April Townsend is thirteen years old and likes reading and writing. She wants to be a middle-school English teacher or a psychologist because she enjoys listening to people and helping them with their problems.
Casey L. Veronie is a sophomore who plays the trombone in his high school band. He is active in his church high school youth group and has achieved an Eagle Scout ranking in Boy Scouts.
Julia Wasson Render is a former elementary teacher who now works for a company that helps very young children build literacy skills. In her spare time, she contributes to Partners for Schools and Partners for Parents, two newsletters just for parents of preteen kids. Her inspirations are her daughter, Lindsay, and sons, Aaron and Jake. Julia can be reached at 1916 Grantwood Dr., Iowa City, IA 52440.
Megan Weaver is a thirteen-year-old from Georgia who has been writing and illustrating short stories since she was eight. She is active in her church and loves art, sports, tap and jazz, and playing the piano. Megan plans to write a book someday and maybe become a doctor or veterinarian.
Lauren Wheeler is twelve years old and enjoys going to camp, hanging out with her friends and playing tennis. She loves making new friends online with people from diverse backgrounds. She is on a swim team that has been undefeated for two years.
Nikki Yargar, age fourteen, plays lacrosse, softball and basketball and loves swimming in the summer. Music and her friends are important to her. In her free time, she likes to write in her diary and work on her scrapbook. She is very close to her parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Megan Youpa, fourteen, enjoys playing softball and hanging out with her friends. She started writing poetry to express her feelings to the world and to show others how she feels. Megan would like to thank her English teacher, Mrs. Always, for introducing her to poetry.
Xiao Xi Zhang, age eighteen, moved to the United States from China at the age of twelve. His experiences of sadness, loss and success in this country led him to write his story for Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul. He can be reached at [email protected].
Permissions
We would like to acknowledge the following publishers and individuals for permission to reprint the following material. (Note: The stories that were penned anonymously, that are public domain, or that were written by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Hansen or Irene Dunlap are not included in this listing.)
Introduction. Reprinted by permission of Michelle Richard and Catherine Richard. ©1999 Michelle Richard.
Introduction. Reprinted by permission of Megan Brown and Linda Brown. ©1999 Megan Brown.
Introduction. Reprinted by permission of Aubrey Nighswander and David Nighswander. ©1999 Aubrey Nighswander.
Opener, Achieving Dreams. Reprinted by permission of Sara Elizabeth Alfano and Ann Alfano. ©1998 Sara Alfano.
Where in the World Is Carmen? Reprinted by permission of Marieta Irwin. ©1998 Marieta Irwin.
Trash Bags Are for Trash. Reprinted by permission of Makenzie Snyder and Margie Snyder. ©2000 Makenzie Snyder.
Run with It. Reprinted by permission of Susan B. Overton. ©2000 Susan B. Overton.
The Back of David’s Head. Reprinted by permission of Mary Ellyn Sandford. ©1998 Mary Ellyn Sandford.
Going to the Dogs. Reprinted by permission of Stephanie Taylor and Kathleen Ryan. ©1999 Stephanie Taylor.
If I Could Change the World for the Better, I Would. . . . Reprinted by permission of Lance Bass. ©2000 Lance Bass, J. C. Chasez. ©2000 J. C. Chasez, Joey Fatone Jr. ©2000 Joey Fatone Jr., Chris Kirkpatrick. ©2000 Chris Kirkpatrick, Justin Timberlake. ©2000 Justin Timberlake, ©2000 Scarlett Kotlarczyk, Wilson Cook, Brandon Barger, Timothy Blevans, Stacy Bergman, Rachel Force, Sarah Hampton, Lisa Cline, Kristin Boden, Annemarie Staley, Tracye Paye, Casey Singleton, Kristen Hamilton, Trevor Burton, Pratima Neti, Jessilyn Yoo, Angela Rotchstein, Jessica Behles, Jill Ananda, Najia Abdul Razak, Kyla Cangemi, Chap Arst, Mia Sifford, Steve Hayden, Alysia Escalante, Nikole Pegues, William Baun, Neil Gogno, Bethany Hicks, Andrea Hawsey, Rosie Huf, Stacy Luebbe, Rita Koch and Allison Opsitnick.
A Run to Remember. Reprinted by permission of Barbara Glenn. ©1989 Barbara Glenn.
Shining Down. Reprinted by permission of Monte Keith Stewart, Michael Kavalinas and Donna Kavalinas. ©2000 Monte Keith Stewart.
The Power of the Pen. Reprinted by permission of Carol Osman Brown, Arlys Angelique Endres and Arlys Allegra Endres. ©1997 Carol Osman Brown.
Dreams. Reprinted by permission of Ryan Kelly and Colleen Kelly. ©1999 Ryan Kelly.
