Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul

by Jack Canfield

  Kelsey Lyn Carone is a thirteen-year-old honor student who enjoys soccer, reading, writing, cooking and being with friends. She has a ten-year-old brother, two dogs, four cats and one fish. Her goals are to graduate from college and pursue a career in writing.

  Carrie Joy Carson is a business student at the University of Southern California. Her favorite activities include reading, scrapbooking and driving around Los Angeles. She hopes to someday become a marketing executive and live in New York City.

  Cynthia Charlton is an aspiring writer with hopes of helping others heal through the written word, based on her life experiences. She enjoys reading, writing and spending time with her husband, David, and their two miniature dachshunds. E-mail Cindy at cindy_700@hotmail.com or visit her Website at members.shaw.ca/fortheloveofwriting.

  Jennifer Lynn Clay, fifteen, has been published more than thirty times in national and international magazines and in several books, including Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2. A state finalist for Power of the Pen in 2004, she has appeared on live television and given several radio interviews about her accomplishments as a writer.

  Maudie Conrad has been writing since she was in middle school. When given an assignment to write about America’s history, her story won an award. She is a wife and mother of four and enjoys spending time with her family, as well as with her extended family at church.

  Olga Cossi, the author of “Big Sister,” credits being a sister as one of the most important roles in her life. Her list of published books continues to give her the pleasure of sharing her many adventures with young readers, and her avocation as a visiting author keeps her ageless.

  Sarah Crunican was born in Perm, Russia. At age four, she was adopted into a family of her new mother and her newly adopted brother. She attends middle school in Seattle and enjoys reading, writing, and playing soccer, basketball, and softball.

  Marion Distante, fourteen, likes soccer, writing, drawing and traveling. She hopes to pursue a career in law or possibly to write a novel.

  Stephanie Dodson graduated with a degree in English from the University of the Pacific. Currently working for a public television station in northern California, her ultimate goals are to write young adult novels and to learn to surf. E-mail her at stephd711@hotmail.com.

  Rosephine Fernandes is a thirteen-year-old student from Bahrain. She can’t live without shopping, sports, drama, her friends and family. She enjoys all her subjects in school except math. Rosephine makes the most of life and takes every opportunity to make a difference because her teenage years are unlike any other.

  Ashleigh Figler-Ehrlich found inspiration for her story in her mother, who continues to be her champion. When Ashleigh was eight, she purchased her first horse, Soxy, and started her own tack-cleaning business. It is her dream to attend UCLA and work for NASA in the space division.

  Melinda Fillingim is a middle-aged therapist in Rome, Georgia, who goes around with her husband, David, singing songs and telling stories to anyone who will listen (usually church groups). Her daughter, Hope, who is sixteen, inspires many of these stories as she did when her mom had less wrinkles five years ago.

  Hattie Frost is a student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she is studying to become a special education teacher. She is actively involved in Alpha Phi Omega, a coed service fraternity, as well as many other organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys writing.

  Marcela Dario Fuentes attends Pennsylvania State University, where she is a student in the school of music. She enjoys playing her bassoon, traveling, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She plans to move back to her native Honduras and play in an orchestra there. Please e-mail her at fdw5001@psu.edu.

  Elizabeth Geocaris, age nine, is the African American model on the cover of Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul. She loves to dance and is part of a dance performance and competition team. Elizabeth also enjoys piano and tennis. She plans to attend college and become a dancer and choreographer.

  Kacy Gilbert-Gard is a seventh-grader from Fairbanks, Alaska, who enjoys writing fiction stories and poems. She likes playing soccer, downhill skiing, swimming and hanging out with friends. She hopes to work with animals when she grows up.

  Cheryl L. Goede has been a police officer in Missouri for more than seven years. She works with teens and is an advisor in her department’s Police Explorer Post. She loves her job, even when she has to respond to calls for someone egging a house.

