Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul: Stories of Faith, Love, Inspiration and Hope

by Jack Canfield (Compiler), Mark Victor Hansen, Kimberly Kirberger

For teens who make God an integral part of their lives, teens who are sorting through doubts about whether God really cares about them, and teens who don't know God at all, Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul may be one of the most influential books they'll ever read. These stories about love, friendship, forgiveness, making a difference, courage, dating (and lots more) show how God is at work in teenagers' lives. Teens share stories about how God has given them the courage to cope with the tough stuff, the joy to live a fulfilling life, the strength to persevere when they feel alone, and the love and confidence they need to feel good about themselves. This very special volume will also help them to use other teens' experiences to build a stronger relationship with God. For teens tempted to use drugs, alcohol or other substances, Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul can be a lifeline to God. They will know that God cares what they think when it feels as if no one else does, and that He loves them no matter what.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Inspirational, Teen, Christianity, Short Stories, Anthologies

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

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

[Saba · Rating 5 out of 5]

NICE INDEED!

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

The poems are my favorite part. Hate to see it end

[John Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

While multiple stories in this collection were worthy of a five star rating (or even higher), others, in my opinion, fell short of stylistic and literary perfection. A friend of mine uses a two number rating system that I feel would better express my overall opinion of this work than the standard five star system. My friend uses a 'two' to mean that you were satisfied enough with the experience to repeat it again, while a 'one' signifies that you would pass up the opportunity were it offered again. Interestingly, he often uses this system to evaluate culinary experiences. Analogically applying his system to literary criticism, I would wholeheartedly bestow a 'two' upon this collection as a whole. Several of the stories moved me to tears as I momentarily walked along side the joys and sorrows of young people who struggled to find meaning, strength, and hope in an at time confusing and cacophonous adult world. For those who turn to him, God is eager to not only bring meaning, but to turn discord into harmony; the greatest example of which is the crucifixion of his only son for the salvation of the world. Chicken soup is a homeopathic remedy or pick me up for common sicknesses, while empathy, compassion, and faith lead to spiritual healing for the soul. I pray that this book may lead young people to find meaning and hope and companionship in the Lord!

[Tayna Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this. I wish I had found this book when I too was a teenager. This was a beautiful experience and I will be sharing this with other Christians in my life, especially teenagers. The book talks about love, life, death, hope, fear, and all in all, shares the glory of God through the eyes of the young. It’s nice to see (read) so many people at such a young age devote their lives to Christ and to be proud to share it. Glory be to God

[Solana · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stories in this book were so inspiring. I laughed and I cried. It helped me feel so loved and get closer to God.

[Joan Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed rereading my very first Chicken Soup for the Soul book. Even years later it still has a few super meaningful stories even now as an adult.

[Shelbylynn Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read through this book multiple times it helps me so much. I had gotten it after my mom died when I was 17 and I still like to read it

[Erica Willemsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would have unfortunately.

[Hayden Allard · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Christian teen, I hadn’t realized how relatable and real this book is until now! My mom had gifted me this about a year or two ago because she read it when she was about my age. I didn’t completely understand it, but I loved the humor and awkwardness. It made me feel more comfortable knowing that others deal with these things as well. But like I said, once it sunk it and I re-read a few parts of the book a bit ago, I realized how nice of a book this was! And there are quite a few stories about Christianity as a teen, and they teach a lot of life lessons that many teens may not know how to get through. I definitely recommend!!

[Maddyjayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because I saw it lying on my shelf in my room and I thought it would be a perfect book to read for short stories category. The reason why I chose to read the short stories that I did was because the titles stood out to me and while reading them I could really relate them to my life. The category that this book fits into on the bingo board is 'a book of short stories(read and comment on at least three stories)' I didn't really find this category very interesting but it was a good change for me I think. But I did find the stories that i read very interesting. My favorite quote from one of the short stories is "Be yourself. Who else is better qualified?" It is my favorite because it true!! Even though I have been brought up in a Christian home and I do have different morals to my friends. I still try my best to fit in. I learnt that it is best to be yourself and not try to be like others also to never judge someone!! A character on one of the short stories was really interesting to me was because she was deaf. She hated when people stared at her ( when she did sign language) because she always thinks that she Is weird or disabled but in the end the person who was staring at her. Apologized in sign language and asked to be friends!! ( thanks to all my friends!! I love you all)

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying: this is not my type of book at all. It happened to be on my bookshelf, and I grabbed it and stuffed it into my bag as we hastily made our way to the car to drive to Phoenix. I suppose I didn't expect myself to finish the first book I had brought, but I did in the first day so I moved on to the next book, this one.


Honestly, I wouldn't consider this a book, it is more an assortment of tiny stories brought together into one meeting place: this so-called "book". It's really just about tons and tons of heartfelt stories, all true, that relate to God and miracles and amazing things that have come as a result of prayer. There are some stories that stuck out to me, and even one of then made me cry! I'm not a hugely religious person, so that's why I said it's not my type, but it really solidified my faith in God and made me look at certain things differently.


The reason why I merely rated this "book" 3 stars is because as I said earlier, it is not my type, and also because I just wanted the boo k to end already so I could move on to actual books, 300 pages of one story, not 2!


This book was a great Christian book though, and even made me really thankful for the things I have in life and the people. :)


Overall rating: 3 stars

[Melissa Landers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I bought it yesterday for my best friend for Christmas. She'll love it. I read the whole thing, although it's not exactly my type of book, just to make sure she'd like it. Here's to hoping she does! :)

[Krstina · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were many themes to this book, but basically the main theme was to trust in God. I think these stories were very interesting I loved them a lot ! & I like this series of books :)

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love all chicken soup books and this one was especially amazing. alot of the stories really spoke to me :)

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!! I love all of the stories. They're so feel good and nice.

[Aizel sulinap · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful and inspiring

[Kellyann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book;) loved it;) the last chapter meant allot to me, i connected all the way through, but especially on this chapter;)

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

[Katie (BooksRUs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading this book - so inspiring!