Opener, On Friendship. Reprinted by permission of Nicole Ritchie and Leota Ritchie. ©1999 Nicole Ritchie and Leota Ritchie.
The Forgotten Friend. Reprinted by permission of Judith Burnett Schneider. ©1998 Judith Burnett Schneider.
Backfire! Reprinted by permission of Lou Kassem. ©1999 Lou Kassem.
My Best Enemy. Reprinted by permission of Dakota Lane. ©1999 Dakota Lane.
Best Friends. Reprinted by permission of Whitney Baldwin and Robert Baldwin. ©1999 Whitney Baldwin.
Heaven Sent. Reprinted by permission of Beverley Mitchell. ©2000 Beverley Mitchell.
Keeping in Touch. Reprinted by permission of Emily Burton and Margaret Burton. ©1998 Emily Burton.
My Big Solo. Reprinted by permission of Cynthia M. Hamond. ©1998 Cynthia M. Hamond.
Now You See it, Now You Don’t. Reprinted by permission of Anne McCourtie. ©1999 Anne McCourtie.
Opener, On Family. Reprinted by permission of Lisa-Dawn Bertolla. ©1998 Lisa-Dawn Bertolla.
Hey, Remember When? Reprinted by permission of Kyle Brown and Pamela Brown. ©1999 Kyle Brown.
Families That Care, Care About Families. Reprinted by permission of Rachelle P. Castor. ©1999 Rachelle P. Castor.
Together, We Can Do Anything. Reprinted by permission of Jarod Larson and Susan Larson. ©1999 Jarod Larson.
Gains and Losses. Reprinted by permission of Xiao Xi Zhang. ©1999 Xiao Xi Zhang.
Quote. Reprinted by permission of Megan Lynn Youpa and Cynthia A. Youpa. ©1998 Megan Lynn Youpa.
Forever Garrett. Reprinted by permission of Mia Hamm. ©2000 Mia Hamm.
Supper David. Reprinted by permission of Barbara Lage. ©1997 Barbara Lage.
I Flushed It. Reprinted by permission of Pier Novelli and Ailen Novelli. ©1999 Pier Novelli.
This Old Chair. Reprinted by permission of Christa Holder Ocker. ©1996 Christa Holder Ocker.
Mom. Reprinted by permission of Apryl Anderson and Bonnie Anderson. ©1999 Apryl Anderson.
Opener, On Love. Reprinted by permission of Leigha Dickens and Martha Dickens. ©1999 Leigha Dickens.
Bobby Lee. Reprinted by permission of Daphne M. Orenshein. ©1999 Daphne M. Orenshein.
Love Lives On. Reprinted by permission of Laurie Hartman. ©1999 Laurie Hartman.
Dusty, the Wonder Dog. Reprinted by permission of Mary Saracino. ©1999 Mary Saracino.
The Teacher Who Cared. Reprinted by permission of Courtni Calhoun and Loyce Calhoun. ©1999 Courtni Calhoun.
The Act of Love. Reprinted by permission of Kathy Kemmer Pyron. ©1997 Kathy Kemmer Pyron.
Cry When You Are Sad. Reprinted by permission of Jonathan Piccirillo and Diane Piccirillo. ©1999 Jonathan Piccirillo.
Only Love Lasts Forever. Reprinted by permission of Denise and Rett Ackart. ©1997 Denise and Rett Ackart.
The Reason for Living. Reprinted by permission of Lauren Elizabeth Holden and Gary Holden. ©1999 Lauren Elizabeth Holden.
Opener, On Death and Dying. Reprinted by permission of Karli McKinnon and Cindy McKinnon. ©1998 Karli McKinnon.
April Morning. Reprinted by permission of Justin Day and Frankie Day. ©1998 Justin Day.
Ryan’s Story. Reprinted by permission of Kelli Frusher and Shari Speer. ©1997 Kelli Frusher.
My Life. Reprinted by permission of Rick Alexander. ©1994 Ryan Alexander.
I’ll Never Forget Him. Reprinted by permission of Megan Weaver and David Weaver. ©1999 Megan Weaver.
&
nbsp; An Angel in Disguise. Reprinted by permission of Megan Jennings and Martha Jennings. ©1999 Megan Jennings.
My Little Superman. Reprinted by permission of KeriAnne McCaffrey and Lorraine McCaffrey. ©1998 KeriAnne McCaffrey.
Don’t Forget to Say I Love You. Reprinted by permission of Nicole Fortuna and Anna Fortuna. ©1999 Nicole Fortuna.
Grandma’s Cloud Game. Reprinted by permission of Nadine Rogers. ©1997 Nadine Rogers.
Mr. Oberley’s Star. Reprinted by permission of Cynthia Ross Cravit. ©1996 Cynthia Ross Cravit.