  Paula Goldsmith lives in Norfolk, England, and is a fulltime wife and mum of two sons and one daughter. She is a freelance writer and has recently branched out into photography. Her interests include the countryside, poetry, family outings and crafts. E-mail her at paula.goldsmith@ntlworld.com.

  Roxanne Gowharrizi is a senior in high school. She loves her family and friends and wants to thank them for being there and making her laugh. She has dreamed of being published in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book, and she thanks the publishers for making it come true.

  Tonya K. Grant is a teacher and freelance writer living in Lithonia, Georgia. She was eighteen when she wrote the poem “Dreams.” Now, at thirty-four, she has been published in various magazines and is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

  Alison Gunn received her bachelor of arts degree, with a double major in writing and English, from the University of Victoria in 2004. She loves writing and her many adventures with her husband, Mike Sheehan, and puppy, Nila. Alison can be reached at alisheehan@yahoo.com.

  Angelica Haggert is fifteen years old and enjoys swimming, playing baseball and doing scouting activities. After high school, she plans to be a teacher or to work with children in some way.

  Cynthia M. Hamond has been published numerous times in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and Multnomah’s Stories for the Heart. Her stories have been in major publications, magazines and King Features Syndication. She has received writing recognitions, and two of her stories have been on TV. E-mail her at Candbh@aol.com.

  Pamela Hamalainen began writing poems and short stories when she was twelve years old. She resides with her husband in Georgia, where she works as an information specialist. She has two children and three grandchildren and plans to submit her book of inspirational poems for publication.

  Penny S. Harmon is a real estate agent in Maine. She enjoys spending time with her two teenaged children and hopes to travel the country while continuing to write.

  Kathy Lynn Harris grew up amid the flatlands of south Texas. She now lives along the Continental Divide in Colorado. She has completed two novels and published nonfiction, poetry, short fiction and essays. Discover more of her work at www.kathylynnharris.com. She’d love to hear from you via kathy@kathy lynnharris.com.

  Ashleigh E. Heiple is a sophomore in high school, is a member of the swim team and track team, and is a majorette in the marching band. She enjoys performing in school musicals and spending time with her family and friends. She would like to attend the University of Pittsburgh and major in medicine.

  Bethany Gail Hicks is attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, majoring in English. She enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, swimming, and listening to music. She plans on becoming a high school English teacher and eventually return to school for a master’s degree in library science.

  Sarah Hood, thirteen, enjoys reading and writing stories and plans to be an author. She also likes swimming and skiing, and she loves her friends and family.

  Tasha R. Howe received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside. She is currently a developmental psychology professor at Humboldt State University in California. Tasha loves reading, writing, exploring nature, traveling and music of all kinds.

  Leigh Hughes lives in Texas with her husband and three children and is the editor-in-chief/publisher of the literary journal edifice WRECKED. Her work has appeared in NFG Magazine, Word Riot, The Glut, Gator Springs Gazette, Underground Voices, Sexy Stranger #5 and Moondance, as well as
several other online and print venues, and is forthcoming in BOOM! For Real, Volume 2 and VOX. She can be reached at rleighhughes@yahoo.com.

  Monica Marie Jones received her bachelor of arts with honors in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University and her masters of social work from the University of Michigan. The program director of a nonprofit youth center, Monica enjoys writing, dancing and acting, event planning, traveling, and modeling. She is writing three novels and a poetry book series. E-mail her at monicamjones@hotmail.com.

  Elizabeth Kay Kidd is in seventh grade and is a cheerleader and a member of her school choir. She enjoys reading and writing and is an avid snowboarder. She loves to be with friends and is a good big sister. Elizabeth loves school and is looking forward to high school.

  Katelyn Krieger is fourteen years old and loves writing, singing, dancing and reading. She writes lyrics to her own songs, and in the future, she hopes to write a book.

  Kayla K. Kurashige is a freshman in high school on the Big Island of Hawaii. She enjoys writing, playing sports and going to the beach. Kayla dedicates her story in loving memory of her best friend, Ku’ulei Kauhaihao.

