Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul IV: Stories of Life, Love and Learning

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul #4

by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Kimberly Kirberger

We all have a story to tell. We often judge our own stories as being good or bad, right or wrong. The truth is, each and every one of them not only holds meaning for us but for those around us as well. Chicken Soup for The Teenage Soul IV is filled with such stories: what it really means to be a teenager in today's world. Are you having a tough time with your best friend? Trying to get your crush to notice you? Recovering from a heart-wrenching breakup? Are you dealing with something even more difficult, like coping with the death of someone you love? Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul IV shows you that you're not alone. You'll see yourself in these stories filled with compassion, love and wisdom from teens who have made it through the hard times and triumphed. These are real stories about real life you won't want to put down 'til you've read the last page.

Genres: Nonfiction, Inspirational, Short Stories, Self Help, Anthologies, Middle Grade, High School

337 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.

Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.

Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.

Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.

Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.

Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.

Reviews

[Lala BooksandLala]

my 2003-inspired reading vlog https://youtu.be/PBCF96Jelaw

[Ashley]

#55
Borrowed from the library.

FS: "Here's to the friend that you've outgrown, the one whose name is left unknown."
LS: N/A

[Angel (Bradford) Tweed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all.the positive stories

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like short stories especially the ones from Chicken Soup because it really tells you what is going on outside. Sometimes, it makes me feel that I am really lucky, and sometimes it inspires me to try my best. One story that got stuck in my mind was the story where this person's dad was really popular in his town, and everyone would call the person his father's son instead of his name. He got really annoyed, and he wanted people to call his name instead thus he doesn't really talk to his dad. However, one day when he was stuck, someone recognized him as that person's son and helped him. Then he was proud that he was his father's son. These stories really show the experiences people encounter in life, sometimes it reminds me of myself. I really like these stories because they are very personal,and you are able to feel the author's feelings.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books. Chicken Soup has always made me cry because in it are people's stories and i find that i can relate to some, whereas others are so inspiring, and touching that i cry [which i don't do often:]. I've always been a sucker for stories that talk about real life experiences and how they are overcome. Chicken Soup is definitely something you should read on a cold winter night along with some hot chocolate with marshmellows on top. Chicken Soup has never failed to amaze me with their stories and i always read them for comfort, fun or simply for inspiration. Chicken Soup is something everybody should read, be it young or old, woman or man, girl or boy. Take some time, five minutes even, and flip to the first story and read. You won't even realize that you've finished until you reach the very last word on the very last page. Trust me, you won't regret reading Chicken Soup. x]

[Courtney Chappell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s amazing how much your likes change in a couple of years. When I first read this as a teen, I was delighted with the stories and loved the book. Now, reading it as an adult, I am not quite as intrigued as I originally was.

[behsforensics]

Cutting is for The Bully
By Cheryl Costello-Forshey

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book of the series. It is written by many teenage authors or adult authors and they discussed about a signficant moment of their life, where they found love, faced obstacles, overcoming obstacles and learning new lessons. Again, it is a very inspirational book. I enjoy reading these book because every story teach me a lesson. These lessons act like a reminder for me whenever I encounter similar problems. Besides learning new lessons, I feel like I am making new friends after each stories because each of these stories talked about the most inner feelings of someone and when someone shares these inner feelings, it means that they treat you as friends and I find it very amazing and interesting.

[Trevor Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally finished this Chicken Soup book and it was just as good as the other books I've read in this series. I noted in my updates that there were a few stories that stood out to me. The writing was good and the messages were all inspirational and didn't feel preachy. But a big detractor was that some of the stories were not particularly memorable and some seemed to repeat messages found in other books of the Chicken Soup series. But regardless of this complaint, this was a solid Chicken Soup book with everything that makes the series appealing. If you're a fan of inspirational books, this is one you should give a look.