Life Is Short. Reprinted by permission of Scott Klinger and Aceio Moura. ©2000 Scott Klinger.
In Every Thought. Reprinted by permission of Leslie Miller and Jerry Miller. ©1999 Leslie Miller.
Opener, On Attitude and Perspective. Reprint with permission from Good Stuff, 370 Technology Drive, Malvern, PA 19355. 800-220-8600.
Big at Heart. Reprinted by permission of Bunny Schulle and Mark Schulle. ©1979 Bunny Schulle.
The Best Christmas I Never Had. Reprinted by permission of MaryJanice Davidson. ©1999 MaryJanice Davidson.
The Hidden Treasure. Reprinted by permission of Ashley King and Debra King. ©1999 Ashley King.
The Snow Angel. Reprinted by permission of Christine Fishlinger. ©1999 Christine Fishlinger.
You’ll Be Good for Him. Reprinted by permission of Eugene Gagliano. ©1996 Eugene Gagliano.
Scott. Reprinted by permission of David Ferino and Carol Ferino. ©1999 David Ferino.
Adam’s Apples. Reprinted by permission of Kim Aaron. ©2000 Kim Aaron.
Who Said There’s No Crying in Softball? Reprinted by permission of Amy Severns and Patricia Severns. ©1996 Amy Severns.
The Yellow Piece of Paper. Reprinted by permission of Lauren Thorbjornsen and Diana Thorbjornsen. ©1998 Lauren Thorbjornsen.
Hard Work Pays Off. Reprinted by permission of Karl Malone. ©2000 Karl Malone.
Opener, Overcoming Obstacles. Reprinted by permission of Hope Saxton. ©1999 Hope Saxton.
Annie Wiggle-Do. Reprinted by permission of Kathleen M. Muldoon. ©1999 Kathleen M. Muldoon.
Two Percent Is Enough. Reprinted by permission of Krissy Creager and Kathleen Creager. ©1999 Krissy Creager.
The First Day of Middle School. Reprinted by permission of Patty Hansen. ©1997 Patty Hansen.
Perfect, I’m Not. Reprinted by permission of Julia Wasson Render. ©1999 Julia Wasson Render.
Rediscovery. Reprinted by permission of Raegan Baker. ©1999 Raegan Baker.
A Little Coaching. Reprinted by permission of Noah Edelson. ©1997 Noah Edelson.
The Last Runner. Reprinted by permission of Lisa Beach. ©1996 Lisa Beach.
Tough, Sturdy and Triumphant. Reprinted by permission of Elijah Shoesmith and Sandi Shoesmith. ©1997 Elijah Shoesmith.
Opener, On Choices. Reprinted by permission of Jaimie Shapiro and George Shapiro. ©1997 Jaimie Shapiro.
Forever, Stay in My Heart. Reprinted by permission of Jillian Eide and Pamela Eide. ©1996 Jillian Eide.
Two Tickets to the Big Game. Reprinted by permission of J. Styron Madsen. ©1998 J. Styron Madsen.
Fireplug and Dad. Reprinted by permission of Rusty Fischer. ©1999 Rusty Fischer.
Nice Catch. Reprinted by permission of Doris Canner. ©1999 Doris Canner.
The Gorilla Syndrome. Reprinted by permission of Elizabeth J. Schmeidler. ©1999 Elizabeth J. Schmeidler.
Just Desserts. Reprinted by permission of Beverly Spooner. ©1999 Beverly Spooner.
A Chicken-Noodle-Soup Day. Reprinted by permission of Donna Beveridge. ©1999 Donna Beveridge.
Everything Will Be Okay. Reprinted by permission of James Howe. ©1995 James Howe. Also published in When I Was Your Age, edited by Amy Ehrlich, Candlewick Press, 1996.
A Silent Voice. Reprinted by permission of David R. Collins. ©1980 David R. Collins.
Walking with Grandpa. Reprinted by permission of Greg Hall. ©1999 Greg Hall.
Opener, On Tough Stuff. Reprinted by permission of Shannon and Ashley O’Bryant and Randy O’Bryant. ©1999 Shannon and Ashley O’Bryant.
Kelsey. Reprinted by permission of Shane Ruwe and Katie Ceto. ©1998 Shane Ruwe.
Losing Mom. Reprinted by permission of Diana Carson and Robert Carson. ©1998 Diana Carson.
Celebrate the Good Days. Reprinted by permission of Leslie Beck and Marcia Beck. ©1998 Leslie Beck.
Think Before You Act. Reprinted by permission of Lauren Wheeler and Judy Wheeler. ©1998 Lauren Wheeler.
Getting Better. Reprinted by permission of Tiffany Jacques and Thomas Jacques. ©1999 Tiffany Jacques.