  Mary Laufer is a freelance writer living in Forest Grove, Oregon. She wrote “The Bust Developer” at forty-six, when she was finally far enough away from the experience to see humor in it. She is currently finishing a children’s chapter book about a girl and her crow.

  Kathryn Lay has had over 1,000 articles and stories published in magazines and anthologies. Her first children’s novel, Crown Me!, is available from Holiday House books. Check out her Website at www.kathrynlay.com to learn about her book, writing classes, speaking and school visits. E-mail rlay15@aol.com.

  Vivian Ling, thirteen, enjoys Maroon 5, Harry Potter, Vanessa Carlton, and The Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens series by Tamora Pierce. She is known at her school as vice president, a starter on the volleyball team, concertmaster of the orchestra and someone who falls off of chairs daily.

  Laurie Lonsdale of Toronto, Canada, is the author of several women’s fiction novels, such as Neon Nights, Hollywood Blues, Wild Side and the upcoming Four of Hearts. She enjoys music, travel and interior design. To view more of her work, please visit authorsden.com/laurielonsdale.

  Karin A. Lovold resides in Minnesota with her husband and three daughters. She loves writing, reading and spending time in the beautiful woods of northern Minnesota. She’s currently working on two novels and several short stories. E-mail her at kal3860@chartermi.net.

  Sammi Lupher is an eighth-grader who is involved in cheerleading and is the student council president at her school. Sammi plans to attend college and pursue a career in performing.

  Sammie Luther is a freshman in high school and enjoys chatting on the Internet, hanging out with friends and, like any other fifteen-year-old girl, going to the mall. Samantha hopes to major in psychology and become a psychology teacher.

  Katherine Anne Magee, a senior in high school, wrote “The Day I Gave My Panties Away” for her ninth-grade English class. Katherine plans to pursue an honors degree in science and hopes to have a career related to mathematics or geriatric medicine.

  Zainab Mahmood is an eighth-grade student in Bahrain. She enjoys reading, movies, playing basketball, tennis, acting and, of course, writing. She’d like to say a big “Hey, I’m in a book!” to all her friends and family. Zainab plans to be a journalist or an author. Meanwhile, she enjoys her life just being a normal preteen girl.

  Emily Malloy graduated from Michigan State University with an English degree. She was previously a monthly columnist carried by Blue Jean Online and Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Services. Since writing her story, she has been blessed to marry the man who counted to three for her.

  Melanie Marks was born and raised in California. She is married to a U.S. Naval officer and blessed with three amazingly terrific kids. She writes for many children and young adult magazines, and her first teen novel is The Dating Deal. You can e-mail her at bymelaniemarks@comcast.net.

  Stephanie Marquez is an eighth-grader who enjoys playing the viola and dancing with Dy.Nam.X Dance Entertainment and teaching fifth- and sixth-grade dance with Kids Edition. She also likes cooking with her father and shopping with her mother, and she loves life!

  Nydja K. Minor is a seventh-grade honor student who comes from a large family. She enjoys creative writing, reading and basketball. She has two dogs, Lady and Kika. Nydja plans to become a writer.

  Lindsay Oberst is a senior and will be attending the University of Georgia this fall. She enjoys reading books and writing and has been published several times. She also enjoys shopping and having fun with her friends.

  Samantha Ott is an eighth-grader who enjoys cheerleading, performing in musicals and dancing. She loves working with children and hopes someday to be an editor for a successful fashion magazine.

  Melanie Pastor is a kindergarten teacher in southern California with a masters in education from Pepperdine University. She is publishing a children’s book entitled Wishes for One More Day, about the death of a grandparent. She loves inline skating, swimming, skiing and traveling. Contact her at joy@gettingmail.com.

  Satya Pennington is a national Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards winner for poetry who is currently coauthoring a young adult book. Published in several newspapers and magazines, she wants to become a medical broadcast journalist after high school—but until then, she is a teenage advice columnist in the local newspaper.

