Traci, Richard, Alaina and Blair. You can reach her at Beachwriter@aol.com.

  Meghan Beardsley is sixteen years old. She has studied ballet for thirteen years and has toured with a professional ballet company. Meghan is an avid soccer player and has traveled extensively. Her previous writing acknowledgments include the Sperry Award for an essay and a poem published in Celebrate—New York’s Young Poets Speak Out.

  Leslie Beck is a high school sophomore in Missouri. She enjoys playing the flute and running track. As a freshman, she was Rookie of the Year on her softball team. Leslie aspires to be a veterinarian and own her own practice. She dedicates her story to her grandmother who was not here to see Leslie’s mother win her fight against cancer.

  Lisa-Dawn Bertolla lives in Essex County in the south of England with her dog Harry and Colin the goldfish. She has always had a passion for writing. Her latest project is a book of short stories, poetry and Haiku. Lisa-Dawn feels that writing transcends international boundaries and brings people together. Contact her via e-mail at lisa-dawn@skynow.net.

  Donna Beveridge is a primary literacy specialist. She loves early mornings, sing-alongs, children’s books, new journals, her grandchildren and family stories. Her first children’s book, Henry, was published in 1999 for the educational market. She has also published books for teachers. Donna can be reached at P.O. Box 1635, Windham, ME 04062, or via e-mail at DLBeveridg@aol.com.

  Kyle Brown, a high school senior from California, lives with his parents and younger brother, Jack. He enjoys theater and is involved with drama at his school. An avid sports fan, Kyle likes to watch and go to professional sporting events. Writing is a hobby, as well as computer graphics, video games and cars.

  Megan Brown is a thirteen-year-old who published two books by the third grade. She runs track, takes dance class and plays soccer, basketball and the electric guitar. She lives with her parents, sister, brother and pet dog, Bailey, and enjoys being with her friends and talking on the phone.

  Judith Burnett Schneider, a former research organic chemist, is the mother of three. She is the author of Write Well & Sell: Changing Life’s Simple Stories into Sales and is a contributing author for the book Plastics Recycling. Judith is also host of Critique Retreat for Writing Women. She teaches workshops at bookstores, her local community college and through her Internet writing classes. Judith welcomes feedback via e-mail at jbswrites@sgi.net; or mail P.O. Box 207, Ingomar, PA 15127.

  Emily Burton, age twelve, loves art and creative writing. She enjoys all sports, especially basketball and soccer. Emily wants to give a big “HEY, I’M IN A BOOK” to her friends Leah, Kate, Clair, Bevan, Sierra, Chelsea, Miranda, Frani, Jeff, Luke, Mike and Meaghan, who is her best friend, and to her mom.

  Courtni Calhoun, a thirteen-year-old eighth grader from Texas, is a GATE student who plays alto sax, holds first chair in her school band, won second chair in an all-region competition and has been a majorette for the past two years. Winning fifth place in a state writing competition and being published is proof of the impact that her teacher, Mrs. Barrow, has had on her life. Courtni is a dedicated Christian and is active in her church.

  Doris Canner has three grown sons and four grandsons. She resides with her husband in New Hampshire on Lake Winnipesaukee. When she’s not surfing the Internet, Doris enjoys reading and listening to music. Her love for children and for the written word has been the motivating force behind her passion for writing children’s stories. Currently, she’s working on a biography for young readers. Doris can be reached at 9 Campfire Cir., Alton, NH 03809.

  Danny Cannizzaro, age sixteen, created the cover artwork for Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul. In addition to regular high school, he attends the Orange County High School of the Arts where he takes classes in drawing, painting and graphic design, all fields in which he hopes to someday have a career. When not in school, he spends time hanging out with friends, playing with his brother, Joey, and his sister, Diana.

  Diana Carson is a sixteen-year-old from Pennsylvania who loves to write and with a few poems already published and her story in Preteen Soul, it shows. Diane enjoys playing volleyball and would like to major in journalism and minor in theater in college.

  Rachelle P. Castor grew up in a family of twelve children. She is married to her favorite guy, Doug, and they are the parents of three amazing boys. She has taught preschoolers and is now writing children’s literature. Rachelle can be reached at rpcastor@aol.com.

  David R. Collins combined two careers, teaching English in Moline, Illinois, for thirty-five years and writing books for young readers. Many of his articles and stories sprang from his classroom experiences, as did “A Silent Voice.” Named “Outstanding Illinois Educator,” Collins has won recognition from the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the PTA and the Junior Literary Guild. A prolific biographical writer, he now writes full-time and makes author visits to schools. He can be reached at 3404 45th St., Moline, IL 61265, by e-mail at kimsuess@aol.com, or by calling 309-762-8985.

  Tamera Collins is a busy mother of two, ages six and seven. This is her second published piece; the first, a children’s story, Emily’s Coat, was featured in the literary review, O’ Georgia. Tamara is a former mathematics teacher who enjoys golfing with her husband, tennis, reading and her cat, Cleo. She can be reached at 14290 Morning Mountain Way, Alpharetta, GA 30004.