For the Best. Reprinted by permission of April Townsend and Anna Townsend. ©2000 April Townsend.
A Smile Can Save a Life. Reprinted by permission of Jason R. Dorsey. ©2000 Jason R. Dorsey.
My One Regret. Reprinted by permission of Angelia Lee Swift. ©1999 Angelia Lee Swift.
The Perfect Figure! Reprinted by permission of Nikki Yargar and Barbara Yargar. ©1999 Nikki Yargar.
Pale Dawn of a New Day. Reprinted by permission of Katherine Ackerman and Barbara A. Blakesley. ©1998 Katherine Ackerman.
My Very First Kiss. Reprinted by permission of Patty Hansen. ©1999 Patty Hansen.
Quote. Reprinted by permission of Jessica Heringer and Pam Allenheringer. ©2000 Jessica Heringer.
A Life Once Lived. Reprinted by permission of Brandi Bacon and Lewis Zeisler. ©1998 Brandi Bacon.
Papa. Reprinted by permission of Mary Normandin and Brian Normandin. ©1997 Mary Normandin.
Taking a Stand. Reprinted by permission of Irene Dunlap. ©1999 Irene Dunlap. Loving Equally. Reprinted by permission of Nicole Peters and Carol Skinner. ©1999 Nicole Peters.
Just Do It! Reprinted by permission of Son Truong Nguyen and Anh Hoang. ©1997 Son Truong Nguyen.
I Love You, Lindsey. Reprinted by permission of Lindsey Rawson and Susan Rawson. ©1998 Lindsey Rawson.
My Best Friend. Reprinted by permission of Tamera Collins. ©1999 Tamera Collins.
You Know You’re Growing Up When. . . . Reprinted by permission of authors. ©2000 Kirsten Gunderson, Rachael Pavelko, Kelsey Gunderson, Lindsay Carlson, Kim Riddle, Lauren Aitchison, Amanda Long, Janelle Breese-Biagioni, Alex Blake, Amaelia Macoritto, Ashton Howe, Katy Coleman, Annie Barkley, Emily Skees, Keley Katona, Kaleigh Cronin, April Randes, Craig Lee Watrous Jr., Jennifer Luptak, Allie Thrower, Erin LeSavoy, Ellen Lloyd-Reilley, Kendall Nixon, Gregory Neel and Morgan Neel, Faith Khan, Tim Robine.
Opener, Eclectic Wisdom. Reprinted by permission of Meghan Beardsley and Nancy Beardsley. ©1998 Meghan Beardsley.
Redsy. Reprinted by permission of Barry Fireman. ©1998 Barry Fireman.
Tippy. Reprinted by permission of Christine Armstrong. ©1997 Christine Armstrong.
What’s a Miracle, Granddad? Reprinted by permission of Lew Talmadge. ©1999 Lew Talmadge.
Never Put Rocks in Your Mouth. Reprinted by permission of Shirley Barone Craddock. ©1989 Shirley Barone Craddock.
The Moment I Knew I’d Never Be Cool. Reprinted by permission of D. Marie O’Keefe. ©2000 D. Marie O’Keefe.
Lost. Reprinted by permission of Casey Veronie and Janet Veronie Barns. ©1997 Casey Veronie.
Kindness Is a Simple Gift. Reprinted by permission of Michael Oknefski and Mary Jane Oknefski. ©1998 Michael Oknefski.
Our Christmas Secret. Reprinted by permission of Lori Menning. ©1996 Lori Menning.
What I’ve Learned So Far. Reprinted by permission of the authors. ©2000Melissa Amyx, Marleigh Dunlap, Janne Perona, Nikki Chance, Reanna Grissom, Sylvia Lares, Brennan Shaw, Jillian Graham, Dena Soffer, Joshua White, Dylan Dudley, Mandy Tallant, Tarek Audi, George Preston, Melanie Hansen, Filipe Romero, Chastity Sezate, Carol Rodriguez, Gladys Lau, Michael Betancourt, Liz Hansen, Cory Price, Becca Yurcek, Santana Hubert, Courtney Stewart, Kaleigh Cronin, Jade Mason, Melissa Quincosa, Ashley Fannon, Chelsey Rice, Vanessa Cupo, Danielle Relue, Melissa Lansford, Jacqueline Christy, Lorin Padgurskis, Kaitlyn Swee
ney, Weston Dunlap, Dijana Atikovic, Eddie Holtz, Julie Lundgren, Aaron Snyder, Jason Trusso.
The End. Reprinted by permission of Paige Holland and Christiana Holland. ©1999 Paige Holland.
NOTES
101 Stories of Changes, Choices and Growing Up for Kids Ages 9-13 Page 31