  Michelle Peters, now an adult, vividly remembers the “Hair Horror” that occurred when she was thirteen. She operates her own business, SnomobileWear.com, which manufactures snowsuits designed for those confined to wheelchairs. Michelle was published in the Cup of Comfort series and writes a weekly journal for the parenting Website BabyCenter.com.

  Rachel Punches graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central in 2002 and is now serving our country in the U.S. Army National Guard. Spc. Punches was deployed in October 2004 to Taji, Iraq, with the Transportation Unit. She enjoys reading, writing and watching movies.

  Khristine J. Quibilan was born in the Philippines and moved to California when she was five years old. She is pursuing a bachelor of arts in psychology at the University of San Francisco. When she isn’t busy with school and extracurricular activities, she enjoys life by working out and spending time with family and friends.

  Mina Radman, thirteen, lives with her mother, father and younger brother. She enjoys hanging out with friends, music, movies, TV and surfing the Internet. Mina hopes to be an actress when she grows up.

  Barbara J. Ragsdale majored in music education and English in college, plays piano and organ, and has directed children’s choirs. She is a certified aerobics instructor for both land and water exercise and works for a company that specializes in custom-made ocular prosthesis for children and adults. Please e-mail her at barbara@lragsdale.com.

  Paige Rasmussen is a sixth-grade student who is involved in water polo, piano and track. She enjoys reading and being with her family and friends. Paige plans to attend college and play water polo professionally.

  Bethany Rogers is a graduate of Middlebury College and Princeton Theological Seminary and has worked as a freelance writer for more than three years. Bethany lives in Denver, Colorado,with her husband and her dog, Duke.

  Kim Rogers earned a bachelor’s in journalism/public relations from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1993. She resides in Oklahoma with her wonderful husband and two rambunctious boys. She enjoys traveling, kickboxing and running. She is working on her first novel for teen girls. Please e-mail her at kkrest1996@yahoo.com.

  Hope Rollins is an eighth-grader who enjoys writing, acting and being with her friends and family.

  Gabby Romanello, one of the cover girls, is a fifth-grader who has a passion for dance. She is on a dance performance team and also competes solo. Gabby enjoys acting, singing, writing songs, reading and sewing. She is a straight A student whose goal is to attend the Orange County High School of the Arts, and hopefu
lly one day, Juilliard.

  Lauren Alyson Schara, nineteen, lives with her family in Indiana. She enjoys reading and writing—especially poetry. She loves all types of music and attends music festivals every summer with her friends. She loves to travel and be adventurous.

  Chloe Scott, a fourteen-year-old from Canada, is a stereotypical bookworm, which has led to her love of writing. She also loves the ocean, dance and golf, and dreams of becoming a successful author.

  Christina Shaw, fifteen, a sophomore in high school, plans to attend college, where she will study psychology or education. She enjoys singing, running and dancing.

  Lahre Shiflet is a thirteen-year-old cartoonist from northern California. Her work has been featured in other Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and she has had her own cartoon strip in the local newspaper for more than a year. Lahre enjoys shopping at the mall and checking out the guys.

  Brittany Shope, seventeen, has always dreamed of being a writer who writes something meaningful to others. Aside from writing, she wants to create her own primetime television show. She enjoys her job at a local pizza restaurant, and her favorite hobby is blowing bubbles.

  Robin Sokol received her bachelor of arts and masters of communication from the University of Dubuque. She is an IT technician for a quarry company in eastern Iowa. Robin has three children who she enjoys spending time with, and she likes to write mysteries in her spare time. E-mail her at rsokol@dbq.edu. Diane Sonntag is an elementary school teacher and freelance writer. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband and two young children. She can be reached at Rydeej@sbcglobal.net.

  Morri Spang started writing as soon as she knew the alphabet. But only after retiring from a twenty-five-year teaching career did she devote time to writing pieces she’d let others read. Published in several youth and parent’s magazines, Morri is now completing a young adult novel. Reach her at mospang@aol.com.