  Krissy Creager is a sophomore from Arizona, where she lives with her parents. She likes playing basketball, soccer, running track, writing stories and poetry and doing normal teen stuff like hanging out
with friends. She enjoys listening to and giving advice to friends. Krissy hopes to either become a physical therapist or a counselor, in order to make a difference and help others.

  MaryJanice Davidson has written several critically acclaimed novels, but this is the first time that she has been able to write about the fire. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and children, about twenty miles from the site of the fire. “The Best Christmas I Never Had” is her first published short story. For information on her books, visit Mary’s Website at www.usinternet.com/users/alongi.

  Justin Day is a sixteen-year-old from Oklahoma who lives his life playing soccer and is interested in playing for a pro club. He enjoys going on dates and playing video games. He also enjoys writing poems and short stories in his spare time. Justin wrote his true story “April Morning” because he wanted to write something that came from the heart.

  Leigha Dickens is a thirteen-year-old who lives in South Carolina. She enjoys writing stories and poetry, reading, gardening, and some sports and is also in the “Imaginations” drama group at her school. Leigha hopes to make a career out of writing.

  Jason Dorsey is the founder of the not-for-profit Institute to End School Violence and president of Golden Ladder Productions, LLC. Jason authored Graduate to Your Perfect Job which is now used as a course in over one thousand schools. Utilizing the input of over 100,000 students, Jason authored Can Students End School Violence? Solutions from America’s Youth to provide a student’s perspective to preventing violence. Annually, Jason speaks to over 100,000 educators, students, parents, and administrators across America. He may be reached at 512-259-6877 or at www.jasondorsey.com or www.endschoolviolence.com. Jason’s life mission is to help youth shape their world.

  Noah Edelson is a director/writer/producer for television and film. His credits include producer/writer for Nickelodeon and NBC, among others. His short film, 78, premiered at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival. An award-winning poet for his children’s verse, Noah is also founder of Mighty Oak Press, committed to publishing “books for kids to grow on.” He lives in Sherman Oaks, California, with his wife Valerie, his daughter Hannah and his cat, Mister. Contact Noah at MightyOakPress@aol.com.

  Jillian Eide is a sixteen-year-old junior living in California with her parents, big brother, Jeff, and little sister, Jolene. She is a varsity cheerleader and spends a lot of time with her family and friends. Her poem is dedicated to the loving memory of her cousin Cassie Loraine Sweet, who was killed in a car accident in 1996.

  Arlys Endres, thirteen, enjoys synchronized swimming, softball, old music, old movies and hanging with her friends. She also plays violin, clarinet and the piano. Arlys loves animals and has four cats, two dogs and a hamster. She is also a member of the United Neighbors Association, a community watch program that includes painting over graffiti and taking down Christmas lights for the elderly.

  David Ferino is a thirteen-year-old living in Illinois. His favorite pastimes include playing the guitar, skateboarding, golf, soccer, basketball, theater and art. He is involved in speech tournaments, where he has received several first-place medals. David has also had his artwork hung in a college art museum but feels that his greatest accomplishment is being published in this book.

  Barry Fireman has been married for thirty-five years and has three adult children. His hobbies are woodworking, golf and reading. When he retires, he plans to devote time to writing. He loves telling stories and was encouraged by friends and his children to write Redsy. Barry recently saw Redsy again at their forty-year high school reunion. You may reach Barry at 434 Warick Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096; 610-649-2210; or via e-mail at bfireman@worldnet.att.net. Russell (Rusty) Fischer is a former teacher who now writes for a small publisher in Florida. He is proud to be able to share his story with other children all over the world. Although he still struggles with his weight, he has a new “coach” in his beautiful wife, Martha. You can contact Russell via e-mail at mfis245583@aol.com.

  Christine Fishlinger is seventeen and lives in New York with her parents and brother. She enjoys reading, writing, soccer, track, working on school plays and hanging out with friends. She looks forward to being a senior, and to going away to college.

  Nicole Fortuna, age eleven, lives in Illinois, with her mom, grandma and little brother. She is in the sixth grade and is involved in the school newspaper, yearbook, gymnastics, softball and band. Her teacher, Lisa Anco, encouraged Nicole to write her story.

  Kelli Frusher is seventeen and from California. When not at home singing, dancing or reading you can find her hot-air ballooning, white-water river rafting, dirt biking, snorkeling or horseback riding. She has written mininovels about her experiences, as well as poems. Kelli would love to make it on Broadway or the radio.

  Eugene Gagliano is the father of four children, a published author and teacher who shares his love of reading and writing with his second-grade class at Meadowlark School in Buffalo, Wyoming. He lives with his wife, Carol, at the base of the majestic Big Horn Mountains. His fiction book, Falling Stars, will be released this year. You can reach him at 20 Hillside Dr., Buffalo, WY 82834.

