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Stories for a Teen's Heart: Over One Hundred Stories to Encourage a Teen's Soul
Alice Gray has compiled 110 inspirational stories that are sure to touch the hearts of teens in this title in the bestselling Stories for the Heart series. Through an even blend of humorous, often poignant tales, teens will be encouraged in life's journey and reassured that they are not alone on the road to becoming adults. Many popular CBA authors offer valuable insights into the human condition in a manner that is warm and uplifting. Stories for a Teen's Heart will revitalize the spirits of young people.
345 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 20, 2020
This book warmed my heart! ❤️
I'd never read a Chicken Soup for the Soul book, but I am so thankful this one came into my hands. I would read 1-2 short stories from this book each night, and it was the perfect thing to relax my mind and allow me to reflect on God's goodness. Some of the stories made me grin in pure joy and others made my heart break, but they're the kind of emotions that are untainted by the world- genuine and sincere and real.
I will definitely keep an eye out for more treasures like this book from now on!
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1
I'd never read a Chicken Soup for the Soul book, but I am so thankful this one came into my hands. I would read 1-2 short stories from this book each night, and it was the perfect thing to relax my mind and allow me to reflect on God's goodness. Some of the stories made me grin in pure joy and others made my heart break, but they're the kind of emotions that are untainted by the world- genuine and sincere and real.
I will definitely keep an eye out for more treasures like this book from now on!
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1
October 18, 2012
TWO THUMBS UP for Alice Gray. This book is one of a kind. Inspiration and yet true to the heart teen stories :)
October 26, 2013
Very inspirational. Everyone can relate and can touch anyone's heart. ♥
December 9, 2013
I think Alice Gray's purpose of writing this book was to open teenagers eyes to other peoples feelings, and to write stories that poeple can relate too. One story may make you laugh and one may make you cry, but they are all great stories.
I think the theme of this book was kind of all over the place. One story would be energizing and then another would bring tears to you eyes. I think the all around theme of this book, though, would be relatable because with the wide variety of stories almost everyone can relate to at least one story.
Since this book was a whole bunch of stories there was no definite style of the stories, but there is a style of the overal book. The set up is in sections like famiily, inspiration, and friends. In each section there would be a series of books in each relating to the main topic. After one section would finish with its last story the begining of the next section would have a "title page" telling you the next topic and would have some sort of quote or memory of the authors past or present life.
My opinion of this book would be it was great. I really liked the idea of how it wasn't just one plot and one book it was just a whole bunch of different stories put together in one book. It made it eiser to read as well because unlike a regular book where its in chapters, each story was around a page or two so instead of trying to read a whole chapter with a little bit of time to spare and having stop in the middle of the chapter, if you are waiting at the end of class or something you can just pick up the book and read a story before the bell rings. I would suggest this book because like I said the stories are short which makes it eaiser to read but also because if you are wanting to read a book but don't have a lot of time, instead of reading a full book and wanting to finish it to know what happens at the end but you don't have the time to, you can read this book so you read a story or two a day or however you plan because it only takes a minitue or two to read each story. Also some people may not want to read this because real books have a better plot and more suspense or details and things like that, but even though these stories are short they are really good. Just because a story is short doesn't mean you cant get anything out of it.
I think the theme of this book was kind of all over the place. One story would be energizing and then another would bring tears to you eyes. I think the all around theme of this book, though, would be relatable because with the wide variety of stories almost everyone can relate to at least one story.
Since this book was a whole bunch of stories there was no definite style of the stories, but there is a style of the overal book. The set up is in sections like famiily, inspiration, and friends. In each section there would be a series of books in each relating to the main topic. After one section would finish with its last story the begining of the next section would have a "title page" telling you the next topic and would have some sort of quote or memory of the authors past or present life.
My opinion of this book would be it was great. I really liked the idea of how it wasn't just one plot and one book it was just a whole bunch of different stories put together in one book. It made it eiser to read as well because unlike a regular book where its in chapters, each story was around a page or two so instead of trying to read a whole chapter with a little bit of time to spare and having stop in the middle of the chapter, if you are waiting at the end of class or something you can just pick up the book and read a story before the bell rings. I would suggest this book because like I said the stories are short which makes it eaiser to read but also because if you are wanting to read a book but don't have a lot of time, instead of reading a full book and wanting to finish it to know what happens at the end but you don't have the time to, you can read this book so you read a story or two a day or however you plan because it only takes a minitue or two to read each story. Also some people may not want to read this because real books have a better plot and more suspense or details and things like that, but even though these stories are short they are really good. Just because a story is short doesn't mean you cant get anything out of it.
June 28, 2010
Really great stories in this one...very easy to read, very uplifting. A great book to give as a gift to any teen.