Pros: The good writing, the messages present in the stories, and the memorable stories.
Cons: The unmemorable stories.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are numerous stories in Chicken Soup for the teenage soul IV that describes different experiences and obstacles in different ways. I remember one of the stories that describes about education, where student expresses his feelings towards the rejection of his dream school. Even though he was rejected, but he never gave up his dreams. He decided to take one year off from school after high school graduation, and he decides to find a job at his dream coolege to get recognition. After what he has gone through, he finally get accpeted from his dream coollege. I would recommend this book to readers who likes to read short memoirs.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

(this is the last chicken soup book I'm going to read and post up)

This is the last of the series "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul" this is the 4th volume and this volume is the best out of all four. In this volume it focuses deeper in what teenagers gone through in their lives. How painful, forgetful, and some memories that some teenagers will remember forever. I personally can relate to most the stories in this book because i experienced pain (how it feels to be teased/made fun of etc.), and thing i would rather forget. Out of all these four books i can relate to this one the most.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favorites. Everyone thinks that they have it bad at times, and so did I until I read what some of these people had to go through to get to where they are today! I would recomend this book to others, so they can open their eyes and see that there are problems that are worse than not having shoes to match your outfit or not being able to start a football game! So read it because you really wont regret it!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chicken soup for the teenage soul IV really captures what teenagers today are feeling and thinking. The stories shared in the book are about love, friendships, family, and tough situations that show young adults that they aren't alone. I read the earlier version of this book when I was a teen and I loved it then and love the new ones now. Reading about others having the same issues as well as how other people deal with tough situations is very inspirational.

[Keisha (keisha_reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chicken Soup for the Soul are my standard go to easy/take your time read. I really enjoy that I can read the stories at my own pace. I never feel like I'm in a rush since there are not really chapters to finish. There are always great stories in each book that give you unique outlooks on other peoples lives, and make you appreciate what you have in yours. I will forever be a Chicken Soup for the Soul fan, keep them coming!!

[Stephanie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is all about real stories. It is about how teenagers struggle through problems but solve them. Everyone gets problems like these and they help you know how to solve them. You learn alot about what you are going to go through. It is really interesting and i think lots of people would like the book!

[Daineen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul IV" by Jack Canfield was an amazing book. This book taught lessons & gave you advice for being a great friend. I recommend this book to everyone because this book never gets boring and you can learn from it. I don't want to give away anything but if you consider reading it take it in your everyday life,learn from theses lessons.

[Muggle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like the rest of the chicken soup for the soul books, it is full of inspirational, motivating stories, that help people constantly get through rough times. Or, help people realize that they don't have it that bad, and that they can keep going. For this, I think that out of the many books I've read, I think that this is one of the ones most worthy of being read.

[Kellie Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very good. I like reading the different stories of true events of the lifes of teenagers. These stories are easy to relate to and you can really learn from some of them. This book keeps you reading and interested.

[Sade]

I have always been interested in reading a chiken soup... book but I'm not much of a reader and don't deside to read on my own. on the other hand alot of my friends have and have told me that i have too read it.

[Donna Ledesma · Rating 3 out of 5]

More or less it's five years ago when I read this. It was fine, I was able to empathize with the stories. Some were even heartbreaking. Lots of lessons to learn. But I can recall during that time wanting to read stories with more twists and incredible scenes.

[gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love for these books are never ending. I will probably make my kids read them. I wish my parents would read them. They help you to understand so much more and broaden your view of life. I await number V, if there is one...

[Putu The · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like reading books.. But I love this one...

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation to the series of Chicken Soup for Teenage Soul books.

[Daydreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book 5 stars

[♥Bree♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the chicken soup books but the teenage soul are the best .

[Colonel Roy Mustang (er...Bean.) · Rating 5 out of 5]

deprssing but very enlightening and spiritual

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stopped reading in the middle of it. Thought it was going to be an inspiring book ended up being stories about how awful these teenagers lives were. I want an encouraging book.

[Theo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good And it had good stories but its a little above me. I think i will like it more when im a teen.
This was a good book but i just didn't like it as much as i thought i would.

[Zoey M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great collection of stories. They are very inspiring and I love to read them. I can't recommend a better book for the teenage soul as it were. Great stories for teens.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chicken soup for the soul. The title says everything doesn't it? Always a book to make you feel better, gives good advice