  Barbara L. Glenn is a writer, horseback riding teacher and 4-H Horse Project leader. She began her freelance writing in 1989 and has published articles in magazines such as Horse Illustrated, Horse Power, Stable Kids and Children’s Playground. She owns three horses, a Great Dane and two cats. Barbara enjoys art, traveling, photography, music and the company of her two girls, Ginny and Amy.

  Uncle Greg is Greg Hall, a father, uncle and businessman living in Los Gatos, California. He is the author of numerous stories for kids of all ages. You can visit his Website at www.unclegreg.com, or call 408-366-9812.

  Mia Hamm is widely recognized as the world’s best all-around soccer player. In the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, she proved it by leading her team to Team Gold in front of eighty thousand screaming fans in Athens, Georgia. Never in history had so many spectators come out to watch a women’s sporting event. Then in 1999, Mia’s team won the Women’s World Cup while more than 40 million viewers watched in the United States alone. Mia was the youngest player ever to play for the US National Team at age fifteen and has been U.S. Soccer’s Female Athlete of the Year for five consecutive years. Her awards and accomplishments tell only part of the story of this remarkable athlete. Through the Mia Hamm Foundation, she supports two causes: promoting women’s athletics and raising funds for research and awareness of bone marrow diseases. Each year, Mia hosts the “Garrett Game” in honor of her brother, whom she lost to complications from aplastic anemia, a form of bone marrow disease.

  Cynthia Marie Hamond, Secular Franciscan Order, has had stories published in nine books. Six of them are Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Her story Goodwill (Kid’s Soul) was seen on the Chicken Soup for the Soul television series. She enjoys speaking to various groups and school visits. You can reach Cynthia at P.O. Box 488, Monticello, MN 55362; or e-mail her at Candbh@aol.com.

  Laurie Hartman is the director of licensing of Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc. She loves writing, reading, horseback riding and her job with the “best people to work for on the planet.” Laurie is also the mother of one incredible son, Connor, who shares her love of writing at the tender age of ten, hoping to be a contributing author to Chicken Soup one day himself. You can reach Laurie via e-mail at laurieh@chickensoup.com.

  Lauren Elizabeth Holden, age thirteen, lives in Georgia with her parents, kitten and dog. She enjoys reading, writing, tennis, boating and hanging out with her best friends, Leslie, Lauren and Salley. A very special teacher, Joi Cox, helped Lauren develop her love for writing. Lauren continues to write and has submitted numerous entries for her school’s writing fairs.

  Christa Holder Ocker is a freelance writer with a special interest in rhyming picture-book stories. “This Old Chair” makes her a three-time contributor to the Chicken Soup books. Her story “Merry Christmas, My Friend” (Kid’s Soul) appeared on the Chicken Soup for the Soul television ser
ies. Contact Christa at 55 Royal Park Terr., Hillsdale, NJ 07642.

  Paige Holland is eleven years old. She loves to read, swim, ski and write poetry. Paige began writing stories in kindergarten and now has three of her books in her school library. Paige lives with her parents, her sister Caitlin, brothers Robby and Patrick, and Gwenith, the dog.

  James Howe is an award-winning author of more than sixty books for children, including the popular Bunnicula series. His other books for middle-grade readers include the Sebastian Barth mystery series, A Night Without Stars, Morgan’s Zoo and the highly acclaimed The Watcher. In addition to fiction, James has written many picture and chapter books. He lives in a small town north of New York City with his daughter Zoey, and a cat named Freckle.

  Marieta Irwin is wife to Steve and mother to three daughters. She is the oldest daughter of a Christian minister and has always had lots of creative energy. She is the director of the Ecumenical Youth Program at her church and works at the Sac Community Elementary School. Her writing comes out of personal experience as a kid and now as a mom. You can reach Marieta at 630 S. 10th St., Sac City, IA 50583; 712-662-4084; irwins@pionet.net.

  Tiffany Jacques is a high school sophomore in Montana. She is very close to her family. The things she loves most are children, the color yellow, butterflies, and having fun with her friends and boyfriend. Tiffany plans to go to college and would like to be a physical therapist, get married and have lots of beautiful children.

  Megan Jennings is a high school student from Kentucky. She enjoys writing poems and true life stories. Megan is a straight-A student, the secretary of her local FFA chapter and an employee of an auto parts store. Megan loves animals and owns four dogs, two horses and two donkeys. She loves the outdoors, horseback riding and hiking.

  Lou Kassem was born in the mountains of East Tennessee and inherited a talent for storytelling. In 1984, she put her talent on paper, publishing the first of eleven novels. Being an author is a career that she loves. Her hobbies are reading, traveling, golfing and mountain hiking with her husband. You can reach her at 715 Burruss Dr. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24060, by phone at 540-552-2241, or e-mail her at Lmk1931@aol.com.