June 29, 2015
Let me preface this by saying that I have a painfully clear understanding that I am not now and have never been the target audience for this book. I embrace cynicism like a lover and have very little patience with warm and fuzzy story snippets, and I had even less patience when I was a teen and someone gave this to me out of a misinformed understanding of teenagedom. So from that part of me comes the criticism that the saccharine level of this book is alarmingly high, as well as the comment that many of the stories could use some good editing (and not just the ones written by the teens). I'm quite glad that I didn't read this until now as an adult because, frankly, I would have seen this as impossibly patronizing when I was a teen.
That said, I am reading this as an adult, and my one soft spot recognizes that this is a charming collection of warm fuzzy snippets. I'm not in any universe going to hang on to this, because it's still true that many of the stories need editing and some of them are so short or so heavily excerpted (from things like graduation speeches) that it's hard to figure out the point. And, being a collection, it's also true that some of the stories are crap and some are genuinely delightful--I'll admit that there are a handful I'll keep for future sermons or something.
I think the biggest thing, though, is that the prevailing theme is that things will be okay if you just want that badly enough; teens don't have it that badly because look, look at all the blessings you have...and I've never at any age been able to handle that message, let alone as a teen. So many of these Chicken Soup-era books gloss pain as though it's soemthing to be overcome with hope and fairy dust, and while I agree that we shouldn't wallow in misfortune and that teens definitely have the tendency to think the world is going to end because their cars won't start or something, I really dislike reinforcing the notion that you'll grow out of things being wrong or that you're in some way "too blessed to be stressed" because you're a kid. Teenagedom is real and has real problems that really suck, and I dislike stuff that downplays that.
But, like I said, I'm not at all the target audience. If you like warm fuzzies, this will foot the bill nicely.
That said, I am reading this as an adult, and my one soft spot recognizes that this is a charming collection of warm fuzzy snippets. I'm not in any universe going to hang on to this, because it's still true that many of the stories need editing and some of them are so short or so heavily excerpted (from things like graduation speeches) that it's hard to figure out the point. And, being a collection, it's also true that some of the stories are crap and some are genuinely delightful--I'll admit that there are a handful I'll keep for future sermons or something.
I think the biggest thing, though, is that the prevailing theme is that things will be okay if you just want that badly enough; teens don't have it that badly because look, look at all the blessings you have...and I've never at any age been able to handle that message, let alone as a teen. So many of these Chicken Soup-era books gloss pain as though it's soemthing to be overcome with hope and fairy dust, and while I agree that we shouldn't wallow in misfortune and that teens definitely have the tendency to think the world is going to end because their cars won't start or something, I really dislike reinforcing the notion that you'll grow out of things being wrong or that you're in some way "too blessed to be stressed" because you're a kid. Teenagedom is real and has real problems that really suck, and I dislike stuff that downplays that.
But, like I said, I'm not at all the target audience. If you like warm fuzzies, this will foot the bill nicely.
October 18, 2015
Here are inspiring stories that will touch the heart of any teen. Whether you’re looking for a story about love, need a good laugh. Or just want an encouraging word, you’ll find it in this captivating collection of timeless treasures. Stories for a teen’s heart are about real-life struggles and joys. I laughed, cried, and was encouraged, understood, and “Lived” with the people in the stories. There are so many different subjects that everyone will find something to relate to his or her own life.
October 3, 2007
I really liked this book, it had some GREAT, and creepy stories.
October 13, 2025
Some stories were great! Obviously some stories were better than others.
It has stories of Jessie Owens being discriminated against by Nazis and people being murdered in Auschwitz.
The worst story was supposed to be humorous, but it used the slur “N3gr0” twice — which was fine back when it was written, but that’s a slur now.
It has stories of Jessie Owens being discriminated against by Nazis and people being murdered in Auschwitz.
The worst story was supposed to be humorous, but it used the slur “N3gr0” twice — which was fine back when it was written, but that’s a slur now.
January 11, 2021
Absolutely marvelous stories for any teen or adult too sure...very deep but powerful stories of how they made such a difference in many situations involving hurting and suicidal teens, integrity and honesty etc...
August 9, 2023
good and inspiring indeed
August 27, 2026
Dnf after 10 pages :/
December 3, 2016
This book is so sweet! It made me tear up a little, and moved me once in a while. Sure, some of it was cheesy, but for the most part, it was actually really beautiful. I wish all teens would read this.
December 15, 2010
Inspiring. Every story made me smile for minutes.
February 18, 2013
i appreciate the effort of collecting those stories..but i didnt find it good,i mean a very good stories that is worth reading..some were quite boring..no offense meant.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews